Languages: English, French, Russian Hello, I have 10+ years experience studying cognition and behavior and I'm a huge dog nerd! I really enjoy learning everything I can on topics from canine body language, to breed specific traits, behavioral modification & training, management, physiology and nutrition. My interest in animals and behavior led me to study neuroscience, doing research on addiction and brain reward systems as an undergraduate at the University of Florida and sensorimotor learning and memory in rats as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. I started learning about different dog training systems after adopting my first dog (Misha) in 2014 and subsequently fostering dogs, who had different behavioral problems (eg fear aggression, resource guarding). I soon realized that I find the application of learning theory and behavioral analysis to dog training as well as having the ability to directly help people have more enjoyable lives with their dogs, incredibly rewarding and decided to switch careers. At the same time, I also started dog walking and doing basic training through Rover. I now have one shepherd husky mix (Ella, 3 years old), who I adopted when she was 3 months old. Sadly, Misha passed away in February 2020. You can find a tribute to him here: youtu (dot) be/lhLOPzPS-wA I spend my free time going on hiking adventures, working on training, and making yummy home-cooked or raw meals. Ella has lots of experience with dogs of every age and size. She is calm and well behaved indoors, and loves running around outdoors chasing squirrels like it's her job :-). She enjoys spending time with other well-socialized dogs. I couldn't love them more if they were my children and I will take the same care with your dogs. Apart from walks, daycare and boarding, I also offer behavioral modification, training and consulting on routine management, behavior and nutrition. If you have a new puppy, newly adopted dog or are having behavioral challenges with your current dog, I can help! Training: I'd be happy to provide many more details on specific training protocols. You will receive detailed custom training plans & videos following each consultation and training sessions as well as unlimited email support. Briefly, I use marker-based training (both verbal markers and clicker training) paired with primary reinforcers such as food and toys/play for teaching and generalizing behaviors (operant conditioning). Successfully learning a cue requires: 1. building engagement/focus 2. learning the cue in a low distraction environment 3. Generalizing the cue by teaching/practicing it in different environments & situations 4. Adding distractions 5. Maintaining learning by incorporating the cue into daily routine Basic Pet Dog Vocabulary includes: Name, look, sit, down, come, heel, place, leave it, drop it, wait, let's go, speak, quiet, up, off Marker words: Good=duration Yes=terminal Ok=release Cues are all taught with an implicit stay, ie your dog will learn to sit until they hear the release word. *I can teach custom cues in any language that you prefer. Price: hourly rate: $60/hour and includes custom training plans and email support Initial consultation: 2-3hrs ($120-180). You will be asked to fill out a behavioral questionnaire prior to the first consultation. We will go through a custom training plan during the consultation and start training. After initial consultation: Packages: Include custom plans, homework and videos as well as email support between training sessions. Packages can include training sessions without the owner present, but must include sessions with the owner present. Sessions can be split between 2 dogs. Puppy Setup: $75 (2-3hrs) includes information on: Socialization, canine communication, crate training, management, intro to obedience, diet, health, play 3hrs (1-3 sessions): $153 (15% off hourly rate) 6hrs (2-6 sessions): $288 (20% off hourly rate) 3 sessions (up to 2hrs/session): $270 (25% off hourly rate) 6 sessions (up to 2hrs/session): $468 (35% off hourly rate) 10 sessions (up to 2hrs/session): $660 (45% off hourly rate) Training over Skype: Includes custom training plans, videos and email support between sessions: Initial consultation: $40/hour followup training $30/hour Board and Train: Includes training sessions with the owner after board and train. Lifetime email support, custom training plans and videos. Basic Manners/Skills 2-3 weeks: $70/day $980 - $1470 Basic Manners/Skills + behavior modification 4-6 weeks: $75/day $2100 - $3150 Grooming: Nail trim: $10 Bathing+brushing+blow dry: $45