Behavior support for dogs and guardians with big feelings
In-Home Dog Training in Richmond, VA
You love your dog, but you just don’t get them sometimes.
You know they’re having a hard time, you just don’t know why.
Sometimes, you’re tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed — and sometimes, you feel guilty: for feeling those things, for not having a magic wand to “fix” your dog, for the things you think you might be doing to cause their struggles. I’ve been there too.
So you asked a friend, or maybe the internet…
And then you felt even more overwhelmed — there is so much information out there, and a lot of it is conflicting. You couldn’t quite put your finger on why, but some of that information felt icky.
The good news:
You ended up here. I know what it’s like to try to navigate the sea of dog training resources, and I know what it’s like to have a dog with big feelings — about other animals, people, the world.
The better news:
I can help you and your dog understand each other, and get back to loving life together.
Initial Consultation
90 minutes - $200
Dive deep into the current challenges you’re facing with your dog
Discuss why behavior happens, what dogs really need, and how to be the human your dog needs
Set realistic goals and formulate a plan to achieve them
Dognitive Development
Intensive training + support for dedicated dog guardians living with difficult dogs
Working with dogs who have complex behavior concerns requires consistency and intensive intervention. And, let’s be honest: significant emotional labor.
Dognitive Development exists to support you in all of these areas (and maybe more).
For as long as I’ve worked with dogs, I’ve been aware of a need for something more than the standard structure of every-other-week sessions and minimal (or no) communication in-between. I’ve seen slower progress, exhausted humans, and even exhausted trainers.
Dognitive Development offers the support I wished I had as a dog guardian, and the support I wish all people had when navigating life with complex dogs.
Personalized Coaching
Weekly training (up to 4x per month) to build practical skills for you and your dog.
These sessions may involve planning, addressing welfare concerns, skill-building or “real world” practice, all tailored your individual dog, lifestyle, and goals
Consistent Communication
Access to a private personalized forum for homework check-ins, unlimited video review, and discussion about dog life + training plans—5 days a week, because consistency is truly what makes the magic happen
Emotional Support + Community
We’re in this together, every step of the way. I’m here to support you just as much as I’m here to support your dog, because I know how tough life with a complex dog can be
You also gain access to a community forum with likeminded people who have been on this journey or are on it now. Your involvement with the community is up to you, but I’m here to tell you it takes a village and this community might be the easiest way to build that
“Sam has helped me so much with my sassy, reactive cattle dog, Claude. Claude gets to be an active participant in our training and he's learned so, so much, including how to communicate more effectively and settle himself down. Sam is an absolute gift.”
- Terra, Claude’s human