Behavior support for dogs and guardians with big feelings
Online Dog Training & Behavior Consulting
You’ve been there, done that with local dog trainers.
You took a class, had a stranger come into your home, or maybe even sent your dog off for a few weeks with the promise of all your problems going away.
Nothing helped, life with your dog is still hard.
So you’re ready to give something new a try.
You’ve taken classes online and even met with your doctor virtually, so maybe you can find help for your dog online too?
The good news:
Online behavior support definitely works. Any behavior concern I’ve worked through in-person, I’ve worked through virtually. With virtual support for your dog, you can learn in an environment you and your dog are comfortable in and still see real progress.
The better news:
It’s time to get back to loving life with your dog.
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
*Credited towards first month of Dognitive Development Online Coaching
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 is an amazing trainer! They use fear-free techniques and they never pushed Essie to do anything she didn’t feel comfortable with.
Virtual sessions made it so much easier and relaxing for me and my chihuahua, Essie, to learn new skills.”
- Sophia, Essie’s guardian
Frequently Asked Questions
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Using a “membership” model for training provides a supportive structure for you and your dog to make real, lasting progress. Membership promotes consistency, while allowing me to offer truly individualized support every step of the way.
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Space in the membership is limited to ensure that I can provide as much support to each dog + human team as possible. Here’s the fine print:
All team forums are checked twice a day, five days a week
60 minutes (roughly) are scheduled each day for each team to check in, read your questions, and provide feedback on videos and updates
That 60 minutes may include time to research and create resources for you as needed — my current membership teams will tell you that I put my whole brain into every response and do my very best to give you actionable feedback
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The sky is the limit! I will do my best to provide thoughtful responses to questions about our current behavior plan, vet or pet sitter recommendations, where the best Pup Cup in your city is (I will find it), and everything in between.
I have a lot of existing resources, but it’s possible that I might need to do some research or create something for you (which I love doing!!!!). Sometimes this may take me a bit longer than a day, but I will let you know if a response may take some time!
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Dognitive Development membership is $900/month, or $2600/3 months.
I believe strongly that dog training and behavior support is a necessity, not a luxury. As such, I offer sliding scale and other payment options to help make my services accessible to those who need them.
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All dogs are individuals and every behavior plan is unique, so everyone’s time spent in the membership may be different. That said, I work with most teams consistently for at least three months. We will discuss your specific dog’s prognosis in more detail at your initial consultation.
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Yes! Dognitive Development teams get access to a growing library* of on-demand webinars and courses. Teams also get a 20% discount on all live courses.
*COMING SOON as of May 2026! I’m currently navigating fun technology things and figuring out how to smoothly get existing courses onto the membership platform.
