Behavior problems like barking, lunging, or just not listening to your cues can make you lose sight of the joy in your relationship with your dog.
Our passion is sharing force-free strategies to help get you and your dog back on the same page.
Trainer Mara and her border collie, Booker.
I’m so happy you’re here! It means you want the best education for your dog, and training that has your dog’s happiness and well-being at heart.
While I love dogs of all kinds, I have a special passion for helping you see eye-to-eye with your high-energy dog. I know firsthand how loveable – but also challenging – these pups be!
Together, we’ll train the right skills and harness your dog’s natural talents for less mischief and more connection with you. I can’t wait to help you and your pup live your best life together!”
Mara is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and behavior consultant based in Orange County, CA, with over nine years of experience working with dogs and their families.
Her path to dog training began during her undergraduate studies in Animal Science at the University of Illinois. In her senior year of pre-vet studies, an internship with a dog trainer opened her eyes to the field of professional dog training.
Mara knew she wanted to go deeper, pursuing every resource available, from books and seminars to mentorships and hands-on experience, in search of the most effective and humane approaches the field had to offer. That pursuit led her to the certifications she holds today: a CTC with Honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers and her CPDT-KA title from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She continues to pursue ongoing education and is committed to translating the most current research into practical, meaningful results for the dogs and families she works with.
Mara is especially passionate about helping reactive dog owners find joyful moments with their dogs again, building confidence in dogs through K9 Nose Work, and working with high-drive breeds using positive reinforcement. In her free time, she trains in K9 Nose Work and agility with her husky mix Ciara and border collie Booker.
Certified in dog training, dog behavior, and client counseling by The Academy for Dog Trainers, one of the most rigorous and respected schools for professional dog trainers.
Certified for passing an independent exam and application process, demonstrating experience and mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices.
Certified by the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) to help dog guardians and their dogs to build partnership, confidence, and competition skills through the sport of K9 Nose Work.
A foundation in the science of animal behavior, physiology, and human-animal that informs everything we do for dogs and dog guardians.
Mara continually attends classes and seminars with other experts in her field, keeping up with the latest in dog behavior research and advances is animal training.
We emphasize positive reinforcement when teaching both dogs and people. We find the best progress happens when dogs are made to feel safe, their needs fulfilled, and learning is made fun.
Our philosophy and approach to training are informed by the science of dog behavior and animal learning. Current science shows what we also see in our work with dogs – that positive reinforcement is effective, builds your dog’s bond with you, and maximizes your dog’s well-being.
Positive reinforcement training (also known as “force-free” or “reward-based” training) focuses on setting dogs up to make good choices, rewarding dogs for behaviors we like, and teaching dogs an alternative behavior to replace ones that are less desirable.
In short: We change behavior by using things your dog enjoys – usually food, play, or access to other “life rewards”.
We also make sure that the dog’s needs are being addressed, such as exercise and mental stimulation.
To modify fear, anxiety, or aggression, we use positive association training (desensitization and classical conditioning). We orchestrate positive, gradual exposures to change how your dog feels about their stressors over time, addressing the actual underlying cause of anxious or aggressive behavior. This approach creates lasting progress and builds trust in you along the way.
Why positive training?:
Science suggests that reward-based training leads to the best training outcomes and best supports your dog’s physical and mental well-being. Learn more about why positive training is recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists here.
We use rewards (often food, toys, social reinforcement, and other “life rewards”) to promote desirable behaviors from your dog.
When other gear would be beneficial, such as a body harness, head halter, or muzzle for aggression cases, we make sure each dog is happy and comfortable wearing it before use.
We do not use nor recommend any aversive training tools or techniques (meaning things that motivate dogs through discomfort, fear, or pain). Common examples of these tools are prong collars, choke or pinch collars, or e-collars. Applying punishment or “corrections” in training increases stress, damages your relationship with your dog, and can increase risks of fear and aggression.
If you are open to a different way, we’re happy to chat about alternative approaches that are enjoyable for your dog at your Start Right Session.