Specializing in Dog Behavior
Learn how to help your dog feel safe, confident, and understood while building important life skills through science-based, practical, and humane training.
Does your dog have a behavior challenge?
Learning new skills is a process and it should be motivating, fun, and safe for both you and your dog.
With 30 years of experience in dog behavior, I am passionate about helping people better understand their dogs. I will give you the tools, guidance, and support you need to build a stronger relationship with your dog and create meaningful, positive change.
Dog Behavior Services
I work with dogs across the full spectrum of behavior challenges, from mild concerns to more complex and severe cases.
- Dog reactivity
- People reactivity
- Fear-based behaviors
- Anxiety
- Startle responses
- Noise sensitivity
- Vet-related fear
- Dog-dog aggression
- People aggression
- Intra-dog conflict
- Resource guarding
Everyday Behavior Challenges
- Barking
- Impulse control
- Compulsive behaviors
- Apartment living challenges
Life Changes & Introductions
- New dog introductions
- Cat and dog introductions
- Preparing for a baby
- Helping a dog adjust to a new baby
Don’t see your dog’s behavior listed?
Every dog is different, and behavior doesn’t always fit neatly into a category. If you don’t see your dog’s behavior listed, reach out and let’s talk. I am happy to discuss your situation and determine how I can help.
Private Dog Behavior Consults
My goal is to help you build a meaningful, healthy relationship with your dog while giving you the knowledge, tools, and support you need to create positive change. A behavior consultation gives us the opportunity to look at the whole picture—not just the behavior you are seeing. I’ll consider your dog’s history, current environment, daily routines, interactions, and the factors that may be contributing to their behavior. Together, we’ll identify realistic goals and develop a personalized plan to help your dog learn new skills and feel more comfortable and successful in their everyday life. I provide practical guidance and ongoing support so you don’t have to navigate the process on your own. Depending on your dog’s needs, your goals, and the level of support you’re looking for, I offer different consultation packages.
Rescue & Shelter Dog Support
I am passionate about supporting the people who work tirelessly to rehabilitate and find loving homes for rescue dogs. I work with rescue groups and shelters to provide staff and volunteer training, foster and adopter support, behavior evaluations, safety assessments, and educational webinars. If your organization needs education, hands-on behavior support, or help developing and tracking behavior plans, I am here to help.
Are you ready to start a new chapter with your dog?
what our dog behavior clients say
After interviewing several trainers in the area, I immediately connected with Vivian. She's easy to talk to and has a great program for getting started. I explained to her that we simply didn't know what to do when our girls over reacted - something we had never learned from the other trainers. But even more importantly, she really understands how to positively encourage change rather than punish, which is something I was specifically looking for.
We just finished the Gold Program with Vivian and I am thrilled with our girls' progress. Vivian did a great job of assessing their issues, helping us understand what we can do to help them and then guiding us through the process to help them overcome their fears. Now, we can continue to practice with them. Their progress in such a short period of time has been nothing short of a miracle. Our girls are so much calmer and less reactive. We are truly grateful to Vivian and recommend her without reservation.