Real Dogs. Real World. Real Training.

Nature & Nurture is a drop-in group class designed for clients building on foundational training or working through their dog’s reactivity. Whether your dog struggles with other dogs, people, noises, or overstimulation, this class offers a structured and supportive space to safely practice emotional neutrality and real-world behavior skills.

As a drop-in class, you’re welcome to attend as often as your schedule allows; weekly, monthly, or as needed. While regular attendance supports steadier progress, I understand that consistency varies with personal commitment as well as life’s demands.

This is one of my favorite classes to teach because it allows us to work on real-life behaviors in real time, without pressure and always at your dog’s pace. Unlike traditional obedience classes that focus on skills first, we begin with emotional regulation, trust-building, and responsive communication in challenging environments before requesting demands.

By creating positive associations, strengthening your bond, and developing practical tools to manage common triggers, you’ll begin to see meaningful, lasting change. My goal is always to help both you and your dog feel more confident, empowered, and connected, whether you’re reinforcing past work or taking the next step in managing reactivity.

In this class, you’ll participate in collective owner-and-companion training, focusing on:

• Communication and handling techniques

• Real-world safety protocols

• Successful advocacy for your dog in public spaces

Through structured handling exercises, we’ll work on:

• Loose leash walking

• Basic obedience skills

• Trigger interruption strategies and exit plans

• Navigating shared public spaces with confidence

Additional class components include:

• Physical and mental confidence-building activities to empower your dog and deepen your bond

• Exposure to a variety of people, dogs, and environments

• Relaxation and coping protocols to help your dog manage big feelings

• Engagement techniques to build sustained focus in distracting settings