Dog training for everyone.
I seek to make the world a better place through holistic training methods that improve your dog’s behavior and educate you on how to have the best dog ever! I cherish diversity. All dogs and all people are welcome.
Ethical, Holistic Dog Training
My mission is to produce well-trained canine citizens through Force Free options tailored to you and your unique dog. I help you understand what your dog needs to be their best self, and teach you the skills you must know to reinforce their good behavior throughout their lifespan. Force Free, Positive Reinforcement based training has been proven to be the most effective and efficient for any dog performing any task. This kind of training is not, as some believe, a ‘one size fits all’ or ‘cookie cutter’ approach, and will work regardless of your dog’s temperament or breed or issues.
Never resorting to choke, prong, or e-collars, I help you transform your dog into a better behaved pet, more proficient at living in a human world. This always includes teaching you to meet your dog’s needs as a dog. When a dog’s needs are met, they are better able to meet yours.
Along with private sessions, monthly workshops and classes, consultations are offered for those searching for their new dog or puppy, or getting ready to bring them home.
Force-Free Dog Training
My techniques are holistic, with the goals of producing a well-trained dog and improving your understanding of your canine companion.
Our Classes
Six-week classes and monthly one-hour workshops are designed to build your training skills and improve your dog’s behavior. You and your dog can take life’s challenges in stride by learning to work together as a team.
Private Sessions
Does your dog have a behavior issue you have not been able to solve? Dealing with leash reactivity, an out of control adolescent, or social awkwardness with people? I can help you with that and much more. If your particular problem isn’t listed, just ask. Chances are I can help.
Adoption Consultations
Many dogs are re-homed or returned to breeders and rescues, often because the breed, mix or even age when adopted just wasn’t the best fit for the family’s living situation. A failed adoption is heartbreaking. As a professional, I understand dogs from the inside out and can provide you with the insights and observations needed to make an informed choice.
No painful shock collars
No prong or choke collars
No forceful techniques
Kindness and compassion
Happy Dogs and Their Humans!
Anjali Balakrishna
“We cannot say enough glowing things about the Durham Dog Training Center!!!!! We sent our first dog, Bertha, to a Better than Obedience class when she was about a year, and it did WONDERS for her behavior and for ours too, as dog parents. Our little girl gets very excited around other dogs, and they made proper accommodations for her so that she could participate fully in the class without getting too distracted by the other dogs.”
Lisa Lewis
“Our 2-year-old Golden Retriever is a bundle of love. An overwhelming, barking, pulling bundle of love, who wants to greet everyone in the neighborhood. Nothing we tried seemed to impact his behavior, and a relative who trains dogs told us we needed to get a prong collar and start "teaching him who is in charge". In search of a trainer who uses positive reinforcement, we found Joanne and we are so happy that we did! She is kind, compassionate, non-judgmental and has seemingly endless ideas for techniques to use with our dog to improve his behavior.”
Kristin Cole & Finn
“We went into Joanne's Loose Leash workshop hoping to gain some tools to better walk our dog, Finn, on a leash in a busy city (coming from a rural area). After our four sessions together, we came out with much more than we could have wished for, and even a perspective shift about relating to our dog and his own needs. Joanne uses a very gentle and kind approach with your pup, prioritizing the animal and its ability to thrive.”
