Force Free Owner-Trained Service Dog Coaching in Maryland & DC
Owner-Trained Service Dog Coaching & Small-Group Dog Training Classes
Located in College Park, MD & Serving DC & MD
What I Do
I provide force-free, nonviolent dog training that builds real-life skills without fear, pain, or intimidation.
Whether you want help training your own service dog or want a happy, well-behaved pet, I teach you the skills and confidence to successfully do it yourself. Combining mindfulness and nervous system co-regulation with science-based force free dog training ensures your dog understands, and wants, to work with you. Teamwork is so much easier and more fun than trying to force your dog to behave!
Some trainers talk about using a magical ‘energy’ to show your dog who is boss so they will obey. It really isn’t magical at all. They are simply using body language to communicate.
In nonviolent dog training, we use body language to communicate peaceful intentions and gain cooperation. Seeing you as a trustworthy, benign and friendly leader, your dog will be open to the ‘magic’ of positive reinforcement training. It is based on a long tradition of observational studies and validated research on how dogs learn the best and retain their training over their lifetimes.
Come train with me! See how fun and effective force free, nonviolent dog training can be for any dog, any breed, and any person!
Dog Training Formats:
Private sessions, group classes and workshops are available, each tailored to your and your dog’s needs and learning style.
How I Do It
What is “Force-Free”?
Force-free, or nonviolent, dog training honors your dog’s choice to participate and builds learning experiences based on trust, respect, and connection. Using positive reinforcement and a deep understanding of how dogs learn, this approach transforms everyday interactions into opportunities for growth, confidence, and joyful teamwork for you both.
When unwanted behaviors arise, force-free training does not punish or intimidate. Instead, your dog is taught better choices through management and customized nonviolent training techniques. By teaching alternatives, setting dogs up for success, and reinforcing improvements, every small step leads to lasting, reliable behaviors.
What is “Mindfulness”?
Just like people, dogs can go through life on autopilot, reacting automatically to sights, sounds, and situations. Mindfulness for dogs helps them slow down, notice their surroundings, and make conscious choices rather than reacting out of habit or stress.
Techniques like deep breathing, helping them slow down reactions, and guided Mindfulness Walks (a form of Walking Meditation) help overstimulated dogs reduce pulling, ease leash reactivity, and manage anxiety. Fearful dogs gain confidence, and hyper dogs develop self-control. With consistent practice, dogs learn to settle calmly, focus on their owners, and navigate daily life with less stress.
Reserve your free, 30-minute phone or video consultation
We are located in the
College Park, MD area & serve nearby parts of Maryland & Washington, DC
No painful shock collars
No prong or choke collars
No forceful techniques
Kindness and compassion
Happy Dogs and Their Humans!
Mel Jurist
“Joanne has a stellar grasp not only of service requirements and how to "get there," but also brings an uncanny sense of how to work with your dog's specific personality and needs. Service dog training can be challenging and has its ups and downs. It is so clear that Joanne has vast experience, but I rarely have found a trainer that understands dogs AND people. She has worked with both of us with clear, compassionate patience and knowledge that is unparalleled. I made more progress in one session than I had in a six-week, commercial class. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
Tina Shrader
“Joanne has given us so many good tools and techniques to deal with Peanut’s high energy and prey drive around the cats and has also helped us work on his alert barking and greetings with new people. He’s made so much progress over the course of our four sessions with Joanne and I couldn’t be more pleased….I highly recommend Joanne as a kind, thoughtful, creative trainer who will meet you and your dog where you are and find good solutions for behavior problems.”
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.”
