Compassionate Dog Behavior Support & Sensitive Dog Specialist

Serving Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond and midtown Santa Cruz.

Professional Dog Trainer, Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond, midtown Santa Cruz

Hi, I'm Simone!

I specialize in supporting caregivers with sensitive dogs that show challenging behavior presentations.

Meaningful dog training and behavior support that makes a lasting difference should feel good to you and your dog, one where you both feel seen and heard. I'll meet you both where you are at with curiosity and understanding.

My ethical work aligns with a dog-centered care and relationship-centered behavior approach. It's the foundation that will serve both of you for a lifetime and strengthen the bond you share along the way.

It is important to acknowledge that behavior doesn't happen in isolation. The challenges that are observable to us is what we see on the surface, the tip of the iceberg so to speak. But the foundation it stands and builds on is what needs our attention. Working with me means we become canine curious about your dog first and assess the underlying drivers for the challenging behavior presentations. Only then are we equipped with an essential starting point to create lasting change for the both of you.

Wether you are seeking behavior support with a new canine friend of any age or with your current canine companion with ongoing struggles, I promise when we work together you don't have to become a "technically skilled" dog trainer yourself because working with me is different.

I'm passionate about supporting you and your dog on this journey with compassionate values! My behavior work is

SUPPORTIVE. CARE-CENTERED. RELATIONAL.

When you choose to work with me be assured:

  • I’ll only use a humane and ethical approach to support you and your canine companion and view behavior wholistically and through a trauma-informed lens

  • I’ll support you and your sensitive canine companion with compassionate values while we work together in collaboration and as a team, as long as you need me

  • I’ll honor every dog as an individual, will not measure their progress by the progress of others and appreciate them for the sentient, unique dog-selves they are

  • I’m bound and committed to continuing my education, always using the most up-to-date, evidence and science based practices in my dog behavior support work

Let me know how I can help

Professional Education & Certifications

Why they matter

When it comes to supporting you and your canine companion, it's important to work with a certified, humane and positive dog professional. A qualified dog professional who is committed to continuing education and development is one of the most important ingredients when it comes to successfully working with dogs and their humans, kind and ethically.

I'm always learning and are committed to staying up-to-date on the most recent scientific findings and evidence based practices concerning dog behavior, welfare and wellbeing.

Certifications & Memberships

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

  • Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM)

  • Currently in the process of obtaining my ACE Trainer Certification

  • Slow Thinking is Lifesaving for Dogs - Endorsed Practitioner

  • Successful Graduate of Dog Training Apprenticeship - Good Dog Santa Cruz

  • Diamond Member of Grisha Stewart Academy of Empowered Animals

  • Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

  • Professional certified Dog Walker - DWA through DogBIZ

Professional Dog Trainer, Scotts Valley
Professional Dog Trainer
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Professional Dog Trainer
Professional Dog Trainer

WHAT IS A FAMILY DOG MEDIATOR?

When you work with a family dog mediator, you can feel confident that they are taking into consideration multiple different facets to see the whole picture - so in addition to training, we are looking through the lense of a dog’s L.E.G.S. when it comes to their behavior in our modern, two legged world:

  • Learning - what experiences your dog has had in the past

  • Environment - what external conditions your dog currently lives in or has lived in before

  • Genetics - what does your dog’s literal DNA program them to do

  • Self - every dog is an individual and their health, age, and personality play a part

It's all about the LEGS!

Behavior Support and Sensitive Dog Specialist

Serving Scotts Valley, Felton, Ben Lomond

and midtown Santa Cruz

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