Family Dog Training in Norman, Oklahoma

Do you ever feel like your dog is off in it’s own world? You love your dog, that’s for sure, but you have no idea how to communicate and you don’t want to feel frustrated any longer. You just want a happy life with your dog, so you can look back on these years and remember the adventures - not the misadventures. I get it!
The problem is that most dog training advice doesn’t work in the real world. Maybe it works inside a quiet training room with no other distractions and lots of treats, and maybe it works in theory, but we don’t live in a theory. You already know that you need training too. How do you discipline your dog without feeling like an asshole? Most importantly, how are you going to fit the training into your busy schedule?

From Dog Lover to Dog Understanderer

I got my start in dog training in hard mode, by rehabilitating my two fighting female dogs. We sought the help of obedience trainers, but were devastated at the lack of results. Many of them suggested we re-home or euthanize one of our precious dogs. Talk about a wake up call! My dogs are my family, and they were not young sweet adoptable puppies that most families would want. My friends and family thought I was crazy, but I spent every spare bit of free time (+ a little extra!) educating myself on dog behavior and training.

After leading my dogs through an intensive at home program, I figured out that my dogs weren’t the problem. The dysfunction in our home was directly caused by lack of structure, lack of believable consequences, and lack of leadership. It wasn’t easy, but I realized that my dogs needed so much more than cute obedience training. They needed us to change the way we lived, they needed me to say “no” to their dangerous behaviors, and they needed me to step up and show them the way.

As a result of our training, their lives are bigger and better than ever before. We also learned some valuable life lessons throughout the process - about leadership, accountability, and hard work - and for that we are forever grateful to our dogs. We would not be the people we are today had our dogs not given us that wake up call and forced us to step out of a lifestyle that was not serving anyone.

Before I knew it, people saw our results and were asking me to help their dogs too. I started Roots K9 in 2017 so that I could expand my reach and help even more people get control of their difficult dogs.

It’s been a wild journey from there to here. Here are some lessons I learned along the way:

• Being a leader is not about being an asshole, it’s about making sure everyone’s needs are met, including all the humans in the pack.

• Dogs need so much more than just snuggles and treats - they also need a leader they can count on in the tough moments.

• Inclusion - the ability to have your dog participate in your life - is the greatest reward.

How I Work

Today, I coach humans and the dogs they love. People say I’m good at changing dog behavior, but I’m freaky good at changing people behavior. I realized a long time ago that it doesn’t matter what I can do with your dog - it matters what I can teach you to do with your dog. Whether we work together one-on-one or you send your dog for Board & Train, rest assured that my primary goal is teaching you how to communicate with your dog.

I’m a pragmatic, “reals before feels” kinda lady. I’m direct, and that comes through in my coaching. While I am committed to 100% fairness with your dog, I  also value sensible timelines, so that you can get back to enjoying your dog as quickly as possible. I’m also a little woo-woo. I believe in magic, in energy, and all that weird stuff. Don’t worry, I’m not going make you do a vision board for your dog. But I do believe that dogs can teach us valuable lessons about ourselves, if we let them.

I work with all your dog’s people to learn how to:

• Communicate yes and no

• Achieve a balanced relationship

• Use food rewards properly

• Hold your dog accountable

• Develop calmness in the house

• Set boundaries

• Get your dog’s focus and attention when it matters

• Navigate the tough moments without losing ground

Want this for your dog?