Training and behavior support

Helping dogs and their people build practical skills for real life in and around Madison, WI.

Life skills and manners

  • Loose-leash walking

  • Polite greetings

  • Coming when called

  • Settling in the house

  • Engagement and communication

a woman and her dog walking together in a prairie.

Behavior challenges

  • Leash reactivity

  • Fear-based behaviors including stranger-danger

  • Low-stress vet visits and grooming

a woman kneeling with her puppy in front of her, between her legs. She is gently restraining the puppy with one hand on its chest and the other on its neck.

Puppy Training

  • Potty training

  • Healthy puppy socialization

  • Nipping, biting and jumping 

  • Prevention of future behavior challenges

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"Working with Elissa has been so good! We continued to work with Elissa even after our original goal was met—she is a wealth of amazing dog-information and has strengthened our relationship with our dog in ways we weren't expecting. I'm so grateful for her help & support!"

— Ashley H. A., Google Review

See all reviews on Google

What to expect when you book with me

Sessions can be held in your home, in public, or virtually.

  • Initial Assessment: During our first session, we'll spend considerable time reviewing your dog's history, discussing your specific goals, and assessing the current situation. This ensures I can provide the most appropriate recommendations and support tailored to you and your dog.

  • Collaborative Planning: Throughout our sessions, we'll examine what behaviors are occurring, identify the contexts and triggers, and establish clear priorities based on what matters most to you and your family.

  • Customized Training Solutions: I'll provide hands-on training exercises and practical management strategies designed specifically for your home environment, daily routine, and lifestyle.

  • Detailed Follow-Up: After each session, you'll receive comprehensive written notes outlining each training exercise, management technique, and next steps to ensure you have clear guidance between visits.

  • Ongoing Support: Between sessions, I'm available via email or text to help troubleshoot challenges and answer questions as they arise. For some clients, this may also include additional hands-on support such as day training sessions, decompression walks, or puppy socialization outings, where I work directly with your dog to provide focused practice and skill-building outside of our sessions together.

My mission is to cultivate joyful relationships based on trust and communication between you and your dog through compassionate training.

Every behavior has a reason. You and your dog will be met with empathy and understanding — without judgement — as we explore what’s behind each challenge.

a woman and her dog on a railroad track. they are giving each other a high five.

 FAQs

  • Initial consultations (90 minutes) in person are $175 and virtual are $160. Follow up single hour long training sessions cost $150, or you can purchase a pack of four sessions for $560.

    Half hour sessions cost $80 and can only be booked for virtual sessions.

    Prices include post-session follow up notes as well as between session support via email and text messaging.

  • Travel within 30 minutes of my home base is included in the cost of your session.

    For clients located farther away, a travel fee applies:

    • 30 to 45 minutes: $25
    • 45 to 60 minutes: $45

    If you live between 30-60 minutes away, we can discuss a combination of virtual and in person sessions.

  • Virtual services can be scheduled for 30 minutes. These cost $80.

  • Broadly speaking, I practice positive reinforcement (R+) or force-free training. I follow the humane hierarchy, which prioritizes meeting the animals needs, setting the learner up for success and then rewarding desirable behaviors.

  • Every dog and handler journey is unique, making it impossible to provide a one-size-fits-all answer. The number of sessions depends on several key factors: the specific behavior you're working to modify, your dog's past training experiences, their daily environment, your availability for practice between sessions, and your own experience with dog training.

    While most behavior changes require more than one session, clients working to change habit-based behaviors like jumping or leash pulling, may see meaningful progress within 3-4 sessions. However, when working with behaviors rooted in fear, anxiety, or stress, we'll need to move at your dog's pace to ensure lasting, positive change.

    During our first meeting, we'll assess your dog's needs and personality and discuss what may be contributing to the behaviors you are hoping to change.

  • I truly believe that everyone deserves support with their beloved companion. To that end, if my prices are a financial burden for you, reach out and ask about my sliding scale.

Looking for a group learning experience?

If your dog barks and lunges on walks, you may enjoy learning alongside other reactive dog guardians. If your dog is a good fit for a small group setting, my Reactive to Proactive class teaches many of the same science based strategies we use in private training while giving you opportunities to practice around other teams in a carefully managed environment.

What clients are saying

“Walks have improved significantly and we are able to have walks without any barking or pulling now! He also looks to us more when there are triggers and is more redirectable and responsive to training even after a reaction.” —Christin, Noah (Team Oggy)

Curious what the class is like?

"I loved this class as an introduction to addressing leash reactivity! It was very informative and supportive..." — Ginny T. (Team Pax)

Learn more about the Reactive to Proactive group class