Behavioral consulting & training
At Compass Collars & Co, I am dedicated to helping dogs, their owners, and veterinary professionals navigate behavioral challenges with confidence, understanding, and practical solutions. Every dog is an individual, and my approach focuses on identifying the root cause of unwanted behaviors while building clear communication, trust, and safe handling practices.
For pet owners, I provide personalized behavioral consultations designed to address concerns such as reactivity, fear, anxiety, handling sensitivities, and everyday training challenges. My goal is not simply to change behavior, but to help both dogs and their people develop the skills needed to succeed together in the real world.
For veterinary clinics, I offer behavioral support and consulting services aimed at improving patient experiences, staff safety, and client education. This includes clinic evaluations, fear-free handling strategies, staff education, behavior-focused protocols, and resources that help teams confidently work with challenging or behaviorally complex patients. By bridging the gap between behavior and veterinary care, I help create safer, lower-stress experiences for patients, clients, and veterinary professionals alike.
Behavioral modification consultations
Struggling with unwanted behaviors? At Compass Collars & Co, I am here to help. My Behavioral Modification Consultations are designed for dogs six months of age and older who are exhibiting behaviors that impact safety, quality of life, daily management, or the human-animal bond.
Whether you are dealing with aggression, reactivity, fear-based responses, handling challenges, anxiety, or destructive habits, I take a structured, practical, and compassionate approach to understanding the underlying causes of behavior. By evaluating each dog as an individual, I develop clear, actionable recommendations that help create lasting change while strengthening communication and trust between you and your dog.
Leash reactivity & aggression
Addressing challenging behaviors like barking, lunging, or growling towards other dogs or people during walks.
Resource guarding
Helping dogs overcome possessive behaviors over food, toys, or space to ensure a harmonious household.
Anxiety & fear responses
Working through fear-based behaviors and anxiety issues, such as separation anxiety or noise sensitivity.
Our unique training philosophy
At Compass Collars, I believe in nurturing the bond between humans and dogs through understanding and positive reinforcement. My methods focus on building trust and clear communication, leading to lasting behavioral changes.
The Compass Collars difference
Unlike conventional training methods, Compass Collars prioritizes positive reinforcement, focusing on rewarding desired behaviors to foster a stronger, more trusting relationship between you and your dog. I provide practical, real-world examples and tools, making our approach highly effective for all types of owners, including veterinary professionals who often seek our expertise for their own pets and clients.
Who I work with
At Compass Collars & Co, I work with both private pet owners and veterinary or animal-care professionals to address behavioral concerns, improve animal welfare, and create safer, more successful human-animal interactions.
For private clients, I offer behavioral consultations through virtual, phone, and in-person services when available. Whether you are navigating reactivity, fear, aggression, handling concerns, or other behavioral challenges, consultations are tailored to the individual needs of you and your dog.
I also partner with veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, grooming salons, rescues, and other animal-related organizations seeking support with canine behavior, patient handling, staff education, clinic evaluations, and behavior-focused protocols. These services are provided on-site and are customized to the goals and needs of each organization.
A complimentary consultation is required prior to the agreement of any behavioral services. This allows me to better understand your goals, determine whether my services are the right fit for your needs, and recommend the most appropriate course of action. Services may be terminated by either party at any time.
Pricing and additional information
Pricing varies depending on the individual case, location, and whether we're working with a private client or a professional party. Because every situation is different, we prefer to first offer a free phone consultation to better understand your needs and provide an accurate quote.
Please note that all services require full payment up front and are non-refundable. Travel distance, complexity of the case, and urgency will affect pricing. Most consultations. whether by phone or in-person, are scheduled within a 14-day window, depending on your location.
If an emergency consultation is needed sooner than the standard 14-day window, there will be an additional expedited service fee. We’re happy to discuss those details during your free phone consultation so we can give you a clear breakdown tailored to your needs.
Given that our services focus primarily on behavior modification and safety, we do not offer puppy obedience training nor any form of board-and-train services. Due to geographic considerations, most private clients will typically receive services through virtual consultations; however, this may vary based on timing, location, and case-specific needs. In contrast, all services provided to veterinary professionals are conducted exclusively in person. When in-person services are offered, we travel directly to the client’s location to ensure appropriate assessment, handling, and safety within the environment where concerns occur.
Results vary significantly depending on the individual dog, the nature and duration of the behavior concern, environmental factors, and, most critically, the consistency and follow-through of the client(s), including others in the home. Some clients may observe initial improvements within the first few sessions, while other cases require extended timelines and ongoing adjustment. Behavioral work is not linear and often involves trial and error to identify the most effective methods, management strategies, and communication approaches for each dog. Without consistent implementation, reinforcement, and clear feedback regarding what is and is not working, meaningful and lasting results should not be expected immediately.
In certain cases, a dog’s needs may exceed what can be safely or effectively addressed through in-home or virtual services alone and may require referral to a board-and-train or specialized facility. While Compass Collars does not offer board-and-train services directly, we will assist in identifying and vetting an appropriate facility when necessary. In rare situations where rehoming is determined to be the most responsible outcome, we will participate in evaluating potential future owners to support a safe, ethical, and structured transition for the dog.
There is no set limit to how many veterinary staff members can be present during training sessions. However, the more individuals involved, the more time may be needed to ensure everyone receives clear instruction and has the opportunity to ask questions or participate. We’re happy to accommodate your team’s needs with proper planning.
Behavioral euthanasia is one of the most heartbreaking topics in the world of animal care, and it’s never a decision made lightly. In rare and extreme cases, such as when a dog presents a significant and ongoing risk to people, other animals, or themselves, and all training, behavioral modification, and management efforts have been exhausted, it may be considered as a last resort.
It’s important to understand that this is not about giving up on a dog, but about recognizing when an animal is suffering, trapped in fear, anxiety, or aggression that they can't escape from. In these cases, behavioral euthanasia can be a humane and responsible choice.
We want to be very clear: We do not perform euthanasia. If this path is being considered, it should only be carried out by a licensed veterinarian.
There is no shame in asking these questions or needing support in this kind of situation. If you’re facing something this serious, you’re not alone. We are here to help guide you through the behavioral side of things while you consult with your veterinary team about medical decisions.