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Loving man strokes cocker spaniel dog sitting in field grass at back sunset man enjoys res

We meet so many owners, like you, who’ve done the research, followed the advice, and still wonder why things aren’t getting better.​ It’s because you need the right approach; the perfect tailored-to-you mixture of obedience training and behavioral training. 

That’s where our Mind & Manners™ Method comes in.

Effective and long lasting dog training requires an understanding of how your dog's Mind works first - only then can we train the proper Manners.

The Mind & Manners™ Method

Training That Meets Your (and Your Dog's) Needs

The Mind & Manners™ Method creates the right balance of Obedience and Behavior training for your dog. 

We believe every dog is different. We assess your dog, as well as your goals, in order to create the right training plan.

  • Some dogs need mostly Obedience.

  • Some dogs need mostly Behavior Modification,

  • All dogs need a mixture of both.

While many trainers claim to “fix” behavior problems, they often rely on obedience to suppress symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

 

That’s not behavior modification—it’s a temporary workaround.

We help determine what the right balance of Behavior Modification and Obedience training (Mind & Manners) that is right for your dog, and your goals. 

Family with dog newly trained

Ready to find out how to get your dog on the right path?

Mind - Change How Your Dog Feels

Understanding the Mind means learning how your dog sees the world: what sets them off, what they're trying to avoid, and why they do the things they do.  When we change how a dog feels, we change how they behave.

Behavior modification training requires deep expertise in canine psychology and emotional regulation. We focus on rewiring emotional responses by building frustration tolerance, resilience, autonomy, problem-solving skills, and relaxation. ​ 

Change How They Feel

  • Always on edge/hyper-alert (Anxiety)

  • Startled at noises or movements (Survival mode)

  • Panicked when left alone (Separation anxiety)

  • Guarded and defensive (Aggression)

  • Unsure of their place (Insecurity)

  • Barking at strangers (Fear of new people)

  • Resistant to touch (Touch sensitivity/trauma)

Calm dog

Techniques We Use

  • Founder-Chelsey's Signature Behavioral Protocols

  • Play Training

  • Resource Guarding protocols

  • Jay Jacks' Reintegration Protocol

  • Behavior Adjustment Training

  • Flight Training

  • Predation Substitution Training

  • Relaxation Protocols

  • Counter-Conditioning/Desensitization

  • Scent/Seeking System Protocols

  • Shaping/Free Shaping

  • Confidence Building Techniques

  • and TONS more

Manners - Change What Your Dog Does

Dog doing obedince training
  • Rushing out the door

  • Jumping on guests

  • Not coming when called

  • Chewing furniture/fingers/paper towels

  • Begging at the table

  • Pulling on the leash

  • Refusing to listen without a treat

Change What They Do

Manners means teaching your dog how to navigate the human world: how to walk nicely on a leash, greet people politely, stop jumping on guests, come when called, and more. These aren’t just “nice to haves”, they’re what turn daily life with your dog from frustrating to fulfilling. 

 

We start by building your dog’s understanding through positive reinforcement and pressure-and-release communication (a technique similar to guiding a horse, light, subtle, and crystal clear). If you're working toward off-leash training or want more flexibility at home, we can incorporate remote collar training using a vibration collar or an ecollar if you'd like.

  • Sit/Down/Stay

  • Come

  • Heel (walking next to you)

  • Loose Leash Walking (no pulling, free to sniff/potty)

  • ​Place (go to and stay on a bed or cot)

  • Leave it

  • Drop it

  • Wait (at doorways or for food)

  • Off (off of the couch/no jumping)

  • Quiet 

  • Watch Me/Look

  • Free (release word)

Skills We Teach

The Right Balance for Your Dog

When your dog get the right balance of obedience and behavior modification training, you get a happy and well-behaved dog for life. 

Mind

Manners

Helping Your Dog Feel Safe/Calm/At Ease

Teaching Skills That Stick

Balancing behavior modifcation and obedince training

Ready to find out what the right balance for your dog is? 

A Deeper Understanding

​Our expert team doesn’t just understand dog training, we are behavioral experts.

 

This allows us to create customized plans that combine true behavior modification with practical obedience skills for your dog; giving you real, lasting change.

Led by behavioral specialist Chelsey Marino, our team is trusted by some of the most respected sanctuaries and rescue organizations across North America.

 

We rehabilitate dogs with the most severe trauma histories. Chelsey is recognized as a thought leader in this field. We've helped the most challenging cases imaginable, and we can help your dog too! 

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(Behavior Modification) ​

(Obedience)

Balancing behavior modifcation and obedince training

When Everything Finally Clicks

Man hugging his dog

This isn’t just dog training. It’s a transformation. for both of you.

Imagine stepping out the front door with your dog by your side, not as a liability to manage, but as a partner you trust. 

 

  • No more constant apologies.

  • No more holding your breath on every walk.

  • Instead, you breathe easy.

 

You move together like a team. You communicate without yelling, yanking, or bribing. Your dog looks to you, not because they’re afraid to mess up, but because they want to. You finally have the kind of relationship people stop to admire.

The stress fades. The shame goes quiet. And what’s left is a deep, mutual understanding. A bond built not through shortcuts, but through respect, trust, and showing up for each other.

Ready to find out how to get your dog on the right path?

Prefer to Start Small?

Download our free guide, the Mind & Manners™ Warm-Up Wag and Learn: 

 

  • Why “quick-fix” tips backfire  

  • How a relationship-based approach rewires your dog’s mindset  

  • Three easy games you can try today—no special tools required 


These are small wins that make a big difference.

downloadable ebook about dog training

110+ five star Google reviews don't lie. 

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