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You know dogs. But working with people is part of the job, too.
If you're a dog trainer or behavior consultant who's confident with the dogs but sometimes stuck on the human side of the job, you're in the right place.
Want the short version? Jump to "Where would you like to begin?" ↓
Otherwise, here's the thinking behind what I do.
You learned how to observe behavior, identify patterns, change environments, teach new skills, and help dogs and their people live better together.
But somewhere along the way, you discovered that knowing what a dog needs isn't always enough.
You also have to communicate with the person on the other end of the leash.
And that can get complicated.
Clients feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, frustrated, defensive, afraid, or simply unsure what to do next. They may not follow through with recommendations. Conversations can go sideways. And sometimes you leave a session wondering:
Why didn't that go the way I thought it would?
That's where Beyond Behavior begins.
Better outcomes for dogs begin with better conversations with people.
Your clients aren't the obstacle between you and the dog. They're your partners in helping that dog, and most of them want to get it right as much as you do.
Beyond Behavior helps dog pros develop the human-centered skills that aren't included in our professional education.
You'll learn to become more aware of what's happening during client interactions, understand what may be influencing the conversation, communicate more intentionally, and choose responses that support both person and dog.
Because when people feel heard, understood, and capable of moving forward, they're often better able to help their dogs.
You Don't Have to Become a Different Kind of Professional
You don't need a script for every difficult conversation. You don't need to become your client's therapist. And you don't need to have all the answers.
You can remain the dog pro you already are while becoming more comfortable and skillful working with the humans who care for those dogs.
The goal isn't perfect communication. It's greater awareness, curiosity, flexibility, and connection.
Because sometimes changing the conversation changes what becomes possible next.
Founder's Story
Delores with Ursa (back left), Pandora (front), and Lyra (right)The dream I let goAs a child, I loved animals: dogs, cats, horses, birds, almost anything with fur or feathers. I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. But I was told I wasn't smart enough, and I believed it.So I let the dream go. Our family had dogs and cats on and off throughout my childhood, but when hard times came, the pets were left behind. Each loss hurt more than the last, until I made a promise to myself: no more dogs. Ever.The puppy who changed everythingThen I met my husband. He grew up with safety, security, and family pets. As our family grew, he gently suggested getting a dog. I refused.And then I met a puppy who probably shouldn't have survived. But he did. The day I met that scrappy little fighter, I brought him home. My husband was shocked. My children were delighted. And I was changed forever.From corporate to rescue to my own businessThe years that followed brought big moves, more children, and more special dogs. I went back to school and earned my MA in Communication. (So much for not being smart enough.)Eventually I left corporate life for the world of animal rescue, then shelters, and finally opened my own training business. My goal was to keep dogs out of shelters.What I discovered was that people and dogs often misunderstand each other, and training alone doesn't fix that. Sharing a home with another species is complicated. To help my clients, I created a workbook, then wrote a book, and later launched a podcast. Many clients began to see their dogs differently. They found the joy and humor in their multi-species homes and learned to accept their dogs' doggie ways.The hardest part of the jobOver time, I kept hearing the same thing from fellow dog pros, including people I mentored: the hardest part of the job is the people. It reminded me of a decade of client conversations and the years before that, talking with volunteers and adopters in rescues and shelters. Just as my clients needed to connect with their dogs, dog pros needed to connect with their clients.Why Beyond BehaviorThat's when Beyond Behavior was born.My communication background has shaped every client conversation I've had, and I've spent my life coaching and mentoring people. Now I bring that experience to dog pros - trainers, behavior consultants, groomers, and shelter staff. I help them build the communication skills that change outcomes, so more dogs and their people can live better lives together.MA in Communication · CDBC · KPA-CTP · L-FDM · Host of Learning Dog Radio · Author of Why Does My Dog Do That?!
Where Would You Like to Begin?
There isn't one right starting point.
Just exploring
Free mini course, webinars, articles and a community of dog pros.
Ready to build the skills
Connected Conversations: 10 weeks of modules, 1:1 coaching and group practice. $349 introductory price. Next cohort begins January 14, 2027, limited to 10 participants. Enrollment opens December 1. Early bird bonus: enroll by December 14 for a 60-minute 1:1 follow-up call after the program.
Want to talk it through?
Not sure what fits, or looking for individual coaching? Let's talk.
The dog may be why we entered this work. But helping the person is how we help the dog.
