Marita can help you consider whether a new dog is right for your family and if so, what age, type, breed etc. Particularly useful for first-time (or first-time as adults or parents) dog owners. There are many considerations in deciding on and selecting a dog and things you can do to prepare in advance to help you have the smoothest introduction possible.

Your new puppy is already a smart learner before you bring them home! Having an appropriate set up for your puppy and a plan for your first few days with them can help you set them up to settle in quickly and get things like crate training and house training on a fast track to success. Marita LOVES to meet with people BEFORE they have their puppy to help you feel prepared and ready for anything as you introduce them to your home.

There are special considerations to be made when bringing home a rescued pup. Marita can help you navigate how to evaluate a new dog’s needs and help them best adjust to your household.

Marita will prioritize the obedience skills your puppy needs to learn in a way that best serves your puppy and your family’s needs. In addition to behaviors like sit, down, stay, come, and introducing a leash. She will provide guidance on puppy mouthing nipping, house training, crate training, proper socialization and more.

An old (or any aged!) dog absolutely can learn new tricks! Marita can help you teach your new rescue, untrained older dog, or dog who’s gotten rusty on some skills. Behaviors can range from the basics like sit, down, stay, heel, place, wait, and come to advanced recalls (coming when called) and other obedience, therapy dog training, Canine Good Citizen training, and more.

Marita competes in scent detection with her own dog and has a working knowledge of several other dog sports. She is also a certified evaluator for the AKC and can help you train for CGC Certification and all levels of CGC Trick Dog Certification. Tricks, Freestyle, Agility Basics, Rally Basics are just some of the fun and enriching skills you can teach your dog.

From nuisance behaviors like jumping up, counter surfing, incomplete housetraining, and leash pulling to more serious behaviors such as leash reactivity, resource guarding, aggression with people or other dogs, Marita has a depth of experience working with complex behavior modification and also has an excellent referral network should you need the additional assistance of an academically trained behaviorist.

Changes in your life such as expanding your family, brining home a new pet, or a move can have an impact on your dog’s behavior. Marita can help you navigate these things with an appropriate plan to help your dog acclimate successfully.