Synchronize Animal Behavior
better than training, backed by research
About me: behavior consultant, not trainer
Hi, I'm Natalie! I have a BS in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and am currently working on my Animal Behavior & Welfare Master's thesis at Virginia Tech on wildlife detection dogs. I have six years of professional dog training experience, but what you will find here isn't training. Unlike most dog trainers who have little to no formal education, I'm a graduate student conducting research in the field and have completed all my graduate coursework with a 4.0 GPA. Instead of training your dog, I will help you understand the scientific concepts that drive your animal's behavior, humane & effective way to achieve lasting behavior change that are research-backed, and how to live in sync with the animals you love through empathy & understanding.
Training is great for teaching your dog how to walk on a leash, recall, or hold a down-stay. Behavior consulting with me is a great way to understand the why (or the root cause) behind your animal's behavior, how to identify & work with their unique motivators, and how to become your dog's own personal trainer so you never need to hire one!
How I can help you:
When you work with me, you will learn about the most important animal behavior concepts that will help you better understand your animals' behavior (and even your own). These include reinforcers, motivating operations, avoidance, and many others. Because all animals (humans too!) learn via the same principles, I can work with any species you have, although I do have the most practical experience with dogs. If you've worked with dog trainers before, you might find yourself surprised by how simplified my approach is. As animal behavior professionals and scientists, we seek out the simplest explanations, even to difficult behavior problems. This means there are no lectures on being an alpha or how your dog is manipulating you here. Just easy-to-understand scientific concepts backed by robust research that make sense. My approach will encourage you to be more curious about and kinder to your animals(and maybe to your fellow humans too). I will develop a unique behavior plan for your animals and guide you through each step until you feel confident training on your own. Together, we will maximize your quality of life and your animals' welfare, and help you all learn to live in sync.
At the heart of what I do is an overarching concern for animal welfare. Without good welfare, we cannot ethically ask animals to behave to the standards we want. My first priority is always an animal's physical health, followed by their mental health. Pain and medical issues contribute to an overwhelming number of problem behaviors. Once we rule this out, we can focus on mental health: does the dog have regular access to what they find reinforcing? This could mean running, sniffing, swimming, scavenging, etc. Does the dog live an appropriate environment? This could look like a designated safe space when it gets loud or time away from kids in the home. Everything I do and will teach you is not only effective, but will also always be humane. If you want to dive deep into behavior, this is the place for you.
