Dog Training

Did you dream of taking your dog with you to the beach or on walks, family get-togethers, or just spending quiet family time together at home?

Has that turned out a bit differently than you imagined?

What will it look like if you don’t take action different than what you’ve been doing? 

Are your dreams of why you got a dog fading a bit? If so, Kōkua Dog Training is here to help. My private training programs are uniquely outcome-based rather than limited to a fixed number of lessons.
 
Together, we outline the exact skills you and your dog need, review the typical timeline required, and work for a flat investment until those skills are fully mastered. Every program includes comprehensive written handouts delivered to your inbox, along with dedicated on-call support whenever you feel frustrated or stuck.
 
Kokua Dog Training is dedicated to helping you build a positive relationship with your companion as you develop vital life skills and gently eliminate unwanted behaviors. Think of training your dog as a fluid conversation with a friend. Your dog belongs to a different species and is simply doing what dogs naturally do; we, the humans, are the ones who find certain behaviors challenging. Therefore, the questions simply become: ‘How do we humanely shift the behaviors we don’t like?’ and ‘How do we clearly teach the choices we want them to learn?

Many traditional trainers who teach basic obedience completely miss the essential foundations. Whether your goal is to enjoy a well-mannered family pet or participate in advanced dog sports, a rock-solid foundation must come first. Interestingly, the core skills required for an exceptional family companion are exactly the same as those needed for a high-performance sport dog.These essential foundation skills include:

  • Polite household manners and calm greetings with guests
  • Loose-leash walking without pulling or tension
  • Neutrality and focus around other dogs, people, and distracting environments
  • A fast, reliable recall when called
  • Greeting people with all four paws on the floor instead of jumping
  • A reliable, certain stay, especially around open doorways
  • Respecting boundaries around food and household items
  • Calm, relaxed cooperative care during grooming and veterinary visits