Your dog has one life.
Honor their wild side.
An 8-week structured training program for dogs at every life stage, and for the owners who want more for them than a list of commands.
Limited enrollment per month. Discovery Call required before booking!
My philosophy
Everything with intention,
Including how we train.
Training isn't a behavior checklist, it's a language. I always meet the dogs where they are, not where we wish they were. The goal isn't a dog who does what it's told, it's a dog who understands the complex human world well enough to navigate it with confidence. The key to a well-adapted dog is an owner who understands their dog well enough to give them what they need to be successful.
Every dog is an individual with real needs — to sniff, to move, to communicate, to feel safe. When those needs are met, behavior follows. When they aren't, no amount of obedience training fills the gap.
Relationship first
We build the connection before we build the skills. A dog who trusts its owner to lead it confidently, to provide it structure and security, is a dog who will learn to make good choices on its own, and one who knows what to do when it is feeling unsafe or overwhelmed.
Biologically appropriate
Dogs are not humans. Dogs are pack animals who should not have the human responsibilities of our world. Dogs need to move, to rest, to play — every day. Most dogs don't know they have the option to opt out, to not follow you around, or to not be involved in everything. Have you ever seen a wild animal follow a human around?
Owner as partner
You will learn the why behind what you're doing. The goal is an owner who can adapt — not one dependent on a trainer for life, though I am always happy to support you along the way and beyond.
Life skills, not performance
Loose leash, calm greetings, recall, impulse control: skills that make your dog's actual daily life better.
Who this program serves
Every dog. Every stage.
New puppy
The foundation is everything.
The first months shape the dog your puppy will become — their confidence, their communication, their relationship with you and the world. Starting right isn't optional. It's the highest-leverage thing you can do.
10 weeks and older
Adolescent dog
When owners start to give up, accepting that this is who their dog is.
Selective hearing, impulse control gone — the dog who was perfect at 4 months now seems like a stranger. This program gives you the tools and the understanding to get through it together.
5 months – 2 years
Adult dog
“Fine” isn't the same as fulfilled.
Your dog is “fine.” You just know there's more available to both of you. This program is for the owner who wants a deeper relationship and a dog who gets to actually be a dog.
Any age
Reactive or anxious dog
Reactivity is communication.
Your dog isn't giving you a hard time — they're having a hard time. A dedicated track built around threshold work, nervous system regulation, and the skills they actually need to feel safe.
Any age · Specialty track
The format
Structured, intentional, and immersive.
One session per week for 8 weeks — consistent, progressive, and built so that you and your dog are moving forward together the whole time, not just in our hour together.
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In-home assessment first
Before the program begins, we come to you. Your dog in their own environment tells us more than any questionnaire ever could.
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Your day, every week
You're assigned a consistent day and time for all 8 sessions. Same slot, every week — predictable for you, stable for your dog.
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One consistent location
After the in-home intake, all sessions happen at our local training location — chosen specifically for this work.
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Session notes & homework
After every session you receive written notes — what we worked on, what to practice this week, and what we're building toward next.
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You're always in it
Owner coaching is woven throughout all 8 weeks. You build handling confidence gradually, session by session.
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Graduation plan
Week 8 closes with a written continuation plan and an alumni group class invitation.
The program arc
Eight weeks.
One clear path.
Each session builds on the last. We start where your dog actually is and work toward an owner who can lead confidently in the real world.
Getting acquainted
Our first session at the training location. We observe your dog in a new environment, map their arousal and communication style, and establish the working relationship before asking anything of them.
Relaxation & self-regulation
Before we build skills, we build the emotional state those skills require. Relaxation protocols, mat work, and the beginning of impulse foundation. A dog who can settle is a dog who can learn.
Building the vocabulary
Core communication skills — engagement, voluntary check-ins, and loose leash foundations. You join this session as a participant for the first time, practicing alongside your dog with live coaching.
Life skills in context
We layer the vocabulary into real scenarios — greetings, thresholds, impulse control around distractions. Homework is reviewed and adjusted based on what's working at home.
Into the world
Skills that only work in one environment aren't skills — they're tricks. A new environment is introduced to build real generalization. A second owner session has you handling your dog with growing confidence.
Fluency & complexity
We raise the bar — more varied environments, higher distractions, more realistic scenarios. The goal is a dog who can think clearly under pressure. You lead this session with coaching support throughout.
You take the lead
You handle your dog through the full session while we coach from beside you. Real walks, real situations, real feedback. This is the week most owners realize how far they've come.
Graduation & beyond
A full review of everything built over 8 weeks, a real-world walk in your dog's actual neighborhood, and your written graduation plan — specific to your dog, your life, and what comes next.
Investment
Pricing
The Foundation Program runs 8 weeks, one session per week, with an in-home assessment before the program begins.
8-week foundation program
$1,200
8 sessions · $150 per session · 60–75 min
- In-home behavior assessment (pre-program)
- 8 weekly sessions at our training location
- Session notes & homework after every session
- Owner coaching woven throughout
- Written graduation plan at week 8
- Alumni group class invitation
Extended program
$1,500–$1,800
10–12 sessions · determined at intake
- Everything in the 8-week program
- 10–12 sessions (determined at intake)
- Additional environments and complexity
- 30-day post-program check-in call
- Priority re-enrollment if needed
- Alumni group class invitation
A deposit holds your spot. Remaining balance due at program start. Payment plans available on request.
Ready to build something real?
The first step is a free discovery call to talk about your dog, your goals, and whether this program is the right fit. No pressure. Just a conversation.
Book your free callwildpoppydogtraining@gmail.com · @wildpoppydogtraining · North County, San Diego