Off-Leash Reliable, Calm Family Dogs in 3 Weeks — Southern Maine
I specialize in turning high-energy goldens, labs, doodles, rescues and working breeds from chaotic pullers and barkers into calm, focused family dogs with rock-solid on/off-leash reliability around distractions.​
REACH OUT TO THESE FAMILIES I'VE HELPED,
JUST LIKE YOURS
Hi, I'm Val
​​Before I became a dog trainer, I was a dog owner doing everything to give my cattle dog Lewen the best life. His reactivity turned walks and outings into major stress. I tried quick fixes and advice that crumbled in real life. Love wasn't enough. The internet and classes were not enough. I needed support and tools for lasting change.
Animals have always been my world. I've worked in vet clinics, shelters, kennels, farms, and on horse ranches. For 7+ years I've transformed
Southern Maine family dogs struggling with over arousal, leash pulling, reactivity, and unreliable recall. I learned progress comes from teaching dogs and owners to handle stress thoughtfully, so skills stick around distractions. I learned that to be successful dogs and owners need a full system, not just a few lessons, classes, or tips and tricks.
Today, I help high-energy family dogs move from overexcited greetings, tense walks, and unreliable recall to calm, reliable companions that you can trust on walks, hikes, or spending time in public or with friends.Owners get stress-free neighborhood strolls, solid off-leash recall on trails and beaches, and the freedom to live without managing every outing.
I've done this for 100+ families. If this sounds like your story, keep reading.
Who is this for?
Right now, life with your dog may feel louder and more unpredictable than you expected. The front door turns into chaos when someone arrives, making having people over feel like more hassle than it’s worth. Walks feel stressful because your dog pulls hard or completely loses focus around people, dogs, or wildlife. Trusting your dog off leash feels impossible.You may find yourself constantly managing situations, apologizing for your dog, or adjusting plans around their behavior—even though you love them deeply and know they’re capable of more.
Who is this NOT for?
Puppies under 8 months old
Low Energy Dogs
Dogs who only mildly pull
Sport, or Trick Training
Basic sit-stay-down only
​Competition Obedience
What We Build-
3 Weeks to Freedom!
Imagine...
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Calm, focused walks through your neighborhood, at a café, on the beach, or at your kid’s sporting events.
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Having people over without bracing for chaos,jumping, or noise.
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Bringing your dog along instead of feeling guilty leaving them behind
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Trusting your dog off leash on hikes or at the beach no matter the distraction
My Specialty
Helping high-energy family dogs—including golden retrievers, labradors, doodles, rescues, and working breeds—go from chaotic pullers, barkers, and overwhelm to focused, calm, reliable dogs on and off leash.
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​Not by sending your dog away.
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Not by overwhelming you with homework.
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But by doing the correct work, in the right order, in real life!
How it works
I do the initial heavy lifting so you don’t have to!​
8 Take & Train Sessions
8 Take & Train Sessions
Where I work directly with your dog at your home and in real-world environments
In Person Sessions & Field Trip
8 Take & Train Sessions
So you learn how to maintain
results with your dog & feel confident training
Zoom Sessions
8 Take & Train Sessions
To support progress and make the most of your time
Video Library
8 Take & Train Sessions
So you always have a training reference when you need it
Monthly Group Classes
8 Take & Train Sessions
So you can continue to learn and improve with your dog around other dogs & distractions, and make training friends!
Program Schedule:
Week 1: Zoom session, Evaluation, Building foundation skills with at-home reps for calm around the house, polite door & guest greetings, place training, and recall drills.
Week 2: In-person session + Take and Train days with me. Build foundation skills for loose leash walking, obedience, and recall in low level distractions
Week 3: In person session + Take and Trains. Proof loose leash walking, obedience, and recall in higher level distractions. Transition to life with maintenance plan.
Results by week 3: Calm greetings with guests, calm neighborhood walks, and reliable off-leash recall and check ins. ​
***Bonus: Week 4 Field Trip to test your skills in a spot of your choosing!***
TRY IT RISK FREE
100% Training Results Guarantee
Follow the plan, do homework, attend all sessions and calls. If your top two goals aren't meaningfully improved by week three, I provide bonus sessions at no extra cost until we reach your goals.
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After just 3 weeks, enjoy.
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Stress-free walks
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A calmer dog at home even when company comes over
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Reliable off-leash skills anywhere you go
Limited Availability
​Limited to 3 spots per month to ensure quality, support, and results.
​​​​What’s Included
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Complete training tools equipment package, including E-collar support for off-leash reliability
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Lifetime access to the Trainer Video Package with step-by-step guidance
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Personalized Zoom lessons to maximize progress
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In-home and local real-world training sessions
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8 Take & Train sessions (no boarding, less stress for your dog)
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Field trip training around people, dogs, and everyday distractions
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Continued support through the Venture Doggie Collective with weekly Q&As
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1 full year of free monthly group training with the Better Together Club
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Exclusive discounts on future seminars, workshops, classes, and events
FAQ
Most focus on a few lessons of obedience, quick fixes, and tricks, not a system to combat the overarousal driving reactivity, leash pulling, and difficulty focusing. This is a full system designed to build real calm from the root, and ensure you are successful and reach your results.
I've tried other trainers before. Why will this be different?
How much time does this take from me?
Minimal. I handle the heavy lifting with take-and-train sessions. You do 15-20 min daily reps + 2-3 lessons. It is a perfect option for busy families, and also makes training faster and easier for your dog since they get to learn directly from me.
What if it doesn't work for my dog?
Training Results Guarantee: follow the plan, attend everything, hit your top 2 goals (calm greetings and recall) or get 2 bonus weeks free. No risk.
Is my dog to high energy or too old?
No. I have transformed 100+ high energy family dogs just like yours 2-10 years old from chaos and lack of focus to calm greetings, no pulling, and off leash recall. If you're worried send me a video before our gameplan call so I can ensure your dog is a good fit for this program.
Can we afford this right now?
Most say that until their first off-leash beach day. The longer training problems persist with your dog the longer they take to undo, so there really is no better time than now when it comes to training- and this program guarantees that you will reach results. Payment plans are available where needed
Do I need to board my dog?
No! That's the beauty of take and train sessions, it's like having a board and train brought to your home, so you can benefit from me doing the initial hard work for you but can continue to enjoy having your dog at home with you. It's also less stressful for your pup.
What about E collar?
We use E collar as a communication tool not a correctional tool. It is included in your equipment package along with all other training tool necessities. E collar is an incredible way to build safe and secure off-leash reliability without force. We start low, progress only when ready, and your dog gets to be more free than ever before!
I need to discuss this with my spouse/partner?
Forward them this page. It covers everything in the program. Program spots are limited to 3-4/month, quote good 48 hours.
Can I sign up for this program at any time?
Program spots are limited to 3-4/month, and go extremely quickly so to save your spot we recommend getting signed up as quickly as possible. Your quote is good for 48 hours, but typically goes up after due to limited availability.
Success Stories!
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"I was dealing with reactivity, demand barking, and difficulty with listening to commands."
"I had tried training with my cattle dog before and didn’t find it helpful, so I was skeptical — but Val proved how effective the correct training can be.
The program felt very catered to my needs. I cannot say enough praise for Val and the work she does. She has made a huge difference in my dog’s behavior and was very flexible to my needs.
In just a few weeks, Val gave me so many tools to tackle reactivity and combat behaviors I wanted to change. I feel a huge sense of pride for my dog. He listens better and is much less reactive. Training was the best thing I could have done — I’m so much more comfortable bringing him out in public and having people over.
I definitely have a better understanding of my dog now. I never realized how much I needed to challenge a cattle dog to prevent boredom. Val showed me how intelligent and quick to learn Angus is. I just didn’t realize it until she highlighted that with her training.
There was nothing more Val could have done to support me. She was very responsive over text and never made me feel silly for any questions I asked. She makes you feel very comfortable from the first interaction all the way through training.
I could not have asked for a better training experience. Her knowledge of cattle dogs and her approach to training is incredible. I highly recommend Val to anyone considering training their dog.”
Jessica F. & Angus