About Drop the Leash LLC Dog Training and Behavior Consultant
Dog behavior problems are rarely about the dog. I help Northern Michigan dog owners understand what's really behind their dog's behavior and how to help them.
As a certified specialist (KPA CTP, CBCC-KA, LFDM) with over 30 years of experience across breeds, behaviors, and the full complexity of life with dogs, I give as much attention to the person holding the leash as the dog on it.
Through Family Dog Mediation, private behavior consulting, practical Life Skills group classes, and virtual services nationwide, I provide simple and effective behavior solutions no matter your location.
Serving all of Northern Michigan for in-person group classes and nationwide virtually. Visit my website to learn more and schedule a Discovery Call.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
House training
Leash training
Obedience trainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns causing growling, snapping, or severe reactivity, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Reactivity training
How training happens
Group classesProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Online or virtual trainingProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog age
Puppies
Training level
Beginner training
Support between sessions
Personalized training plansProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Your dog’s background
Rescue dogs
Training approach
Clicker training
Positive reinforcement
Other listed services
View 30 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Behavior AnalysisProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Behavior ChangeProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Canine Behavior CoachProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Certified Behavior ConsultantProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog Behavior SpecialistProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog Trainer & Behavior ConsultantProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Family Dog MediationProgram details
Licensed Family Dog Mediation assessing your dog’s genetics, environment, history, and individual self. I decode what your dog is communicating so you can make practical changes that actually make life easier for both of you.
Personalized Coaching
Private Coaching Programs
Canine Behavior ConsultantProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns causing growling, snapping, or severe reactivity, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Coaching Sessions
Dog ConsultationProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog Learn
Dog Training ProgramsProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Dog's Behavior
Family Dog ProgramsProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Family Dog TrainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Online CoachingProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Problem BehaviorProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Specific Training
Teaching Your DogProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Training & Behavior
Animal Care
Dog Training Instructor
Homeschool Program
Master Trainer
Online Programs
Study Program
Training Your DogProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Business-stated qualifications
Qualifications stated by the business, not independently verified.
5/5Val was the perfect match for us. She completely understands how to get to the level of understanding her students are and teach from there in a clear, positive, and FUN way. We are so happy that Drop the leash is around, after several other trainers we knew that we wanted to tra…Read full reviewClose full review
Val was the perfect match for us. She completely understands how to get to the level of understanding her students are and teach from there in a clear, positive, and FUN way. We are so happy that Drop the leash is around, after several other trainers we knew that we wanted to train our dog in a method that would not further add anxiety and fear into our dogs world. Our girl Maple, is a rescue that came with some strong reaction issues to other dogs. The program reinforces positivity and builds to solve issues, not just mask them. Val constantly understood and answered our questions and worked to provide the best training program around.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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