The Dog Talker - Charleston's Leading Aggression & Dog Behavior Expert

I have been so happy with my experience with VivaPaws Training & Behavior. I have a 20 month old Shiloh Shepherd that is reactive to people. VivaPaws came to our house for training sessions and was able to teach my pup how to look at people in a different way without reacting in a negative way through positive reinforcement. She was able to give me the knowledge and tools necessary for me to succeed in continuing his training when she is not here. I am so thankful that we have someone locally who uses positive reinforcement training for dogs! Vivi is extremely professional, prompt, calm around all of my dogs and a wonderful person to actually work with. I will go to her for all of my future training needs if I have any. She also helped me with one of my other dogs and I had not paid for training that one which I thought was extremely nice of her. I would advise anyone who needs training in the Lowcountry of South Carolina to use VivaPaws!

Our 8-year old Shepherd mix developed an extreme fear of going outdoors because of a string of loud noises from fireworks to a backfiring car to a new Harley in the neighborhood. He wouldn't even want to go to our backyard to potty. We needed more than a normal trainer and Vivi was great. With her help we were able to start restoring a normal routine, and Kieran is slowly starting to expand his comfort zone around our house taking small walks every day now. Her work with Kieran got him past his extreme fear to a manageable level that we can work with, and she left us with the right tools to continue getting him back to his old, confident self. He used to cower if we asked him to go out the front door, but today he's already herded me out to the park 3 times. We're very thankful for her patience and expertise with a tough problem.

I used VivaPaws for a one week board and train, beginning of 2020. Vivi was a pleasure to work with, from initial communication to keeping in touch during the week and follow up afterward. My 5 month old puppy seemed to learn a lot. Vivi instilled everything I had been working on with him and added too it. I felt comfortable knowing he was with her when I was out of the country. It was a great experience and the process was made easy. You are given a thorough report card and training material. I can’t speak highly enough of the experience, well worth it.

I can’t express enough how much of a help going through this training was for Arya. Vivi helped me realized how I can help Arya be better attuned to me, my cues and establish a stronger trust in me. In turn, I learned to be attentive to what makes Arya react to outside stimuli (other dogs and people). After trying various other methods that didn’t really help Arya long term, finding Vivi and discussing the click and train method, I have seen so much improvement in Arya. From relaxing at home or walks, she has come a long way so far. We still have a ways to go, but I am so very grateful to Vivapaws training for getting us started in the right direction and providing us with the necessary tools to continue on our own as well.