Sunshine's Pet Services

Certified Dog Training & Dog Behavior Consulting

During our session, I will provide you with all the information I can in a way that is not overwhelming but will set you and your fuzzy family member up for success. Please remember that I am here for you if you ever feel confused or need support. I am here to help you even after the session is over!

In-home dog training is most successful when the entire family is involved, on the same page, using the same tools, and learns the same techniques. I prefer to set private training sessions when everyone in the home is present. When everyone is on the same page, your dog will experience more consistency and he or she will learn much faster.

I accept all breeds, ages, and temperaments. Every dog can change his or her behavior if the family is willing to put in the work and follow through! Furthermore, I will do everything in my power to set you up for success. In the end, it is up to you and your family to do the work and stay committed.

How It Works

Firstly, I will meet with your family at your home and discuss what you would like to work on. I will observe your dog’s behavior and the interaction between you and your dog will be observed.

Secondly, I will teach you how to communicate with your dog and understand his or her behavior. I’ll translate your dog’s energy, the psychology behind their behaviors, and body language into an easy-to-understand way that will allow you to communicate effectively and empathize with your dog.

Lastly, to get to the end of behavioral challenges, you must start at the beginning. I will analyze your dog’s current behavior and history to get a clear picture of why these issues are occurring. I’m here to help you navigate your way through all of this, so that you can begin to make positive changes!

Pricing & Details

Private and in-home dog training should be reasonably priced and transparent. Legitimate and ethical dog training should never cost thousands of dollars, trap you into packages, or use intimidation or abusive tactics/devices with your canine companion.

Beware of board and train programs, they are very costly and do not work with your dog in their environment. Dogs learn best in a stress-free, cage-free environment where they feel comfortable. Additionally, when you use a Board and Train service, you are not involved in the training process and your dog is being boarded and cared for by strangers away from home. Therefore, you have zero control over your dog’s wellbeing, care, and training. The change in environment can make learning difficult due to the added stress and anxiety your dog will feel.

In most cases, I will not have to come back to your home more than once or twice. The reason for this is because I do not hold back critical information so that I can charge you for a later session.

I understand that the majority of pet parents that reach out to me are already experiencing stress and turmoil in their home due to behavioral challenges with their dog(s). I want you, your family, and your dog(s) to see results as soon as possible.

In-Home Dog Training Service Area

Hudson, Port Richey, New Port Richey, Spring Hill

1-hour session is $100

1.5-hour session is $150

2-hour session is $200

Extended In-Home Dog Training Service Area

1-hour session is $150

1.5-hour session is $200

2-hour session is $250

Feel free to call or text me with any questions or concerns after our session. I am here to help you, your family, and your dog(s).

Training Tools

Treats

During our session, if treats are used it is important that we choose a high value treat that will get your dog’s attention. A high value treat is typically a treat that will be protein based and motivate your dog to begin modifying behaviors in the home and outside of the home. Prior to our session, I will ask you if your dog has any food allergies. Additionally, I carry three different proteins to give your dog options and variety. I use Happy Howie’s Natural Dog Treats. They are soft, moist, and very smelly to get your dog’s nose working. I use their beef, chicken, and lamb flavors for training. It is a limited ingredient treat with no added sugar and no fillers or garbage that your dog doesn’t need. If you would like to use your own high value treats that is great as well!

Dog Walking Tools

If we will be working on loose leash walking or dog reactivity while on walks, I have kind and safe tools that will help us achieve a more peaceful walking experience. I have various sizes, and I will determine which tool would be better for your dog and situation. I will adjust the size and fit to meet your dog’s needs and of course, teach you how to properly use these tools. If you would like to purchase either product during our session you can! I offer these tools for the pet parent’s convenience. This way you do not have to wait for the product to be shipped to your home and you do not have to go to the store to pick it up. Furthermore, you will know that it fits your dog correctly and you can begin training with either product right away!

Tools I Do Not Use

I do not use prong collars, choke chains, shock collars, shaker cans, spray bottles, “correction” spray, anti-bark products, electric fences, or any other device or tool that causes fear, anxiety, harm, collapsing trachea, or intimidates your dog. Training should be fun, safe, and a bonding experience between you and your canine companion. Modifying dog behavior does not require the long ago debunked “alpha status” and old school “Cesar Milan” methods. These harmful techniques have been scientifically studied and proven to promote, fear, anxiety, and distrust towards the pet parent or trainer. What behavior modification does require is empathy, patience, commitment, and kindness.

Prior to making an appointment, please review Sunshine’s Terms of Service. Thank you!

Understanding your dog is the key

Be kind, be patient, be empathetic

It is critical to address behavioral challenges in your dog’s environment. In most cases, this will be in your home. This is where your dog has developed his or her routines and patterns of behavior. Sending a dog to a “boot camp” or board and train facility is not always the answer when it comes to behavioral challenges that take place in your home. The promise of lasting results in a boot camp setting (a kennel) is unfortunately not realistic.

Dog’s live in the moment and that is how we need to teach them. When your dog returns home, they are back in the same environment and the person that taught them how to change their behavior does not live with you. This form of training can take a considerable amount of time, be very costly, and inevitably confuse your dog.

This is your dog, your partner, your best friend, your co-pilot, and your fuzzy family member. I understand how important they are to you! I am here to teach you how to better communicate with your dog effectively and positively. You must be the one that commits and does the work. Your dog is relying on you for kindness, patience, compassion, and trust. This is the foundation of a healthy relationship with your dog(s).

A change in mindset

Trust and respect in a relationship is a two-way street. We know now after decades of research that the “alpha leader” methods do not form a trusting and real relationship. What do I mean by this? Trusting and real? When you use “dominance” tactics with an animal they are not learning, they are being broken down to conform to the person’s wants and needs.

Sadly, some people do not realize that animals have emotions, feelings, wants, needs, and boundaries. These attributes are no different from human beings. They feel emotional and physical pain, they grieve, they experience anxiety, they feel joy, and love. Dogs are not less than us because they communicate differently than we do. It is your responsibility as a pet parent to learn how to communicate with your dog in a kind, patient, and respectful manner.

An exercise in empathy

Think about being in school, back when you were a young child. Let’s say you are six or eight years old. You are still an innocent little kid. You are learning about the world. Learning about yourself and learning what happiness is and what fear is. You are sensitive to the world around you.

Would you be more comfortable learning from a kind and patient teacher or a teacher that intimidates you and puts their comfort, wants, and needs above you? Yelling, forcing, punishing, hitting, and bullying is not a foundation for a healthy relationship. The only thing the cruel teacher is teaching is fear and mistrust. Your dog depends on you for safety and comfort. It is your responsibility to provide that.

Learning stops when you do not take into account what is best for your dog. Not just what you want. In every relationship, there is give and take. You must be flexible and understanding. It is important to use empathy and compassion to understand where someone else is coming from.

A lesson in compassion

Assuming that your dog will respect you because you are the “leader” or “human” simply defies the psychology and pathophysiology of living beings. You have to ask yourself some deep and sometimes hard questions to understand your dog and how to improve your relationship. Why should someone (your dog) respect you when you don’t respect them? Why are your needs and wants more important than your dog’s wants and needs? Most importantly, are you willing to change your own behaviors to help your dog be balanced and happy?

At the end of the day, dogs are simple creatures. Sometimes dog psychology may appear to be complex and overly complicated. However, dogs want to feel safe and loved. Dogs want you to be happy. They want to be with you. Additionally, when you learn how to communicate with your dog and understand them, you are opening a dialogue that will grow your relationship. We could all learn a lesson in love, trust, and loyalty from our dogs. Furthermore, we need to open our minds, put ego aside, and listen to what our dogs are telling us. You just have to know how to listen. I am here to teach you, help you, and guide you and your dog.

If you are interested in learning more details about me and my experience, please visit Our Story.