SERENITY CANINE with Lisa Mullinax CDBC
Help for Challenging Behaviors
EXPERT HELP THAT WORKS FOR YOU
For almost 25 years, I have helped dogs and their humans with challenging behaviors. From Chihuahuas to Wolfdogs, from mild fear to severe aggression, I can help. Each dog is an individual and their behavior plan should reflect that, being designed for their unique needs and challenges.
A behavior plan is worthless if it's not practical for you, your home environment, and your lifestyle. This is why I take a collaborative approach with my clients, so the strategies I develop are designed to work with the strengths and limitations of each dog and human.
I don't just tell you what to do, I work with you to practice implementing the behavior plan, so that you have the knowledge and confidence to continue on your own after your program ends.​
BEHAVIOR SERVICES
MONTH-BY-MONTH BEHAVIOR PROGRAM
​My unique program provides you with ongoing support so you and your dog make continuous progress and you get help whenever you need it, not just during appointments. ​
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HOW IT WORKS
WEEKLY APPOINTMENTS​​
We meet once a week, either in-person or virtually, depending on your needs that week. ​​Each appointment is between 1-1.5 hours.
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CHECK-IN CALLS
You can schedule a quick phone call at any time between appointments for extra assistance. You never have to wait for your next appointment to get help.​
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CLIENT PORTAL
You will have your own client portal where you can find all video and written instructions, recommended resources, access my calendar to schedule your next appointment, upload videos for me to review before our next appointment, and send me messages.​ ​​​
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Most clients should anticipate 2-3 months of support. At the end of each month, we will discuss next steps and you will have the choice to continue, pause, or stop support.
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Monthly Support...800
Purchase first two months in advance and save $100​​​​
SINGLE CONSULTATION
This 90-minute consultation is ideal for anyone who is uncertain about the best path forward for their dog or those considering the difficult decision of rehoming or behavioral euthanasia.
I provide a full assessment of your dog's behavior, an overview of behavior support and training needs, and strategies for management.
Local.....350
Remote.....250
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What equipment do you use?Generally, I try to limit equipment to your dog's regular collar or harness, a 6' leash, and a training pouch. If you currently use a special collar and are concerned about your ability to safely manage your dog without it, I will work with you without judgement until you no longer need it. The less dependent you are on equipment, the better control you have in emergencies.
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I tried positive training/other positive trainers and didn't see results. Why are you different?Great question! Whether you're learning to play an instrument, a sport, or learning how to manage and change your dog's behavior, there are a lot of ways things can go wrong. Sometimes the plan is flawed and sometimes it's just the implementation of the plan. All trainers are not the same. Although there are a lot of trainers who use positive or "force free" methods, skill and knowledge vary considerably. After almost 25 years of working with dogs and their humans, I know how to find the problems and make adjustments. I love dogs, but I also care about the humans who share their lives, so I want you to be successful.
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Do you ever use shock collars, prong collars, or other punishment?I do not. These approaches are counterproductive - they won't make your dog feel better about the situations that trigger their fear, reactivity, or aggression. However, if you are currently using such tools and don't feel you can safely control your dog without them, I will work with you to minimize their impact and move away from dependence on special equipment.
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Do you do clicker training?Yes! All of my training implements the use of a reward marker. Depending on your preference, we can use a word/verbal marker or a clicker. Most clients prefer a verbal marker.
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What methods do you use?All of the training and behavior modification strategies fall under the umbrella of positive reinforcement.
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What will you recommend if my dog doesn't listen or does something bad?In these cases, it means there is either a problem with the plan or the execution of the plan. I will help you identify the problem and make the necessary adjustments so you can both be successful going forward. I correct the PLAN, not the dog!
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What if I don't want to use treats?I'm so glad you asked! Take a look at this blog post to see my responses to the most common concerns about using food in training. Treat Training If you're still skeptical, set up a free phone consultation. I'm happy to answer your questions.
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Do unused sessions carry over to the next month?Sessions do not carry over and there are no credits for unused sessions. If you have a work or life event that will impact your ability to complete all sessions that month, contact me IN ADVANCE to pause for 30 days. It will be your obligation to schedule the next session before the 30-day pause expires to avoid loss of sessions.
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What if I have to reschedule a session?Life happens and I do my best to remain flexible. In most cases, we'll try to reschedule for another day/time the same week. If you aren't able to reschedule an in-person session the same week, we will meet virtually that week.
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How much time should I plan to train my dog between appointments?I try to design plans that integrate training into your normal routines like meal times and walks wherever possible. In most cases, you will need to set aside less than 30 minutes each day to practice in the beginning. This can include multiple 5-minute sessions throughout the day or one "field trip" to practice training offsite.
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What if I have an emergency and can't finish all the sessions that month?You will have the option to pause your program for 30 days without losing any sessions.
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How many sessions do I get and how long is each session?Each month includes 4 weekly sessions between 1-1.5 hours. The first session is usually virtual and you should plan for 1.5 hours. Additional sessions will be virtual or in-person, depending on need. At the end of each session, we will discuss how we will meet. Some sessions will be virtual and some will be in-person.
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I'm skeptical the virtual sessions can help me.You're not alone! A lot of clients are skeptical in the beginning, only to be surprised at how much they get a lot out of these virtual calls. We can troubleshoot problems, review video you've taken that week, make plans for moving forward, and work through training challenges with your dog.
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How do virtual sessions work?Sessions are held via Google Meet (no downloads needed). We'll discuss challenges and successes and make changes and additions to our plan from the previous week. If you are struggling with any training, you can practice those in front of the camera while I watch and coach you in real time or review one of your recorded videos together.
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Do you help me practice with my dog around triggers?YES! Once we've taught your dog the skills essential for managing their behavior, we then practice around dogs, people, or other triggers in gradually more challenging situations.
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Will my dog be cured after the training?Fear, reactivity, and aggression are all normal, natural behaviors. How your dog reacts to perceived threats now is how they will always react when they are overwhelmed. We can't change that reaction, but we can increase their tolerance by reducing stress and teaching them new skills they can use in these situations. Behavior is influenced by many factors that we can't change with training, including their health. If your dog has a health issue that is causing pain or discomfort, there may be limitations to the progress we can make until that is resolved or managed.
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What's the most difficult case you've worked with?I work with a lot of challenging and dangerous behaviors. But the most difficult cases are those that involve factors outside my control, including the dog's health, the dog's environment, or lifestyle/family challenges. In these cases, I take those factors into account when designing a behavior plan and, when appropriate, collaborate with the dog's veterinary team to provide the most comprehensive behavior support possible.
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Can I have other people be a part of the training?Yes! I'm happy to include family, friends, or even sitters/walkers in the process. Ask me more during our phone consultation!
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Will you train my dog for me?In some cases, I can jump start your dog's training. I can come to your home 3-4 days a week and teach your dogs new skills that will be needed in their behavior program. I can then teach you how to get those same results. However, changing fearful, reactive, and aggressive behavior is not the same as teaching a dog "obedience" skills, like sit and stay, which can be taught quickly. Teaching a new skill is easy - changing a dog's emotional reaction is a longer process that requires your direct participation and practice between appointments.
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I live outside your service area. Can I pay you extra to come to my house?Sometimes. Depending on your location and the behavior challenge, I am happy to travel a little longer (up to 45 minutes outside Kirkland) for an additional fee. Depending on your dog's behavior needs, we can also meet offsite at some locations near Kirkland/Redmond for lessons. Ask me!