Building Bonds Canine Training

07/20/2023

***ACCEPTING NEW VIRTUAL TRAINING CLIENTS*** In an effort to make training more accessible, I have decreased my hourly virtual training session prices by nearly 30 PERCENT! As a diasabled service dog handler myself, I strive to make training a service dog as accessible as possible.

Not looking for service dog training assistance? Not a problem! Building Bonds Canine Training can assist virtually for pet dog training too! Whether it be mild reactivity, or walking nicely on a leash, we can help! For more information, you can send us a private message on messenger or email [email protected]

06/19/2023

Had a great consult with this big puppy yesterday! We are accepting new clients again!! We have openings for in person clients in Virginia Beach and it’s surrounding cities as well as openings for virtual clients for anyone around the world! Email [email protected] to book your FREE virtual consult or an in person consult for locals at the cost of $1.00 per mile from my location to yours.

04/11/2023

Did someone say enrichment? Frozen enrichment items for dogs can help reduce stress, provide a little bit of a challenge which helps keep them busy, and is a tasty fun treat! Whether you have a super busy day, don’t feel well, want to give your dog something cool and refreshing to eat after a day in the sun, or maybe your dog eats their food WAY too fast…frozen enrichment feedings are a great addition!

04/10/2023

Changes are happening! Building Bonds is temporarily closed to prepare for our upcoming move to the West Coast. The hope is to have the business back up and running in Fall 2023. I would like to thank all past clients that I’ve had here in Virginia. As many of you know, I myself am a disabled service dog handler and I hit some really rough patches with my own health which means I have to find a way to respect the boundaries my body has while still doing what I love. I am hoping to take the business in a different direction and focus on my passion which is service dog training. I hope to launch a virtual training program to assist owner trainers around the world. I’ll update my page as things progress but until further notice, I will not be taking clients until we have moved and I have all the logistics with the business figured out. Thank you all so much for helping to make this all possible. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love for a living.
-Emma

01/22/2023

Have you ever wondered what tasks a psychiatric service dog can perform to help their handler? Here are a few tasks my multipurpose service dog Argo does to help me with my mental health related disabilities!

12/21/2022

Are you a disabled individual and think a Service Dog might be right for you? Email [email protected] to book a free virtual consultation. As a service dog handler, I want to help other disabled individuals gain the independence that having a service dog has given me. As a dog trainer, I put an emphasis on relationship building. I wholeheartedly believe that both ends of the leash deserve to be happy, healthy, and confident. I offer virtual sessions for service dog training at $80 for anyone in the US and in person sessions at $100 for anyone in Virginia Beach and it’s surrounding cities. In person consults are $15. Service Dog training clients and clients who are active duty and their dependents, veterans, or civilian DOD employees receive a 10% discount per session. Each session is 1 hour long with an additional 30 minutes allotted for discussion and to go over homework. I have many openings available at the start of the New Year!

10/07/2022

Service Dog Argo practicing retrievals in public without any gear on! Did you know that the ADA does not require that a service animal have any identification, special gear, or certification? It’s important that a service animal can work well with and without their gear equally. Gear malfunctions happen, or maybe the handler was in a rush or didn’t plan to have to go in anywhere but then needed to and did not have their gear with them. Remember that just because they aren’t wearing any identifiable gear, doesn’t mean they aren’t working, and that it is not a requirement by federal law!

07/25/2022

I just…..No. Please don’t do this. Also, Alpha Theory was debunked, dogs know we aren’t dogs. This is just gross, and abusive.

I never imagined I would have to say this… but… please don’t dump p**s on your dog.

07/19/2022

Easy DIY enrichment feeding idea! Make sure to monitor your dog for this one to ensure they don’t invest anything not edible!

07/15/2022

Some people will completely disagree with using harnesses, others may disagree with issuing anything other than harness. As dog trainers, we must remember to train the dog in front of us. The dog will show us what is reinforcing to them, what is aversive to them, and what approach will work best. If a dog training program guarantees anything other than progress (especially without even having met the owner or their dog), and their program looks the same for every single dog, RUN. Will there be an overlay in methods used from client to client? Absolutely. But it’s important to keep in mind that every dog is unique and much be treated as such when developing a training plan.

06/21/2022

I LOVE Henny and her owner. She’s so dedicated and they’ve made so much progress already!

05/31/2022

Have to keep this paws protected. Even without needing them for the heat, it’s still not a bad idea to have the boots because I stepped in gum while we were out. Luckily it was me and not him 🤪 Argo also got to practice working while I ride the scooter through the store because this girls heart rate would not cooperate

05/28/2022

This is Henny! She’s 7 months old and my newest client! Today we had our consult and we played and did some training to find her motivators (toys as you can see and food!). She is so lovely, has a beautiful temperament, and her owner Ginger is so dedicated. I’m beyond excited to share her progress over the next few months.

05/27/2022

Service Dog’s Argo and Oliver had their first flights last month! They trained so hard to get to this point and they both crushed it!!

04/17/2022

Pick up and train with Wilson! We focused on the mechanics of luring, engagement, and teaching leash pressure. If you couldn’t tell, he is a VERY food motivated and excited guy! Check out a previous video with Wilson’s brother Henry!

04/17/2022

Henry is NINE. Yes you read that right, nine! Henry & his brother Wilson are my newest clients. Look at Henry rock his pick up and train session with me!

04/02/2022

I met these two cuties today! I’m so excited to work with them. Their owner recently had a stroke and needs a very accommodating, easy to stick to training regiment and we’re doing just that! They both have beautiful temperaments, they’re incredibly food motivated, and eager to please and work. We will be focusing on the basics like loose leash walking, engagement, and manners when meeting new people. Their owner is so motivated and eager to learn and help them thrive, despite the recent health challenges and I’m honored to help her along the way. I can’t wait to share their journey with you all!

04/01/2022

Client compilation! Here are just a few of my clients that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I’m so grateful for my friends, family, colleagues, mentors, and clients. Each day you all make me a better trainer than I was the day before. Building Bonds is now accepting new clients! Email [email protected] to book a FREE consultation. In person private sessions for those who live in Virginia Beach and it’s surrounding cities. Virtual sessions available on a case by case basis.

03/29/2022

Compilation of a few of my clients and their dogs! Message or email [email protected] to book your FREE consultation. Virtual Training is also available on a case by case basis!

02/22/2022

Practicing our off leash skills while having some fun!

02/20/2022

We always train outside of dog parks because EXPOSURE is the key, NOT interaction. You never know if the other dogs at the park are friendly, healthy, or properly vaccinated. Also, many times dog parks reinforce that other dogs are more rewarding than you. We want to cultivate a relationship between the owner and the dog.

01/28/2022

One year old Ollie and I did his first training session at the pet store! My existing clients can utilize a pick up and train service when life or work just gets too hectic. I pick up the dog and do a training outing then drop the dog back off. Ollie crushed this session! Email [email protected] to book your FREE consultation today!!

01/22/2022

It’s safe to say that this Golden Retriever loves the snow! How did you and your dogs spend this snow day?

01/21/2022

12/09/2021

Kings and lickimats are great for enrichment and desensitization! We use kongs for enrichment in place or in the crate and lickimats for desensitization to body handling and grooming. You can also take one to the vet with you! Pro Tip: When your dog is a little tired, use a lickimat while playing noises on YouTube like Firework sounds, Thunderstorms, construction noises, car sounds, dogs barking, babies crying, ect while grooming and body handling. This will help creat a positive conditioned emotional response to body handling, grooming, and scary noises. Buy a lickimat that has a suction cup on the bottom to use during bath time too!

12/05/2021

Argo’s first time accompanying me at the ER. We were there almost 6 hours and he was a total rockstar. He tasked beautifully. I couldn’t be more proud of him and I’m starting to get even more independence back with his task work improving. We still take it slow. He’s getting the rest of the weekend off from Public Access to rest and enjoy just being a dog. A huge shoutout to .matters for helping us throughout this journey.