Taking the Lead Dog Training

03/07/2025

15 years ago today I became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer!

03/03/2025

I’m hitting the “paws” button on accepting new clients since I’ll be doing more time-consuming consulting work at in March and April.

Shelter animals have my heart ❤️ and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them!

Pictured are Bee Bop, Kia and JJ. All are looking for a new place to rest their head.

03/01/2025

Two Aussie clients in one week? Lucky me! 🍀🐾

This breed is so wicked smart! It’s always a fun time with an Aussie.

02/16/2025

Penny enjoyed some socialization at !

02/14/2025

The first episode of 2025 of my podcast just dropped (finally!)! Listen and let me know what you think!

Do you have any books you want featured on the podcast? Post a comment or send a DM, and subscribe so you don’t miss it.

Podcast Episode · Dog Training Book Club · 02/14/2025 · 11m

02/07/2025

TGIF!! Let’s see that Eagles green with your pets! 🐾💚🖤🦅

This is Woody, Available thru ACCT Philly.

Post pics in comments!

02/06/2025

Char and I are on the road! 🚘🐾
She loves staying in new places, but some dogs have a hard time in a strange house or hotel. What are your favorite tips and hacks to make traveling with your dog a happy experience for them?

I’ll go first! Bring some water 💧 from home.

Dogs can smell even small changes in water, and water varies by area. That change in smell may deter your dog from drinking initially, so bring H2O from home!

01/31/2025

Goji is getting a human brother or sister soon! To help prep him for this big change we introduced two crucial elements:

1) a pen so he can have some space to himself

2) a to keep him busy while his pawrents attend to the new baby.

Goji took to the new set up quickly!

01/29/2025

I saw my tiniest and biggest clients today!

01/18/2025

It’s been a while since I introduced myself!
I'm Dayna, a seasoned dog trainer with over 15 years of experience working with dogs. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, I specialize in training methods that emphasize building strong relationships using reinforcement-based techniques.

I have worked with dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments including those with disabilities such as deafness, blindness, and mobility limitations. My boxer Charlotte, pictured here, is deaf!

Contact me to schedule your sessions for this winter! ❄️
Or share this with a friend that might need help with their pup. Virtual and in-person sessions are available.

Special thanks for these organizations and fellow trainers that trust me as a referral source for some of their clients (sorry if I forget anyone!):
Mostly Muttz Rescue
ACCT Philly
Familiar Hearts Animal Society
Harleysville Veterinary Hospital
Affinity Veterinary Center of Malvern
Hickory Veterinary and Specialty Hospital
Metropolitan Veterinary Associates
Peace, Love & Doggie Paws
Furry Elite
Providence Animal Center
Down to Earth Doglady
Phoenix Animal Rescue
Street Tails Animal Rescue
Kodi's Club Rescue
Dog Gone Good Dog Training
The Purrfect Pet Nanny
Bad B Dog Training
Chester County Canine and Critter Care

Photo: Mergliano Photography

01/13/2025

Mika is available for adoption at the Montgomery County SPCA - PA in Conshohocken. She loves training and is very smart! One of my go-to foundational exercises is to train this “name, touch, find it” sequence. This chain of cues can be useful in a TON of situations!

01/06/2025

My pup Charlotte has had one medical issue after another recently. First it was her eye, then a cancerous mass, and most recently a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. She’s on the mend but it’s been a whole lot of visits to the veterinarian!

If your dog isn’t comfortable at the vet, those visits can be stressful for everyone. Training can help improve their experience and I recommend working on:

Chin rest: in your hand, on your knee and on a chair. It helps stabilize their head for exams

Paw: allows the vet to more easily look at the sides and belly

Middle: gives the vet access to the back end of the dog while you stabilize your dogs head in between your legs

Muzzle restraint: every dog should feel at least somewhat comfortable wearing a muzzle. Some injuries and illnesses can be painful and dogs in pain are more likely to resort to biting during treatments.

Training is best done BEFORE your dog develops problems receiving veterinary care, but even if they have problems now, training can help! Reach out to schedule with me to improve your dogs behavior!

01/06/2025

It is with a heavy heart that we remember the incredible Karen Pryor, a pioneering trainer and educator. Her groundbreaking work has transformed the lives of countless people and animals alike. I am deeply grateful for her teachings, and both the animals and their humans will forever appreciate her commitment to kindness in training methods. Thank you, Karen, for your lasting impact!

Listen to a summary of her best book, Don’t Shoot the Dog, on my podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dog-training-book-club/id1694226430?i=1000618261695

12/31/2024

As the end of 2024 closes in, I’m grateful to spend time with some homeless animals. May 2025 bring them the loving homes they deserve!

Cheers to the New Year! 🥂

#2024 #2025

12/27/2024

Today was a wonderful day for a training walk at -

12/24/2024

What’s your holiday eve plans with your pups? Post pics below!

Char Char is all about the cuddles and Meisha is our temporary house guest from ACCT Philly, who’s happy as can be chewing on a bully stick as we speak!

🐾💙🤍❤️💚🐾💙🤍❤️💚🐾

12/24/2024

Feed for position.

In dog training, “mark for behavior, feed for position” means that you use a verbal or clicker marker (like “yes” or a click) to signal the exact moment a dog performs a desired behavior, but then strategically place the treat reward where you want the dog to physically position themselves to maintain that behavior, essentially guiding their body placement through the reward delivery.

Want your dog to walk next to your more, in that lovely heel position, not too far ahead or too far behind? Then make sure to feed your dog generously when they are in that desired location!