Guidance Dog Training

11/17/2025

Quick trainer tip:
Now that the rain is back, some dogs are suddenly having indoor accidents—even ones who were potty trained.
If you’re seeing this, your dog may need extra encouragement to potty outside and a bit more supervision/prevention inside for a few days.
How’s your dog handling potty breaks in this weather?

10/23/2025

Hi! I'm Jess, your local (Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley) in-home dog trainer. Comment with a brief question about your dog and I'll give you my quick take on it. And let's see who can post the most unique challenge or cutest picture of their dog!

09/13/2025

Share Your Most Embarrassing “Dog Moment”!
Okay neighbors, I’ll go first!:

My food-obsessed dog discovered that the UPS driver carried TREATS. One day, while we were out in the yard, the UPS truck pulled into our driveway. Before I could stop him, my dog bolted straight for the truck. The driver stopped (thank goodness!)… and then my dog LEAPED right into the truck! 🙈

There I was, red-faced, trying to wrangle him back out while the driver chuckled. Needless to say, that was my cue to polish up his recall — and it worked! (Perks of being a dog trainer. 😉)

Now I’d love to hear from you: What’s your most embarrassing dog moment?
👉 Share your story below and give a like to the ones that make you laugh the most!

P.S. If your dog ever pulls stunts that are more stressful than funny, I offer a free call to chat about training help: https://www.guidancedogtraining.com/discovery

08/26/2025

🐾 Ask the Dog Trainer Day! Post your brief dog question below and I’ll reply with a free quick take! See if you can stump me!

08/20/2025

Meet Rosie 🐩✨

Rosie is a new client of mine - a 9-year-old toy poodle with oodles of personality and a PhD in wrapping her humans around her little paw. One of the things I was called in to help with is her strategy for avoiding the dreaded harness: hiding under the dining table.

Her family, however, has figured out her one weakness… the sound of the house alarm arming. 🚨 To Rosie, that sound means “Humans are leaving! I must not be left behind!” So, she comes trotting out, ready to trade her freedom for a chance at adventure—even if it means the harness goes on.

I had to laugh at her cleverness (and her humans’ clever counter-strategy) but we’re also working together to make the harness a non-issue so Rosie won’t feel the need to stage these negotiations.

Oh, and did I mention? Rosie also has very strong opinions about what’s on TV 📺🐶—she’s not shy about sharing her reviews. Between her quirks, s***k, and vocal commentary, she’s keeping everyone entertained while we help her channel that big personality in ways that make life smoother for both her and her people.

Smart dogs keep me in business and I love the challenge and creativity needed to help create a win-win for both humans and dog! Does your dog outsmart you?

07/16/2025

Does your dog hide when the harness comes out? 🐶😬
You’re not alone! A client recently told me another trainer said dogs fear harnesses because they feel like being picked up by a bird of prey 🦅 (creative, but unlikely).
More often, it just feels awkward or uncomfortable — but forcing it only makes things worse.

💡 Instead, teach your dog to want to put the harness on:
✅ Choose a harness that goes over the head instead of a step in and take a break from harnesses until your dog is comfortable.
✅Make it a positive game: Just looking at the harness at first earns treats.
✅ Use treats and go slow enough that your dog is not backing or leaning away between treats.

With patience (and maybe a little help from a trainer 😉), your dog can love getting dressed for a walk! Does your dog put his or her own harness on or avoid you?

07/14/2025

It’s Ask the Dog Trainer Day, fear edition. Here are some fears I’ve helped dogs with: fireworks, thunderstorm, vacuum, strangers, dogs, putting on a harness, being alone, riding in the car, bikes, kids, vet, groomer, nail trims. What is your dog afraid of?

07/13/2025

I’m excited to share my new referral program—if someone you refer books a session, you can choose $10 off your next session or a surprise toy for dog from me! Just share this link: www.guidancedogtraining.com/discovery and they can schedule a free call with me. Thanks so much for your support.

In home private dog training in East Bay california. Oakland dog trainer. Dog Training in Berkeley!

07/12/2025

Is your dog a puller? I'm offering a free clinic at Piedmont park tomorrow (Sunday) at 3! I'll be in the field by the big fountain and please let me know if you plan to come. Please share!

06/18/2025

Celebration & Request! My Google My Business listing has been down for 6 months during my move back to CA. It was a lot of work and stress to get it back and I didn't know if the bots had gone evil or what, but the Google Gods have allowed it to exist again today, yay! https://g.co/kgs/vhQ19MB
If you have worked with me or I have ever given you great dog advice a review right now would be super helpful to celebrate this success and also get it in front of the public a bit more. Thank you!!

5.0 ★ · Dog trainer

03/13/2025

Today I'm offering my Quick Takes! Comment below with one sentence about your dog's behavior and I will give you my Quick Take on how to work with it!

02/25/2025

Hi! I thought I would share a favorite story: I was working with a family with two young kids. Their Rottweiler was getting upset about things being taken out of his mouth. I explained to the kids that I'm actually a Dog Lawyer and that in Dog Law, if something (even a person's shoe) is in their mouth or between their paws it is actually the dog's property (even if human lawyers would disagree!). I told them that if they want it back they need to pay for it with a yummy treat or else they are in violation of Dog Law. They took to this so much that they started being like the police of dog law and told me about how they told their neighbors to stop "violating dog law!". My job is pretty great - I love helping people understand their dog's point of view and get them to cooperate willingly. Of course, teaching a dog to drop things goes beyond simply feeding a treat but it's a great way to get kids to understand and be safer. I hope you enjoyed the little story!