“Training does not have to be hard; it just has to be intentional.”
My approach is rooted in dog psychology and behavior, focusing on how dogs see and respond to the world. I work closely with human guardians to build a deeper understanding of the relationship they share with their dog. Through clear communication and practical skills, I help create a balanced, trusting connection— empowering the human to lead with confidence and calm.
We will start with a 15-minute phone call to discuss your goals and your dog’s specific needs. This helps us make the most of our time together during the in-person consultation.
The 90-minute consultation includes an assessment with you and your dog. We will discuss your daily routine, training goals, and any behaviors you would like to understand better. We will explore relationship-building skills and identify habits that may be creating imbalance. I will make recommendations on tools, leash options, and personalized guidance to support a successful training journey.
These one-hour sessions are designed to build on the foundations we established during your initial consultation. We will review what we worked on, address any new questions or challenges, and introduce the next steps in your dog’s training. I recommend booking your first follow-up two weeks after your consultation.
Each session builds on the last, allowing us to reinforce progress, adjust strategies as needed, and focus on your specific goals—whether it is leash walking, reactivity, confidence-building, or everyday structure. Booking as a package ensures consistency and momentum.
Sessions must be used within 3 months of purchase.
The Human Behind the Leash:
My lifelong love of dogs began in early childhood with my first Old English Sheepdog, Charlie. Even as a kid, I instinctively understood how Charlie was communicating and what he needed—laying the foundation for a lifetime dedicated to the human-canine connection. In 2006, I founded Dog Walker Extraordinaire, a full-service dog walking company. Over the years, I personally cared for hundreds of dogs, helping many of them with training and socialization. Through that hands-on experience, I discovered my true passion: dog training. That passion quickly evolved into my calling.
My formal journey into behavior and training began under the guidance of respected dog behaviorist Cheri Lucas, followed by mentorship with trainer and behaviorist Betsey Gunter. I continued my education by attending multiple workshops, including one with Oregon Tails, where I learned the “Jentle Method”—a unique form of energy-based communication and guidance. I remain committed to ongoing learning, always deepening my understanding of canine behavior.
I believe every dog is an individual with their own unique qualities. My goal is to share what I’ve learned with dog owners—offering the tools, insight, and confidence needed to build a strong, healthy relationship with their dogs. That bond, built on communication, trust, and mutual respect, creates a truly fulfilling life together.
I am based in Los Angeles, California, and I also travel to work with clients in other locations by request.
Los Angeles
Jody is an intuitive trainer. She showed me how to properly walk my mini Aussie Shepherd which I was struggling with daily while he pulled and lunged on our walks making it impossible for me to walk him. Now he is on the proper lead. He is in such a better state of mind while on walks and I have so much more control. I am a lot less stressed now and so is he! Morty and I love Jody and her way of training and explaining from a dog’s perspective.
Marina Del Rey
Jody’s work with our pup was nothing short of magic. She helped us to establish a clear and solid relationship with our growing puppy, and, helped us to deflect unwanted behavior before it got out of hand. Within 20 minutes of meeting our pup, Jody had earned her trust and respect, and, had established an amazing relationship of true leadership with her. We learned a ton by watching Jody interact with our pup. Her method is simple and easy to implement.
Mar Vista
With Jody’s training I am finally able to walk my 80 lb. dog without him pulling me. She showed me how to use the proper leash and how to actually lead and not be led by my dog. Instead of jumping at the door before our walk, he waits patiently. Jody was clear, concise and compassionate.
Marina Del Rey
Winnie used to walk with her head down, picking up everything she could find, paying no attention to me. I dreaded our walks. That all changed once we started working with Jody. I learned about prey drive, structured walks, and—most importantly—how vital relevancy is in our relationship. Now, our walks are solid! I loved Jody’s approach: she is clear, concise, and, most importantly, makes everything simple.
Santa Monica
Walking our puppy used to be a nightmare—he pulled, lunged, and was highly reactive to other dogs, and even escaped his harness on a busy street. Nothing we tried worked, and walks were stressful for all of us. After just one session with Jody, the transformation was incredible. Scout now walks calmly at our side, completely relaxed and responsive. It was like a miracle! Jody’s training made a world of difference, and we actually enjoyed the process. What a relief to finally enjoy walks with our dog!
Venice
We were going through a rough time with our puppy. Her boundless energy often showed up as difficult behavior—jumping, mouthing—that made walks and outings feel impossible. We had worked with other trainers, but nothing seemed to stick.
From the moment Jody arrived for our first session, her calm, reassuring presence made all the difference. She introduced us to simple, foundational techniques that were easy for the whole family to follow, including a brilliant leash strategy that immediately improved our walks. Freja has been completely transformed.
Now I look forward to our daily walks and beach walks. Thanks to Jody, we’ve gone from overwhelmed to connected and confident.
