Meet the Heart Behind Pacific K-9 Training: Expert Behavior-Focused Dog Training for Reactive and Aggressive Dogs, Available Worldwide
My journey into dog training wasn’t planned—it came from personal experiences that shaped my approach. I specialize in behavior-focused dog training, particularly for reactive and aggressive dogs. I offer in-person sessions in the Fraser Valley, and I also provide online training programs to help dog owners worldwide transform their dog’s behavior. It all began when I got my first dog, a German Shepherd, Zeppelin, in my early twenties. With no prior experience with dogs, it quickly became apparent that she wasn’t the easiest first pet! She became reactive, sometimes even aggressive towards people, though she loved other dogs. This experience was my first real lesson in how challenging and complex dog behavior can be.
Not long after, I adopted Brutus, a Pitbull who was on the verge of being euthanized due to overcrowding in a shelter. He came to BC all the way from California. Brutus became my whole world, but his journey was filled with challenges. Shortly after I adopted him, he developed epilepsy, and over the years he battled cancer four times. His heart eventually gave out, and he needed a pacemaker. But through it all, Brutus remained a fighter, and his resilience taught me so much about strength and love. He was fiercely loyal, especially to me, and this bond led to resource guarding behaviour. He became aggressive towards other dogs, particularly when he felt the need to protect me. Despite these challenges, Brutus showed me what it truly means to care for and connect with a dog on a deep level.
Years later, I stumbled upon a post about another Pitbull named Sugar, who had just four days before she was going to be euthanized for behavioural problems. She travelled all the way from Indiana with her foster family to BC. She had a range of issues—dog and cat aggression, severe anxiety, and incontinence. For some reason, I felt an instant connection to her and knew I had to help. Thanks to an amazing rescue group and foster family, Sugar traveled 36 hours across the U.S. from Indiana to Seattle, where I adopted her, and we then made our way back to Canada together. Saving Sugar was a turning point for me—her anxiety, aggression, and behaviour problems became my mission to solve.
Through patience, dedicated training, and behavior modification techniques, I helped Sugar work through her aggressive tendencies and severe anxiety. Amazingly, Sugar's transformation happened while Brutus was still with us, despite his own behavioral challenges. She went from being highly reactive to learning how to coexist peacefully with Brutus and other dogs, as well as with cats. She was even able to come off her anxiety medication, and her incontinence issues were resolved. This was a major victory, and watching her progress was incredibly rewarding.
Earlier this year, I lost Brutus unexpectedly, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through. A few weeks after his passing, I took a shelter dog out for the day who looked strikingly similar to him. He was a big, orange pit bull with high energy and strength, and during our time together, we worked on training and explored the outdoors. Seeing how much progress he made during just one day of training reaffirmed my purpose—to dedicate my life to helping dogs, especially those in shelters with behavioral issues that might otherwise prevent them from finding homes.
Today, Sugar lives peacefully with my German Shepherd and three cats in BC. Her once-severe behavior issues are a thing of the past, and she’s thriving in a stable, balanced environment. The transformation I witnessed in Sugar is a testament to the power of consistent, compassionate training, and it reinforces my belief that every dog has the potential to live a happy, harmonious life.
With two pit bulls who both had serious behavioral issues, I realized that standard dog training wasn’t enough. I wanted to give them a peaceful, happy life together, which fueled my determination to pursue certification in behavior modification. This journey into understanding dog behavior wasn’t just about learning—it was deeply personal. I had already spent years training my own dogs, but this experience solidified my path as a behavior-focused dog trainer.
In addition to working with dogs on their behavioral challenges, I place a strong emphasis on helping owners become confident and empowered in managing their pets. To learn more about my training methods and how I approach behavior modification,
click here
What We Do at Pacific K-9 Training
At Pacific K-9 Training, my mission is to help dog owners struggling with behavior issues—particularly reactive and aggressive dogs—create lasting, positive change. I specialize in behavior modification using balanced, science-based methods that focus on trust and respect between you and your dog. My programs are available both in-person certain areas of BC, as well as online for those across North America, and beyond.
Whether you’re dealing with leash reactivity, dog aggression, or anxiety-related behaviors, I provide customized training plans that meet the unique needs of you and your dog. My goal is to empower you to confidently manage your dog's behavior, whether at home, in public, or around other dogs.
My path into dog training was deeply personal—after experiencing serious behavioral issues with my own Pitbulls, I quickly realized that traditional training methods weren’t enough. It became clear that to truly help dogs thrive, the relationship between the dog and their family had to be built on trust and understanding. This realization inspired me to become a certified behavior consultant, specializing in helping reactive and aggressive dogs.
My approach is centered around building a deep bond between you and your dog. It’s not just about teaching commands, but about understanding your dog’s unique personality, triggers, and emotional needs. By focusing on trust and connection, I help you create a relationship where your dog feels confident and secure, leading to lasting behavioral changes. Through a blend of positive reinforcement and proven behavior modification techniques, I work with you to not only correct unwanted behaviors but to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Whether you’re located in Mission, Maple Ridge, Fraser Valley, or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, I offer in-person sessions and personalized online programs. These are designed to meet your dog’s specific needs while empowering you to confidently manage their behavior, whether at home or in public. Together, we’ll create a strong foundation of trust and respect, helping your dog reach their full potential while deepening your connection along the way.
What Makes My Approach Different
If you’re ready to take the first step in addressing your dog’s reactive or aggressive behaviors, I’m here to help. With both in-person sessions, and online training options available, I can work with you no matter where you're located. Together, we can create a peaceful, balanced life for your dog.
Let’s get started on transforming your dog’s behavior today!
Ready to Transform Your Dog’s Behavior?
What People Are Saying
"We were at our wit’s end with our dog’s reactivity issues. Walks had become stressful, and we were losing hope. After just a few sessions of working with PacificK9 in BC the difference was incredible. Our dog is now calmer, more focused, and the bond between us has grown stronger. The training we received was not just for our dog but for us as owners as well. We couldn’t be more grateful for the guidance and support."
— Clark M.
"We were amazed at how quickly we saw progress. Our dog went from being anxious and reactive to calm and well-behaved within just a few sessions. The training methods were practical and easy for us to continue at home, which really kept the costs down. The trainer didn’t waste any time—everything was tailored to our dog’s specific needs, and it was clear we were getting the best results for the price. We’re so grateful for the efficiency and professionalism!"
— Rachel H.
"I was just looking for some basic obedience training in Mission for my puppy, and this trainer was perfect! They made the lessons easy to follow, and the results were quick. I was worried about the cost, but the pricing was super reasonable for the amount of time and attention we got. My puppy listens so much better now, and the whole process didn’t take long at all."
— Maya B.
Offering expert dog training across BC, with personalized programs for dogs in Mission and surrounding areas. Contact us to learn more about our behavior-focused solutions!