Dealing with dog aggression? Fear? Reactivity?
Expert dog training and behavior help for people who love their dogs, like you do. Schedule Free Phone ConsultationLife with a dog should be fun.
We can help you get there!
Here’s what you need to understand before we start:
This TEDx talk on dog behavior was given by Noy in October 2014. So you see, at Holistic Spirit Dog Training, you get to utilize a world-renowned behavior and training expert’s help for your very own dog!
What are you waiting for?
Living with a dog who is aggressive, reactive, fearful, or anxious is hard, for everyone involved.
It can make you feel embarrassed, frustrated, helpless…
You’re seriously (and rightfully) concerned about your dog’s out-of-control behavior, worried that it’s always going to be like this.
And you know your poor dog isn’t happy, either.
Well, THERE’S HOPE.
For over two decades, I have successfully helped hundreds of clients from around the world. I will teach you to help your dog.
I have had the privilege of working with dogs with a wide variety of behavior problems, including:
- Fearfulness
- Aggression to people
- Aggression to dogs
- Reactive dogs
- Resource guarding
- Dog separation anxiety
- Dogs with noise phobia
- On-Leash aggression
- Leash reactivity
- Lunging at dogs/people
- Chasing people, cats, etc.
- Excessive chewing and home destruction
- Excessive barking
- Growling, snapping
- Hyperactivity
- Body Handling issues
- Aggression to cats and other animals
- Dogs aggression at the vet’s or groomer’s
- Chronic housebreaking issues
The Holistic Spirit approach is different.
Did you know? Your dog isn’t GIVING you a hard time, your dog is HAVING a hard time!
Dogs don’t misbehave to annoy us. They do it for very deep reasons: an unbalanced emotional state, a health issue you may not be aware of, a specific mental state, or even simply not having their needs met properly.
So each of my programs begins with an extensive review of your dog’s history, issues, habits and more. This is a crucial part in helping you understand the problem, and creating a customized plan to help your dog.
Next is applying “relationship first aid”: things you can do right now to resolve frustration and deepen your relationship with your dog. We will also consider your habits and daily routine and how these affect your dog. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you, not judge you, I promise.
For those who are seeking an even deeper emotional and behavioral balance for their dogs, I will show you how to utilize a unique system of holistic care for dogs, to support and rebalance every aspect of your dog’s life in order to achieve physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Incorporating principles of the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Dogs (TCM for dogs) and some gentle (but powerful!) holistic modalities such as Essential Oils for Dogs, Bach Flower Remedies for Dogs, Canine Acupressure and more, we’ll gently help your dog regain their balance and bring harmony back into your life together.
Once I create a customized plan for your dog, our behavior modification work will harness the power of positive reinforcement training methods. I use force free dog training techniques that have been proven safe and effective for decades. I will NOT use any outdated tools or techniques that are intended to punish, hurt or intimidate your dog. No shock, prong, choke or other types of collars.
This is a powerful combination, and it will help resolve your dog’s behavior issues gently, effectively and efficiently. We will work from a place of respect for your dog as a sentient, feeling, thinking being. This is a journey to joy, for both of you… You and your dog deserve nothing less.
Why work with me?
I am a multi-certified, TEDx lecturer, dog behavior professional.
I have taught other dog professionals how to work with “difficult” dogs for two decades, as well as teaching dog owners how to train their own dogs successfully. I received my certification as an Assistance Dog Instructor (teacher to both dogs and humans) through Assistance Dogs International, Inc., following a 3-level full-time-job apprenticeship program with a national Service Dog organization. I am also a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Reiki Master (Usui and Tibetan), and a Total Balance Method™ holistic practitioner (certification pending), and I attend multiple seminars and lectures each year as I believe one should never stop learning and perfecting their craft! This means I bring a vast experience and unique perspective to the work, so you can be confident that I CAN help you and your dog!
This isn't just another "dog training program".
Training is just a part of my program. What makes my program unique is that we’ll consider and address everything that is affecting your and your dog’s lives, and how those points interact to help – or hinder – your goals and your joy. This means you’ll see dramatic improvements in your dog’s behavior, much faster than you likely imagined!
My clients get MORE.
Unlike other trainers, I only take on a handful(!) of clients at a time so that I can give each one of you all the support you need while working with your dog. I don’t want you to ever feel alone, confused or lost in the process. So, I take the time to answer all of your questions, help you sift through conflicting advice you hear, or deal with “helpful” comments made by family and friends (those can be so discouraging…). I’ll encourage and support you as we evaluate setbacks (because dogs aren’t robots), and you can even send me videos of your practice sessions with your dog for feedback between our scheduled sessions! Why? Because this increased level of support will help you stay on track and achieve your goals for your dog! And that is my goal, after all.
I’ve been where you are!
Dealing with a behavior issue in your dog can be a frustrating, lonely, exhausting and sometimes even terrifying experience. I know, because I’ve been there! I have not only helped hundreds of clients with their “problem dogs”… I have lived with and loved a dog of my own who was severely dog-aggressive. You see that beautiful Labrador Retriever at the top of the page, with the glasses? That’s my Eric, who lived with us for 8 years and will always be in our hearts. He died of cancer in February 2020, at the young age of nine. Eric was a shelter dog, and he had BIG behavior issues… and that made life with him very hard for our family sometimes (have I mentioned our kids were little when we adopted him, and we lived in an apartment building with lots of other dogs and their uncaring owners? Yup, it was a challenge, alright!).
I know what it feels like to have those scary “oh crap!” moments, and challenging days. And because I have been there with my own dog and family, I can better help you to navigate those tough spots, and teach you just how to react so you can keep everyone safe, and not lose your cool (or your faith in your dog). I’ll help you achieve an easier, happier life with your dog, with an even deeper bond and a closer relationship between you. You both deserve it.
I will empower you to help your own dog.
I will journey with you and be your guide for as long as you need me to; I will help you define and clarify your goals, and coach you as we work to achieve them together; I will support you in any way that I can along this journey. But my goal is always to utilize my skills to help you, and then to get out of the way, and let you and your dog dance on – without me as a third wheel. When you finish the program, assuming you have done all I have taught you to do, you will no longer need me (though my clients always say they wish our sessions would never end!). You and your dog will continue on your unique and beautiful journey together, secure and confident in your new skills and knowledge. This means I will be the last trainer you’ll ever need for your dog.
Services Offered:
In-home private dog training (Central VA, USA)
I love working with clients in their own homes – in the dog’s natural environment. My service area includes about a 20-mile radius of Montpelier, Virginia, including the northern edges of RVA (see page footer for more details). If you are local and your dog is fearful, anxious, reactive or aggressive, schedule a free phone consultation and let us help you begin your Journey to Joy with your dog!
remote (online) behavior training
holistic support for your dog's wellbeing
What Customers Are Saying
Mimi L. & Gucci
Separation anxiety, aggression to humans, fears
Noy is the third trainer we have hired and we wish she had been the first!
She is so kind, extremely professional, and has such a positive way with dogs (and their owners), we wish more trainers were like her. Highly recommend!
Sara and Kahl S. and Odin
Aggression to humans, resource guarding from children
Odin has become a part of the family instead of a thing that my kids just tolerate and don’t like.
In just a few weeks of our journey with Noy (we weren’t even done with our lessons yet), our 11 year old child went from saying that she hated Odin, to saying that he was her favorite.
Our Doberman was resource guarding and biting our kids, fearful of strangers, grabbing at our clothes all the time, pulling on the leash and chasing cars while on walks, and regular obedience training was not helping us. Noy’s work has helped us to better understand and train our dogs.
O.S. & S.S. & Francis
Aggression to humans and dogs, fears and reactivity to bicycles
Our very first session with Noy changed everything! We were amazed that a dog who won’t let strangers near him, ended up completelty trusting her by the end of one hour. Noy was already rebuilding the trust between us and our dog.
Noy taught us how to help Francis experience the world in a positive way. The aggressive incidents were quickly reduced and he became a much happier, friendlier dog (though still not a Labrador LOL).
Ronnie M P. & Teddy
Excessive barking, separation anxiety
Noy changed our dog’s life, and ours! She is caring and highly professional and we warmly recommend her.
Noy has given us the tools to help our dog who suffered from separation anxiety, and we gained a deeper understanding of his needs and why he behaves the way he does.
In addition, thanks to her and the training we did, we were finally able to let our dog play off leash and trust that he will return when we called him back!
Barbara G. & Michal
Fears, reactivity, excessive barking
The changes in my fearful dog are miraculous.
Thanks, Noy!
O.S. & Joe
Fears
Noy is very professional, innovative, and works nights and days to advance the wellbeing of dogs and their people.
She is an extremely talented behavior consultant and, more importantly, a wonderful human being.
I highly recommend her!
Tammy Y. & Yolo
Fear and aggression to children
Noy is an incredible trainer with endless patience for her clients. She truly cares, and understands the needs of both humans and canines.
Noy took the time to answer my questions and advise me on a troubling situation pertaining to our child and our dog that occured between sessions. This was a unique experience for us and we are extremely grateful for her help and support.
E.H. & T.H & Bully
Reactivity, excessive barking, unruly behavior
We searched long and hard for the right trainer to work with our sensitive dog.
Noy is patient, professional and always has a positive attitude. She was always available to answer our questions or offer advice, even between sessions.
Most importantly, she gave us the right “tools” to work with our particular dog and his issues.
Maya M. & Timmy
Fears
In three words: Noy’s the best! Noy teaches dog owners how to listen to their dogs, work with them cooperatively and set them up for success so that the training is FUN.
Every week, my dog and I learned more about each other than I thought possible; she taught me how to see deeper into my dog’s psyche and understand his world, as we helped him adjust to human society.
Noy always brought a smile to both of our faces and explained everything patiently and clearly. It’s been a pleasure!