Meet the Heart Behind Pacific K-9 Training: Expert Behaviour Focused Dog Training for Reactive and Aggressive Dogs
How It All Began
My journey into dog training wasn’t planned, it came from personal experiences that shaped my approach. 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. At first. This experience was my first real lesson in how challenging and complex dog behavior can be.
The Dogs That Shaped My Path
Brutus
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.
Sugar
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.
From Struggles To Strength
Through patience, dedicated training, and behaviour 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.
Last 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 behavioural 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 behaviour 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.
Why I Chose Behaviour Focused Training
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 behaviour modification. This journey into understanding dog behavior was deeply personal. I had already spent years training my own dogs, but this experience solidified my path as a behaviour focused dog trainer.
What We Do at Pacific K-9 Training
At Pacific K-9 Training, my mission is to help dogs and their families build calm, confident lives together. I specialize in behaviour focused dog training for reactivity, aggression, and anxiety, using positive methods that strengthen trust and respect between you and your dog.
If you’re struggling with leash reactivity, separation anxiety, or just need help with basic obedience, my customized training plans meet your dog’s unique needs. With options for in person or virtual coaching, I make it simple to bring out the best in your dog. At home, on walks, and beyond!
At Pacific K-9 Training, I believe every dog deserves to be truly understood, not just managed. My approach is built on mutual respect: I listen to your dog’s boundaries and tailor each step of training to their unique personality, rather than using a one size fits all method.
Instead of slapping a quick fix on unwanted behaviours, I look deeper to uncover the root causes. Like fear, anxiety, overexcitement, or a lack of clear communication. By addressing the ‘why’ behind the behaviour, we create lasting change instead of temporary results.
This means your dog isn’t just following commands they’re also learning in a way that feels safe, respectful, and empowering. The result is a calmer, more confident dog and a stronger bond between you and your companion!
What Makes My Approach Different
Ready to Transform Your Dog’s Behavior?
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 behaviour today!
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 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.
“My family was amazed at how quickly we saw progress. Our dog went from being anxious and reactive to calm and behaved within just a few sessions. The training methods were practical and easy for us to continue at home.The trainer didn’t waste any time everything was customized to our dog’s specific needs, and it was clear we were getting the best results for the price"
— Rachel H.
"I was just looking for some basic obedience training in Mission for my puppy, and this trainer was perfect! 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!