Certified Dog Trainers in Lakewood, Colorado

Force-free dog training and customized, low-stress dog boarding and board & train in Denver metro, Colorado.

Grace Dog Training & Behavior relies on scientifically proven methods to teach and build desired behavior. Dogs learn skills and manners while still having fun. Grace Dog Training & Behavior offers in person private private training, phone and video consultations, on-line and in person workshops and seminars. Our team has over 25 years of experience with basic manners, impulse control, and aggression management. We will design a training program tailored to your needs, creating a safe and effective training environment for you and your dog.

Positive reinforcement trainer and sitter located in Lakewood, CO.I do not permit the usage of electronic or prong collars on dogs of any age, my training is completely force free!

Domino Service Dogs makes it possible for people with disabilities to train and work alongside their own service dogs - restoring independence, safety, and dignity. We remove barriers to service dog ownership through ethical, evidence-based training, long-term support, and programs designed to meet real-world needs.

Joanne Oliva-Purdy received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the Graduate School of the City University of New York 's Biopsychology program which included course work in four areas of animal behavior: Ethology, Learning Theory, Developmental Psychology and Neuroscience. While working on her thesis project on zebra finches, she started working at the Bronx Zoo training keepers and doing research projects in the Bird Department. She took a particular interest in parrots at this time, traveling to different facilities to see how they cared for their parrots. While finishing up her PhD work she joined the Baltimore Zoo as their Behaviorist and spent 5 years developing enrichment programs and helping the keepers work with chimpanzees, and large carnivores (bears and cats), among other species. She left as they transitioned to The Maryland Zoo and in 2000 started her companion animal behavior consulting business, Animal Behavior Services, in 2000 while working at the USDA's Animal Welfare Information Center. She moved to Colorado in 2001, continuing to consult with caretakers of dogs, cats and parrots and taught classes to shelter staff and companion animal owners along the Front Range. She taught dog training while in Leadville but decided to specialize in cats and parrots when she moved back down to the Denver area in 2012. The methods she recommends include management of the behavior problem, Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning, using positive reinforcement, and Environmental Enrichment. She avoids using punishment that produces fear or pain as they often produce undesirable side effects and damage the relationship you have with your pet. She looks forward to helping you and your companion improve your relationship.

My goal is to help you learn how to effectively train your dog. I also work as a veterinary assistant and not only do I understand, but I value, the balance between medicating, training, and behavior modification. I specialize in behavior modification, but I also offer obedience training, socialization classes, virtual sessions, one-on-one sessions, AKC Trick dog and CGC classes, as well puppy classes. I have worked in the animal industry for 10 years and have been actively training dogs for 2 years. I learned to love training after spending over a year working with some of the nation’s toughest behavioral cases in a sanctuary in Nevada. I learned through hands-on experience and schooling, how to positively train and influence behavior.

I am a Colorado native who has always loved being around dogs. My dad would always tell me, “You sure have a way with dogs!” Even though my life path did not lead me immediately into the dog world, I stayed continuously active doing volunteer work at the local humane society, helping dogs in shelters for many, many years. In 2008 I obtained a certificate in canine massage therapy, where I was able to further help the dogs in the shelters, but it just was not enough for me. Shortly after that, I decided that I needed to find a career that not only involved working with dogs on a level that would allow me to incorporate my love and natural connection with dogs but also put my skills to work to help owners have the best relationships they could with their pups as well. I enrolled in and graduated from the Animal Behavior College as a certified dog trainer. I currently have two dogs of my own – both rescues. A Newfoundland/Golden Retriever mix named Jamie and a Cattle Dog mix named Emma. Emma helped me to get certified as a dog trainer by assisting me in the externship portion of the college course. Dog Obedience Training

I have loved animals my whole life and recently decided to get my certification in dog training. While on this journey I have opened my home for dog sitting overnight care, day care and dog walking as part of my services. To date I have watched 22 different breeds of dogs and counting! I volunteer at the Foothills Animal Shelter a day or two a week walking dogs. I am an avid hiker, gardener and I love to get out to the lake and go fishing with my husband. I have two dogs of my own, Josie and Lucy, who have helped me with my training. I must say we have done a great job learning together! My mission is helping owners improve communication with their pets, provide solutions to those frustrated pet owners for common behavior problems like jumping up on people, barking, chewing, etc! Lets get started!