Meet Steve
Steve’s story
Steve got into dog training after his 15-year-old German Shepherd passed away in 2021. He started boarding dogs out of his home in Hillsboro.
Boarding led to fostering dogs, and fostering led him to want to become a dog trainer. He trained at PetSmart and worked there as a dog trainer for two years before working on his own as Dog Trainer Steve.
Meet Captain
Captain is Steve’s dog and his partner in training. He was born in 2016 and came home with Steve in 2017, a rescue from San Antonio, Texas.
When Steve works with a dog who is reactive or pulls on the leash, Captain often comes along. He helps calm the other dog down and shows them, dog to dog, what good manners look like. On walks, he’s the example.
The work Steve loves
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Getting your life back
Most of all, Steve loves helping owners who can’t walk their dog, or can’t have guests over, because of how their dog behaves, and getting them back to where they can.
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Good dogs who need manners
A hyper Labrador, a Goldendoodle who jumps on everyone and pulls on the leash: decent dogs who just haven’t learned the skills yet. Steve helps their owners set up structure at home, so the dog gets predictability and learns what’s expected where.
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Puppies
A close second: training puppies, and helping the people figuring out life with a new one.
A different kind of training.
Honestly, Steve’s training can look a little boring. First he sets the dog up and makes sure it knows what’s expected of it. After that, a lot of the work is waiting patiently and giving the dog space to make a decision.
Good decisions get rewarded. Unwanted ones get ignored, as long as it’s appropriate to ignore them. That’s Choice-Based K9 Care.
Ready to work with Steve?
Tell him about your dog. He’ll take it from there.
Book a call or consultRather talk first? Text or call Steve at 503-267-3322.