Calm, Confident, and Happy Dogs.
Personalized Training in Walla Walla, WA.
Every dog deserves to feel safe, understood, and confident. At StayWildDog, we specialize in personalized, Fear-Free training for reactive, anxious, and overexcited dogs. Our mission is to reduce stress and build trust so your dog can thrive at home, on walks, and in the community.
We know how overwhelming it feels when daily life with your dog is filled with barking, pulling, or reactivity. That’s why we create customized training plans designed for real families — focusing on calm communication, practical skills, and lasting behavior change.
With proven positive reinforcement methods, we not only teach your dog new behaviors but also reshape emotional responses, helping them relax, focus, and succeed. Clients choose us because we combine science-backed training with genuine care, ensuring every session is supportive for both dogs and their people.
Whether your goal is peaceful walks, less reactivity, or simply a calmer household, we’ll guide you step by step. Book your free discovery call today and see why StayWildDog is Walla Walla’s trusted choice for effective, compassionate dog training.
Learn from the Experts!
Choosing a trainer can feel overwhelming with so many approaches out there. At StayWildDog Training, we keep it simple — our methods are science-backed and built on proven techniques from certified behavior professionals and trusted organizations.
This ensures your dog learns in a safe, positive, and effective way.
Effective Dog Training Featuring Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, trainer and animal behaviorist.
Dog Training without Fear featuring Debbie Martin,
LVT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, VTS
Fear Free Tips for Working with Reactive Dogs
Featuring Mikkel Becker,
CBCC-KA, CDBC, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CTC
Tips for Fear & Reactivity on Walks
Featuring Emily Larlham, AKA
KIKOPUP
Help for Dog Aggression, Frustration, and Fear: Quick Intro to BAT 2.0
featuring Grisha Stewart
MA, CPDT-KA, KPACTP
SCHEDULE A FREE
DISCOVERY CALL
Reserve a 15-minute phone consultation with your trainer at no charge.
This free service is a great opportunity to understand how we can help transition from your current situation to achieving your desired training goals with your dog.
Click here to schedule a call
PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING SERVICES IN WALLA WALLA, WA
Small Call to Action Headline
We focus on personalized, Fear-Free Training methods tailored to each dog's needs, emphasizing the reduction of fear and anxiety in reactive dogs. Our process involves crafting a customized plan, guiding you through effective communication techniques, understanding your dog’s body language, and transforming problematic behaviors into positive responses. This approach not only trains new behaviors but also shifts your dog's emotional reactions, ensuring a comprehensive and gentle training experience. While we specialize in over-reactive cases, we can help you with the majority of your training needs. Including core skill building, leash pulling and other problematic behaviors.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
Leum is the best I’ve seen.
I have a 2 year old malinois pup with major reactivity. I previously had been struggling for a while trying everything I could think of. StayWild is the best approach I've seen anywhere. I think they saved my animals life. I am so grateful. 100/10 I highly recommend for any behavior training. Go find a dog and train with him immediately.
-Dae
Leum helped us transform our reactive cattle dog!
Leum has helped us transform our reactive cattle dog, Jake, to one who can now sit under the table at the brewery while we enjoy a beer. When he first came out no one could get within 10 feet of us without our dog reacting. He is now mostly comfortable with strangers coming up and talking with us at home and on the streets. I highly recommend Leum and StayWild to anyone that wants to build a better relationship with their dog.
- Erin
Highly recommend him!
Leum has been an excellent source of assistance and information for my three pups! He's helped from very early on with getting their foundations in as well as exercises as they've grown! And all of this has been done from across the country! I highly recommend him, whether you're local and can do in person (which I would in a heartbeat if I could!) OR you go for the Zoomies program and build with your pup from anywhere!
- Casey
Leum is a wonderful trainer!
StayWildDog Training has made all the difference for our family. Our pup is very anxious and Leum provided us with skills and ideas to help all of us work better together. It’s nice know that Leum is available when needed. Prices are reasonable and the training is exceptional!
- Pam
SCHEDULE A FREE
DISCOVERY CALL
Reserve a 15-minute phone consultation
with your trainer at no charge.
This free service is a great opportunity to understand how we can help transition from your current situation to achieving your desired training goals with your dog.
Click here to schedule a call
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
Leum is the best I’ve seen.
I have a 2 year old malinois pup with major reactivity. I previously had been struggling for a while trying everything I could think of. StayWild is the best approach I've seen anywhere. I think they saved my animals life. I am so grateful. 100/10 I highly recommend for any behavior training. Go find a dog and train with him immediately.
-Dae
Leum helped us transform our reactive cattle dog!
Leum has helped us transform our reactive cattle dog, Jake, to one who can now sit under the table at the brewery while we enjoy a beer. When he first came out no one could get within 10 feet of us without our dog reacting. He is now mostly comfortable with strangers coming up and talking with us at home and on the streets. I highly recommend Leum and StayWild to anyone that wants to build a better relationship with their dog.
- Erin
Highly recommend him!
Leum has been an excellent source of assistance and information for my three pups! He's helped from very early on with getting their foundations in as well as exercises as they've grown! And all of this has been done from across the country! I highly recommend him, whether you're local and can do in person (which I would in a heartbeat if I could!) OR you go for the Zoomies program and build with your pup from anywhere!
- Casey
Leum is a wonderful trainer!
StayWildDog Training has made all the difference for our family. Our pup is very anxious and Leum provided us with skills and ideas to help all of us work better together. It’s nice know that Leum is available when needed. Prices are reasonable and the training is exceptional!
- Pam
We Are Professional,
Certified, & Force-Free!
At StayWildDog Training, we believe that working with animals is a responsibility that deserves the highest level of care and professionalism. That’s why we hold ourselves to the strictest standards in the industry.
We are proud to be certified through multiple respected organizations that promote science-backed, force-free training methods. These certifications reflect our commitment to ongoing education, ethical handling, and the use of positive reinforcement that’s proven to support both learning and well-being.
Every dog deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and every client deserves a trainer who stays current with the latest research in animal behavior. When you choose us, you can trust that you’re working with a trainer who values compassion, evidence-based practices, and the lifelong bond between you and your dog.
We Are Professional,
Certified, & Force-Free!
At StayWildDog Training, we believe that working with animals is a responsibility that deserves the highest level of care and professionalism. That’s why we hold ourselves to the strictest standards in the industry.
We are proud to be certified through multiple respected organizations that promote science-backed, force-free training methods. These certifications reflect our commitment to ongoing education, ethical handling, and the use of positive reinforcement that’s proven to support both learning and well-being.
Every dog deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and every client deserves a trainer who stays current with the latest research in animal behavior. When you choose us, you can trust that you’re working with a trainer who values compassion, evidence-based practices, and the lifelong bond between you and your dog.
We Are Professional,
Certified, & Force-Free!
At StayWildDog Training, we believe that working with animals is a responsibility that deserves the highest level of care and professionalism. That’s why we hold ourselves to the strictest standards in the industry.
We are proud to be certified through multiple respected organizations that promote
science-backed, force-free training methods.
These certifications reflect our commitment to ongoing education, ethical handling, and the use of positive reinforcement that’s proven to support both learning and well-being.
Every dog deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and every client deserves a trainer who stays current with the latest research in animal behavior.
When you choose us, you can trust that you’re working with a trainer who values compassion, evidence-based practices, and the lifelong bond between you and your dog.
We Are Professional,
Certified, & Force-Free!
At StayWildDog Training, we believe that working with animals is a responsibility that deserves the highest level of care and professionalism. That’s why we hold ourselves to the strictest standards in the industry.
We are proud to be certified through multiple respected organizations that promote
science-backed, force-free training methods.
These certifications reflect our commitment to ongoing education, ethical handling, and the use of positive reinforcement that’s proven to support both learning and well-being.
Every dog deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and every client deserves a trainer who stays current with the latest research in animal behavior.
When you choose us, you can trust that you’re working with a trainer who values compassion, evidence-based practices, and the lifelong bond between you and your dog.
What do we offer?
Consultations & Training Plans
Every consultation is tailored to understand your dog's unique needs and behavior. Based on this, we develop a personalized training plan that focuses on achieving realistic goals through fear-free techniques.
In-Home Private Training Sessions
Provide personalized guidance and training directly in your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable. These tailored encounters focus on addressing specific challenges, facilitating effective learning and behavior adjustment in a familiar setting.
Virtual Dog Training
Offer the convenience of accessing professional dog training from anywhere, ideal for busy schedules or remote locations. These online meetings are designed to provide personalized advice and strategies, ensuring your dog’s training progresses no matter the distance.
Life-Training
30-minute bursts designed to teach practical skills in real-world scenarios. These quick, focused sessions efficiently address specific training goals, ensuring your dog learns essential behaviors in short, manageable increments.
Adventure Dog Classes
Adventure classes take dog training to the outdoors, combining skill-building with the excitement of new environments. These sessions help dogs learn to adapt to various settings while enhancing their social skills and responsiveness in a fun, dynamic way.
Event Dog Training
Event trainings are specialized sessions that prepare your dog for specific occasions, such as parties, vet visits, or gatherings. These trainings focus on helping your dog navigate crowded or unusual environments confidently and calmly.
Public Speaking & Seminars
As a public speaker, I deliver engaging seminars on dog behavior and training, providing essential insights and humane training methods to pet owners and enthusiasts. My presentations are perfect for conferences and community events, aiming to enhance pet welfare understanding and training practices.
What do we offer?
Consultations & Training Plans
Every consultation is tailored to understand your dog's unique needs and behavior. Based on this, we develop a personalized training plan that focuses on achieving realistic goals through fear-free techniques.
In-Home Private Training Sessions
Provide personalized guidance and training directly in your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable. These tailored encounters focus on addressing specific challenges, facilitating effective learning and behavior adjustment in a familiar setting.
Virtual Dog Training
Offer the convenience of accessing professional dog training from anywhere, ideal for busy schedules or remote locations. These online meetings are designed to provide personalized advice and strategies, ensuring your dog’s training progresses no matter the distance.
Life-Training
30-minute bursts designed to teach practical skills in real-world scenarios. These quick, focused sessions efficiently address specific training goals, ensuring your dog learns essential behaviors in short, manageable increments.
Adventure Dog Classes
Adventure classes take dog training to the outdoors, combining skill-building with the excitement of new environments. These sessions help dogs learn to adapt to various settings while enhancing their social skills and responsiveness in a fun, dynamic way.
Event Dog Training
Event trainings are specialized sessions that prepare your dog for specific occasions, such as parties, vet visits, or gatherings. These trainings focus on helping your dog navigate crowded or unusual environments confidently and calmly.
Public Speaking & Seminars
As a public speaker, I deliver engaging seminars on dog behavior and training, providing essential insights and humane training methods to pet owners and enthusiasts. My presentations are perfect for conferences and community events, aiming to enhance pet welfare understanding and training practices.
What do we offer?
Consultations & Training Plans
Every consultation is tailored to understand your dog's unique needs and behavior. Based on this, we develop a personalized training plan that focuses on achieving realistic goals through fear-free techniques.
In-Home Private Training Sessions
Provide personalized guidance and training directly in your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable. These tailored encounters focus on addressing specific challenges, facilitating effective learning and behavior adjustment in a familiar setting.
Virtual Dog Training
Offer the convenience of accessing professional dog training from anywhere, ideal for busy schedules or remote locations. These online meetings are designed to provide personalized advice and strategies, ensuring your dog’s training progresses no matter the distance.
Life-Training
30-minute bursts designed to teach practical skills in real-world scenarios. These quick, focused sessions efficiently address specific training goals, ensuring your dog learns essential behaviors in short, manageable increments.
Adventure Dog Classes
Adventure classes take dog training to the outdoors, combining skill-building with the excitement of new environments. These sessions help dogs learn to adapt to various settings while enhancing their social skills and responsiveness in a fun, dynamic way.
Event Dog Training
Event trainings are specialized sessions that prepare your dog for specific occasions, such as parties, vet visits, or gatherings. These trainings focus on helping your dog navigate crowded or unusual environments confidently and calmly.
Public Speaking & Seminars
As a public speaker, I deliver engaging seminars on dog behavior and training, providing essential insights and humane training methods to pet owners and enthusiasts. My presentations are perfect for conferences and community events, aiming to enhance pet welfare understanding and training practices.
where do we start?
book one of our
Consultations & training plans
At StayWildDog, consultations are the foundation of a tailored training experience for your dog. During this session, we take a comprehensive look at your dog's unique needs and identify skills to replace any undesirable behaviors.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
We’ll start with a detailed conversation about your dog’s history and your goals, including:
Training background and methods you've tried.
Skills your dog already knows.
Tools and communication strategies currently in use.
How to address challenges as they arise.
A thorough review of your dog's confidence, anxiety levels, stress, and reactivity.
This is also where we assess how your dog learns best.
Learning Assessment
Your dog’s learning style is unique, and our hands-on evaluation includes:
Testing capturing, luring, and shaping techniques to determine which works best for your dog.
Measuring response latency to cues to gauge their current skill level.
Evaluating additional criteria like duration, distance, and distraction, time permitting.
Post-Consultation:
Your Custom Training Plan
Following the consultation, we’ll compile all the insights into a customized training plan tailored to your dog's needs.
This includes:
Welcome Packet: A guide to start your journey with StayWildDog.
Training Packet: Full of info about how dogs work!
Consultation Notes: A written break down assessment from your trainer.
Training Plan: Custom made for every dog's unique needs, step-by-step action plan to success.
Links to Tools: Recommended training equipment and treats.
Guides and Graphics: Made by StayWildDog Training to help your training process in an easy, and fun way.
Future Training Suggestions: Based off your training needs, StayWildDog will quote an amount of training and time period with your consult notes.
Session Details:
Conducted In-Home: Allows a personalized experience and a way to build a plan that fits easily into your normal routine.
Last Approximately 90-minutes
Please allow 3-5 business days after your consult for your trainer to finalize notes and build a plan for your unique pup.
Consultations & Training Plans
Every consultation is tailored to understand your dog's unique needs and behavior. Based on this, we develop a personalized training plan that focuses on achieving realistic goals through fear-free techniques.
In-Home Private Training Sessions
Provide personalized guidance and training directly in your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable. These tailored encounters focus on addressing specific challenges, facilitating effective learning and behavior adjustment in a familiar setting.
Virtual Dog Training
Offer the convenience of accessing professional dog training from anywhere, ideal for busy schedules or remote locations. These online meetings are designed to provide personalized advice and strategies, ensuring your dog’s training progresses no matter the distance.
Life-Training
30-minute bursts designed to teach practical skills in real-world scenarios. These quick, focused sessions efficiently address specific training goals, ensuring your dog learns essential behaviors in short, manageable increments.
Adventure Dog Classes
Adventure classes take dog training to the outdoors, combining skill-building with the excitement of new environments. These sessions help dogs learn to adapt to various settings while enhancing their social skills and responsiveness in a fun, dynamic way.
Event Dog Training
Event trainings are specialized sessions that prepare your dog for specific occasions, such as parties, vet visits, or gatherings. These trainings focus on helping your dog navigate crowded or unusual environments confidently and calmly.
Public Speaking & Seminars
As a public speaker, I deliver engaging seminars on dog behavior and training, providing essential insights and humane training methods to pet owners and enthusiasts. My presentations are perfect for conferences and community events, aiming to enhance pet welfare understanding and training practices.
where do we start?
book one of our
Consultations & training plans
At StayWildDog, consultations are the foundation of a tailored training experience for your dog. During this session, we take a comprehensive look at your dog's unique needs and identify skills to replace any undesirable behaviors.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
We’ll start with a detailed conversation about your dog’s history and your goals, including:
Training background and methods you've tried.
Skills your dog already knows.
Tools and communication strategies currently in use.
How to address challenges as they arise.
A thorough review of your dog's confidence, anxiety levels, stress, and reactivity.
This is also where we assess how your dog learns best.
Learning Assessment
Your dog’s learning style is unique, and our hands-on evaluation includes:
Testing capturing, luring, and shaping techniques to determine which works best for your dog.
Measuring response latency to cues to gauge their current skill level.
Evaluating additional criteria like duration, distance, and distraction, time permitting.
Post-Consultation:
Your Custom Training Plan
Following the consultation, we’ll compile all the insights into a customized training plan tailored to your dog's needs.
This includes:
Welcome Packet: A guide to start your journey with StayWildDog.
Training Packet: Full of info about how dogs work!
Consultation Notes: A written break down assessment from your trainer.
Training Plan: Custom made for every dog's unique needs, step-by-step action plan to success.
Links to Tools: Recommended training equipment and treats.
Guides and Graphics: Made by StayWildDog Training to help your training process in an easy, and fun way.
Future Training Suggestions: Based off your training needs, StayWildDog will quote an amount of training and time period with your consult notes.
Session Details:
Conducted In-Home: Allows a personalized experience and a way to build a plan that fits easily into your normal routine.
Last Approximately 90-minutes
Please allow 3-5 business days after your consult for your trainer to finalize notes and build a plan for your unique pup.
What do we offer?
Consultations & Training Plans
Every consultation is tailored to understand your dog's unique needs and behavior. Based on this, we develop a personalized training plan that focuses on achieving realistic goals through fear-free techniques.
In-Home Private Training Sessions
Provide personalized guidance and training directly in your home, where you and your dog are most comfortable. These tailored encounters focus on addressing specific challenges, facilitating effective learning and behavior adjustment in a familiar setting.
Virtual Dog Training
Offer the convenience of accessing professional dog training from anywhere, ideal for busy schedules or remote locations. These online meetings are designed to provide personalized advice and strategies, ensuring your dog’s training progresses no matter the distance.
Life-Training
30-minute bursts designed to teach practical skills in real-world scenarios. These quick, focused sessions efficiently address specific training goals, ensuring your dog learns essential behaviors in short, manageable increments.
Adventure Dog Classes
Adventure classes take dog training to the outdoors, combining skill-building with the excitement of new environments. These sessions help dogs learn to adapt to various settings while enhancing their social skills and responsiveness in a fun, dynamic way.
Event Dog Training
Event trainings are specialized sessions that prepare your dog for specific occasions, such as parties, vet visits, or gatherings. These trainings focus on helping your dog navigate crowded or unusual environments confidently and calmly.
Public Speaking & Seminars
As a public speaker, I deliver engaging seminars on dog behavior and training, providing essential insights and humane training methods to pet owners and enthusiasts. My presentations are perfect for conferences and community events, aiming to enhance pet welfare understanding and training practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We are based in Walla Walla, WA, and most of our sessions take place in clients’ homes. We’re happy to travel to nearby areas such as College Place, Dixie, Waitsburg, Dayton, and Milton-Freewater (OR) and beyond!
If you live outside the Walla Walla Valley, we can still come to you — a small travel fee may apply. We’ll go over all the details during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Why do you come to our home for training sessions?
Most behavior challenges start at home, so that’s where training is most effective. Working in your dog’s own environment helps them feel comfortable and reduces distractions, which speeds up learning.
In-home sessions also make it easier to weave training into your daily routines. By starting where your dog is most likely to succeed, we build a strong foundation that carries over to walks, outings, and every part of your life together.
Do you use punishment or corrective tools?
No. We are 100% fear-free and force-free. That means no shock collars, prong collars, or intimidation. Instead, we use positive reinforcement methods that are science-backed, ethical, and proven to help dogs learn with less stress and more confidence.
What kinds of behavior issues do you work with?
We help with a wide range of needs, including reactivity, fear, anxiety, excessive barking, pulling on the leash, puppy basics, and manners, and adventure skills like off leash training, rattlesnake avoidance and so much more. If your dog struggles with feeling calm and focused, we can help.
In more complex cases, we’ll create a customized plan and, if needed, work alongside your veterinarian for the best results.
How long does training take?
Every dog learns at their own pace, and progress depends on consistency at home. Some families see changes within a few sessions, while others may need longer to build lasting habits. During your consultation, we’ll outline realistic goals and give you a clear idea of what to expect.
Do I need to be involved in the training?
Yes! Your involvement is essential. We coach you through the process so you feel confident continuing the training between sessions. This ensures that progress sticks and your dog learns to respond to you, not just the trainer.
Do you offer virtual training?
Yes. For clients outside our travel area or those who prefer working from home, we offer virtual sessions. These are especially helpful for coaching pet parents, addressing problem-solving strategies, and giving you personalized guidance no matter where you are.
Why do certifications matter in dog training?
Dog training is an unregulated field, which means anyone can call themselves a trainer — even without formal education or proven experience.
Choosing a certified trainer ensures that the person working with your dog has invested in professional development, adheres to ethical standards, and uses science-based, humane methods.
At StayWildDog, we maintain certifications that hold us accountable to ongoing learning and force-free practices. This gives you peace of mind knowing your dog is in the hands of a qualified professional.
Start your Dog's Training Journey Today
Where are you located?
We are based in Walla Walla, WA, and most of our sessions take place in clients’ homes. We’re happy to travel to nearby areas such as College Place, Dixie, Waitsburg, Dayton, and Milton-Freewater (OR) and beyond!
If you live outside the Walla Walla Valley, we can still come to you — a small travel fee may apply. We’ll go over all the details during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Why do you come to our home for training sessions?
Most behavior challenges start at home, so that’s where training is most effective. Working in your dog’s own environment helps them feel comfortable and reduces distractions, which speeds up learning.
In-home sessions also make it easier to weave training into your daily routines. By starting where your dog is most likely to succeed, we build a strong foundation that carries over to walks, outings, and every part of your life together.
Do you use punishment or corrective tools?
No. We are 100% fear-free and force-free. That means no shock collars, prong collars, or intimidation. Instead, we use positive reinforcement methods that are science-backed, ethical, and proven to help dogs learn with less stress and more confidence.
What kinds of behavior issues do you work with?
We help with a wide range of needs, including reactivity, fear, anxiety, excessive barking, pulling on the leash, puppy basics, and manners, and adventure skills like off leash training, rattlesnake avoidance and so much more. If your dog struggles with feeling calm and focused, we can help.
In more complex cases, we’ll create a customized plan and, if needed, work alongside your veterinarian for the best results.
How long does training take?
Every dog learns at their own pace, and progress depends on consistency at home. Some families see changes within a few sessions, while others may need longer to build lasting habits. During your consultation, we’ll outline realistic goals and give you a clear idea of what to expect.
Do I need to be involved in the training?
Yes! Your involvement is essential. We coach you through the process so you feel confident continuing the training between sessions. This ensures that progress sticks and your dog learns to respond to you, not just the trainer.
Do you offer virtual training?
Yes. For clients outside our travel area or those who prefer working from home, we offer virtual sessions. These are especially helpful for coaching pet parents, addressing problem-solving strategies, and giving you personalized guidance no matter where you are.
Why do certifications matter in dog training?
Dog training is an unregulated field, which means anyone can call themselves a trainer — even without formal education or proven experience.
Choosing a certified trainer ensures that the person working with your dog has invested in professional development, adheres to ethical standards, and uses science-based, humane methods.
At StayWildDog, we maintain certifications that hold us accountable to ongoing learning and force-free practices. This gives you peace of mind knowing your dog is in the hands of a qualified professional.
Innovation
Leads with pioneering techniques, constantly innovating to enhance the way we teach and interact with dogs.
Integrity
Integrity guides every decision we make, ensuring that our training methods are always ethical, transparent, and focused on the well-being of your dog.
Excellence
Committed to excellence, consistently delivering high-quality, effective training programs that foster a lifelong bond between you and your dog.
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