About Drop the Leash LLC Dog Training and Behavior Consultant
Dog behavior problems are rarely about the dog. I help Northern Michigan dog owners understand what's really behind their dog's behavior and how to help them.
As a certified specialist (KPA CTP, CBCC-KA, LFDM) with over 30 years of experience across breeds, behaviors, and the full complexity of life with dogs, I give as much attention to the person holding the leash as the dog on it.
Through Family Dog Mediation, private behavior consulting, practical Life Skills group classes, and virtual services nationwide, I provide simple and effective behavior solutions no matter your location.
Serving all of Northern Michigan for in-person group classes and nationwide virtually. Visit my website to learn more and schedule a Discovery Call.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
House trainingProgram details
Leash trainingProgram details
Obedience trainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns causing growling, snapping, or severe reactivity, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Reactivity trainingProgram details
How training happens
Group classesProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Online or virtual trainingProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog age
PuppiesProgram details
Training level
Beginner trainingProgram details
Support between sessions
Personalized training plansProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Your dog’s background
Rescue dogsProgram details
Training approach
Clicker trainingProgram details
Positive reinforcementProgram details
Other listed services
View 30 additional details
Dog trainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Behavior AnalysisProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Behavior ChangeProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Canine Behavior CoachProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Certified Behavior ConsultantProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog Behavior SpecialistProgram details
Elite, independent board certifications specializing in complex canine behavior. I provide families with safe, science-backed solutions for fear, aggression, and reactivity by looking at the whole picture. I address the root causes of behavior so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog Trainer & Behavior ConsultantProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Family Dog MediationProgram details
Licensed Family Dog Mediation assessing your dog’s genetics, environment, history, and individual self. I decode what your dog is communicating so you can make practical changes that actually make life easier for both of you.
Personalized CoachingProgram details
Private Coaching ProgramsProgram details
Canine Behavior ConsultantProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns causing growling, snapping, or severe reactivity, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Coaching SessionsProgram details
Dog ConsultationProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Dog LearnProgram details
Dog Training ProgramsProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Dog's BehaviorProgram details
Family Dog ProgramsProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Family Dog TrainingProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Online CoachingProgram details
Elite, board-certified behavior consulting delivered straight to your home via Zoom. Providing families with safe, science-backed solutions for complex fear, aggression, and reactivity. I address the root causes so you get real, lasting relief.
Problem BehaviorProgram details
When your household is in a behavior crisis, simple advice isn't enough. I help you slow down, clarify the patterns affecting your dog's behavior, and establish immediate safety and relief. Virtual behavior consultations available nationwide.
Specific TrainingProgram details
Teaching Your DogProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Training & BehaviorProgram details
Animal CareProgram details
Dog Training InstructorProgram details
Homeschool ProgramProgram details
Master TrainerProgram details
Online ProgramsProgram details
Study ProgramProgram details
Training Your DogProgram details
Practical Life Skills programs for Northern Michigan families. Serving Johannesburg, Gaylord, and surrounding communities with in-person small-group workshops and online programs. Learn how to replace stress and chaos with a reliable connection and cooperation when the world gets exciting.
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Business-stated qualifications
Qualifications stated by the business, not independently verified.
5/5I would give Val 15 stars if I could! My Texas Heeler and I did the Behavior 911 Program together last summer and it was worth every single second. My connection with Phillip has tremendously grown. I was unsure of online training initially but the knowledge I gained as an owner …Read full reviewClose full review
I would give Val 15 stars if I could! My Texas Heeler and I did the Behavior 911 Program together last summer and it was worth every single second. My connection with Phillip has tremendously grown. I was unsure of online training initially but the knowledge I gained as an owner will be valuable for years to come. Val is incredibly knowledgeable, and continues her education as well. You can tell she truly does love them. Shock-collar, scare tactics are NOT used which was something I appreciated a lot with my already fearful, reactive doggie. I’m so grateful I found Val to help us through our trials and tribulations. Our lives truly would not be the same without her. ❤️
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Abigail VanHorn
5/5I adopted a mother (Rey) and son (Vader) dachshund from a rescue. Rey was rescued from a puppy mill and like most dogs from a puppy mill she was extremely fearful of people and animals. She was afraid to be picked up by anyone other than me. One day we were outside and a single…Read full reviewClose full review
I adopted a mother (Rey) and son (Vader) dachshund from a rescue. Rey was rescued from a puppy mill and like most dogs from a puppy mill she was extremely fearful of people and animals. She was afraid to be picked up by anyone other than me. One day we were outside and a single person walked by and she didn't stop barking for 45 minutes! That is when I knew I needed help. I reached out to Valeria. Fast forward six months later, I now have a dog who while still having fear issues, recovers quickly and actually handled my husband and I leaving for a few hours while a dog sitter came to the house to spend time with Rey and Vader. I can tell you six months prior I wasn't sure we would ever get to this point. We listened to Valeria's guidance and worked the program. While we still have work to do, the knowledge Valeria has for working with fearful dogs is without a doubt invaluable. The K9 Homeschool program takes work. But if you put in the effort with Valeria's guidance you will achieve what you want. I was very worried that not attending physical classes wouldn't be beneficial for me. However I was very wrong. I learn by repetition. Having constant access to the training videos which I can watch over and over again benefited my learning much more so than a single class once a week. The online program allows user to post videos of their progress during the week which allows Valeria (and other students) to comment and provide guidance. This way you aren't just getting a single lesson once a week but many more. Never did a situation pop up that Valeria didn't have an answer to or a suggestion on how to correct an issue. So much of the knowledge I gained from this program will last not only with these dogs but any others I might have in the future. I can't thank Valeria enough for equipping me with the tools I need to provide the best for my dogs.
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Laura Scott
5/5
There is none in our area that can compare to Valerie's wealth of knowledge!
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Angie Karvala
5/5
Valeria is an outstanding trainer with extensive training in the most up to date training methods. Purely positive, she teaches you how to teach your dog without punishment. What you get is a dog that is happy to be your partner and you gain the skills to continue teaching him on your own if you'd like or continue on with more advanced classes.
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Mary Blaauw
5/5My lab Idgie, and I are profoundly grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to work with such a professional as Valeria. I have specific challenges that I live with both cognitively and physically, and yet, and she has been nothing short of awesome. She’s knowledgeable, hig…Read full reviewClose full review
My lab Idgie, and I are profoundly grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to work with such a professional as Valeria. I have specific challenges that I live with both cognitively and physically, and yet, and she has been nothing short of awesome. She’s knowledgeable, highly educated, and patient with both of us, individually as well as collectively. We value her instruction and input, and have in a short time learned a great deal from her via guidance, instruction and demeanor. She has always been punctual, and kind, and is very good at communication both verbal and written. She has indeed provided us with successful and positive outcomes. We have been blessed to have her in our lives. We have recommended Valeria to our friends and family and they consistently verbalize and validate our progress. Thank you!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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