"Soon after I brought Orion home, he terrorized my 3 cats, began showing signs of aggression, and literally destroyed my apartment. Despite 9 days of training and a boarding facility with a dog trainer, Orion's aggression only got worse. I felt like I had tried everything and was ready to give up.
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Luckily, I continued training, this time with someone who could see Orion in the home and how he interacts with me. After just 2 virtual training sessions with Rhiannon, I have already been given several tools to distract Orion and refocus him when he is scared or aggressive. I also can work on establishing
boundaries through various exercises she has shown me and instructed me though with the dog. Even being a full time student with a full time job I still have been able to do training sessions weekly due to scheduling flexibility. I am so so grateful for all of Rhiannon's help and encouragement. I look forward to our future sessions and seeing how much better me and Orion's relationship will be! Next step is getting him over his fear of the car. I'm excited to see how far he comes and hopefully one day have him jump in on his own free will :) thank you Rhiannon for all your help!"
Anna Claire, SC
About Canis Fidelis
I cried every day for a whole month when I first brought home my rescue Rottweiler, Klaus. It broke my heart how he was so afraid to go potty in my presence that he would hold himself until he was leaking. He chewed through multiple leashes and harnesses. I couldn't leave him alone for more than a few minutes - he was a master at crate escape and even broke out of my apartment and one of my car windows (no injuries, thankfully!). And I can't forget his outbursts towards other dogs. We could be a football field away and he'd be at the end of the leash pulling me almost off my feet. Due to my ignorance he even managed to bite another dog in the face; luckily he didn't seriously injure the other dog and the other dog owner was unusually cool about the whole thing. But it really rattled me how bad that situation could have been.
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All of that happened within one month of brining him home. I was at a breaking point. I felt I either needed to re-home him or do some serious research and work on training him. I decided he was stuck with me no matter what, so it was time to get to work. This is the origin story of Canis Fidelis.
Get started in 3 easy steps
1. Tell me about your dog!
Submit the contact form at the bottom of this page to introduce yourself and your dog. You can't give too many details! I'll get back to you in the way you prefer (text, call, email) within a day or two so we can move on to the next step towards working together.
2. Schedule a consultation
$100 value charge
Before working together we'll meet to chat more about your doggie problems and goals. This ensures you get the best value from me by making sure you're enrolled in the appropriate program for your goals and preferences. It also allows you to meet me and make sure I'd be the right fit for you before you commit to a program. You'll receive a copy of the consultation report, which will include some recommendations and suggestions to help ease your situation while you decide on a training program or check out other trainers. The consultation value charge can be applied as a credit towards any standard program.
3. Enroll in a program
My programs are designed to include everything you might need and some things you just might want. From teaching your puppy the basics to helping your adult dog overcome fears and reactivity, I've got you covered. Whether you want to work more independently to fit your busy schedule or you want the most direct help from me as possible, I've got options for you.
Programs
Unlike other trainers, my programs:
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are done through private lessons so that you're sure to get my full attention.
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no group classes.
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tackle problems right at the source.
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no sending your dog off to a facility.
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implement the latest proven training methods to give you the best results.
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no outdated and ineffective methods that rely on fear or pain.
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are personalized to your goals, needs, and preferences.
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we'll find solutions that fit your unique life.
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teach you the skills you need to be successful with your dog.
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you, your dog, and I will make an awesome team!
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are results-based, meaning there's no hard time limit or number of lessons.
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you won't have to worry about paying for more of my time if you have a complicated situation.
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The biggest difference between programs is that the larger programs make sure you can trust your dog in more situations. You can choose how much your dog learns and in what capacity we meet. The more your dog learns the more freedom you'll have with your dog, and the more I get to work with you and your dog the faster you'll get to where you want to be. Larger programs also have more long-term support after the program ends to ensure you have expert support should you need it.​​
Managed Mayhem
Does your dog constantly bark, chew your belongings, or dig up your yard? Does your dog refuse to go in a crate? Is your dog a bite-risk?
Are you a first-time dog guardian struggling to understand what makes your dog tick? Are you looking for quick tips and tricks to help reduce stress in your situation while giving you resources to learn more on your own?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this program might be the right fit for you!
People in this program appreciate the knowledge they gain about their dogs and enjoy the relief they feel in their situations with simple tips and tricks that don’t require teaching their dog much.
This program is great if:
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safety is one of your top priorities
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your dog seems bored
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you’re a first time dog guardian
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you’re not necessarily looking for a complete solution - quick and simple tips for even some relief would be awesome for you
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you prefer to learn and troubleshoot more independently
This program is typically completed in about 4-5 weeks and includes:​
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2 virtual follow-up calls after the program ends
Peaceful Pup
Not sure how to stop your dog from going nuts when they see another dog or person? Do you feel like your life revolves around your dog because they can’t be left alone?
Or, are you tired of your dog pulling on leash, jumping on people, or not coming when called? Feeling frustrated because you dog will only listen if they know you have a treat?
This program offers one of two possible pathways for you to live more happily with your dog:
Behavior transformation: We will address the root causes of your dog’s challenging behaviors, like barking and lunging at other dogs, fear of people or environments, or crippling separation anxiety, so that you and your dog can live more safely and relaxed together.
Essential skills: We’ll focus on teaching your dog practical cues and skills like “stay,” “come,” not jumping on people, and more, so that you don’t have to feel embarrassed anymore by your dog’s poor manners or feel stressed about managing your dog 24/7.
People who complete this program often feel more confident and certain about life with their dogs.
This program is great if:
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you want to train your puppy or new rescue before problems even have a chance to arise
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your dog doesn’t handle being left alone very well
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it’s currently difficult or unenjoyable to walk your dog
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you want your dog to learn boundaries and how to settle so you don’t have to manage them so much and you can worry about them less
This program is typically completed in about 8-10 weeks and includes:​
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3 months of support after the program ends to help keep you and your dog on the right track
Totally Thriving
This program is the most popular because it offers the most support
and accountability, while also delivering the fastest and best results.
This program combines the best of both worlds, addressing challenging unwanted behaviors AND building essential skills for the perfect canine companion. The goal of this program is to cover all of the bases to set you and your dog up for success in your current everyday life and beyond.
This program includes both options in the “Managed Mayhem” program. Imagine your dog walking nicely on the leash as soon as you leave your house AND remaining calm when they see another dog across the street. Imagine your dog not barking incessantly at guests in the home AND your dog not jumping on people or running out the front door. Have you ever dreamed of taking your dog to a restaurant patio, to a dog-friendly store, on a high-traffic hike, or maybe even to visit family? This program makes that all possible too.
People in this program often see positive results after just one lesson and often reach goals they never thought possible.
This program is great if:
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you love the idea of friends, family, and even strangers commenting on how well-behaved your dog is
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you want a dog you can confidently take anywhere
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you don’t want to constantly ask your dog to “leave it” or get “off” - you want some boundaries to just be routine habit
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you want to see the fastest and best results at the highest level of convenience
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you never want to have to find another trainer for anything ever again
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you want the peace of mind that you’ll have access to expert help whenever you need it for the rest of your dog’s life
This program is typically completed in about 10-12 weeks and includes:​
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option for trainer-only lessons to free up your time while speeding up the training process
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lifetime support after the program ends so that you’re covered no matter what life throws at you and your dog
Testimonials
My Story
My name is Rhiannon and I love helping people live happily and peacefully with their dogs.
When I decided to earn my PhD in Geophysics and become Dr. Rhiannon, I knew I loved research and solving problems. Geophysics was a natural progression from my Bachelor’s in Physics, and it was interesting enough. But as I continued developing my research and problem-solving skills and applying them to my own life, it became clear to me that I was significantly more passionate about solving other problems – particularly those involving my dogs. It has been deeply and profoundly rewarding to help my dogs overcome problems on the behavior side from severe separation anxiety and reactivity to problems on the wellness side, like constant skin yeast infections and allergies.
I understand firsthand how sad, frustrating, and expensive it can be to live with both troubled and ill dogs, and I would love for nothing more than to help you and your beloved pup overcome your challenges and live happy and healthy together.
My Dogs
These are the pups who taught (and continue to teach!) me much of what I needed to learn to be able to help others with their dogs.
