A Dog’s Tail

Training is science-backed, positive reinforcement-based, and focused on behavior modification. Services begin with a consultation to assess the dog’s needs, followed by customized sessions that may be ongoing or intensive, depending on the issue. Training emphasizes understanding canine communication, reducing stress, and building confidence using enrichment and ACE principles. All methods are fear-free and tailored to the dog’s individual nervous system and history.

Pricing Summary

Training pricing details are not listed; clients are directed to contact for custom quotes. Short-term walks: $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 60 minutes; additional dog +$10. Home visits start at $100/day for two 1-hour visits; two dogs start at $135/day. Boarding: $95/day for one dog, $130+/day for two dogs. Discounts available for extended stays.

Policies

Boarding requires two consultations—one in the client’s home and one in Susan’s home. Dogs from multiple households must meet in her home. A vet check within 10 days of boarding is required to ensure no contagious illness; a negative fecal test within six months is required. No vaccinations are required except rabies. No cancellation or rescheduling policies for training are specified.

A Dog’s Tail is a professional dog training and care service based in Redmond, WA, founded by Susan, a dedicated dog advocate with firsthand experience caring for a special needs dog. Susan provides science-backed, positive reinforcement training focused on behavior modification to help dog owners understand and communicate with their pets in a fear-free way. She specializes in dogs with medical or behavioral special needs, including fearfulness, reactivity, separation anxiety, and other challenges. In addition to training, she offers in-home pet sitting, short-term dog walking, and boarding services tailored to dogs with unique requirements, ensuring consistent care whether the guardian is home or away. Her training approach is rooted in Animal Centered Education (ACE) and enrichment-based methods, emphasizing observation, agency, and reducing stress for the dog. Susan’s deep experience includes volunteering with hundreds of dogs at Seattle Humane Society and Homeward Pet Adoption Center, using clicker training, counterconditioning, and desensitization techniques.

She requires two consultations before boarding— one in the client’s home and one in her own—to ensure compatibility and safety. Vaccinations are not required except for rabies, and she accommodates dogs with medical restrictions. Her services are designed for guardians who need reliable, compassionate support during life disruptions like illness, work demands, or family emergencies.

Accomplishments

Susan has volunteered for over five years at Seattle Humane Society and Homeward Pet Adoption Center, working with hundreds of dogs with behavioral challenges using positive methods. She is currently enrolled in The Practice of Enrichment & Training for Pet Professionals (PETPro) under Pet Harmony and is pursuing certification as an ACE (Animal Centered Education) Trainer. She co-authored no books but is mentored by authors of “Canine Enrichment for the Real World.”

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with contacting Susan via phone or email to schedule a consultation. For boarding, two consultations are required: one in the client’s home and one in Susan’s home. For training, an initial consultation is needed to assess the dog’s behavior and create a customized plan.