Dog Defined LLC (dog training)
Service area: Serves Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, Washington; also offers virtual training for clients outside this area.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
- Competition / Agility
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Barking Excessively
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Herding
- Sporting
- Working
- Doodles
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Training begins with a 90-minute Initial Consult (in-home or virtual) to assess goals and create a customized plan. Clients then choose from follow-up weekly 60-minute sessions, group classes, or the 10-day Puppy Adventure Camp. Online classes and AKC title testing are also available. All programs include ongoing support via email and text, with materials provided after each session to reinforce learning at home.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Initial consultation is 90 minutes and includes customized planning, session notes, and follow-up resources. Follow-up lessons are 60 minutes and include written notes, video/written resources, and unlimited email/text support. Package options are available for ongoing training, with pricing details listed on the Packages page.
Testimonials
“Sarah Forde is an amazing trainer! We got our puppy, Rosie, at seven weeks old and we knew nothing about having a puppy. She helped us navigate having a puppy and what kind of behaviors to expect. She is so awesome!!!”
– Molly K.
“Sarah is a knowledgeable, patient, creative, and fun positive dog trainer and my pup loves her!!! I have been working with her for support with my very high end energy (and vocal) 2 year old German Shorthair Pointer since Mika was 4 months old. We have taken private lessons to work on a variety of issues including loose leash walking, recall and general manners. I highly recommend Sarah to anyone interested in having a great relationship with their dog!”
– Laura F.
“I am so grateful for Sarah! She came to my home to evaluate my reactive 4 year old male Papillon, who was making me miserable with his need to bark at every dog he saw. She showed me how to turn walks into challenges that eventually became surmountable, sometimes using her own dogs as triggers. After 3 months I can now take my dog on a walk and when he sees another dog he looks directly at me to wait for his reward for not barking. Sarah has the patience and experience to figure out what makes a dog tick, and the tools to overcome problems.”
About the Trainer
Dog Defined LLC is a professional dog training business led by Sarah, who specializes in science-backed, positive reinforcement methods aligned with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. She helps dog owners solve behavior problems and achieve obedience goals through customized training plans tailored to each dog’s unique needs. Services include private in-home and virtual lessons, puppy foundations, adult obedience, behavior modification for issues like reactivity, barking, and resource guarding, as well as group classes and online training. Sarah also offers AKC title testing and a Puppy Adventure Camp for structured early development. Her training emphasizes clear communication, consistency, and building strong human-dog relationships through fun, rewarding methods. She uses her own competition-trained dogs as demonstration models and provides ongoing email and text support between sessions.
Sarah has been training dogs professionally since 2016 and launched her business in 2019. She stays current through ongoing education, attending workshops like Clicker Expo, and competes nationally with her border collies in agility, barn hunt, rally, and other sports. Her approach is rooted in behavior science and humane practices, avoiding punishment-based techniques. She serves clients in Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, Washington, and offers virtual sessions for those outside the area.
Additional offerings include a blog with practical training tips, a store for training supplies, and resources to support dog owners at every stage of their journey.
Accomplishments
Sarah has competed nationally with her border collies in agility (AKC, USDAA, UKI), barn hunt, rally, dock diving, and disc. Quest earned gold at the 2021 Barn Hunt NW Regionals and placed at Cynosports USDAA World Games. Arrow and Squid are active competitors and demo dogs. Sarah regularly attends industry conferences including Clicker Expo to maintain current training standards.
How to Get Started!
Begin with a 90-minute Initial Consult, available in-home or via Zoom, to discuss goals, assess behavior issues, and create a customized training plan. After the consult, clients receive session notes and resources, then choose a follow-up package to continue training.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Associations
- AKC
- APDT
- IAABC
- PPG
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- LGBTQ-owned
- Women-owned
- wheelchair accessible parking
- LGBTQ-friendly
- transgender safespace
Other Services Offered
- Pet supply store
- Pet trainer
Location
4212 Galena St SE, Lacey, WA 98503Listing Tools for Trainers
For Dog Defined LLC (dog training) Only
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