Orange County Puppy & Canine Cognitive Behavior Specialist
Service area: Serves all of Orange County, California
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Biting / Nipping
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Separation Anxiety
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
Training Formats Offered
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
- Intensive Program
Types of Dogs
- Working
- Herding
- Doodles
- Giant
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Other
Programs are built around latent learning, boundary-based structure, and cognitive development. Clients receive guidance through video lessons, Zoom sessions, and a monthly VIP membership. The approach avoids treats, e-collars, and obedience scripts, focusing instead on allowing dogs to learn naturally through experience, observation, and consequence. Programs are intensive in the beginning and evolve into ongoing coaching to foster long-term behavioral stability. The puppy program emphasizes early mental and emotional development before problems arise, while adult dog programs address deep-seated issues like biting, reactivity, and anxiety through cognitive restructuring.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing is not publicly listed; packages are offered after an initial consultation. No fixed rates or public pricing tiers are provided.
Policies
No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated on the website.
Testimonials
Tony’s program is pack full of knowledge, experience and a solid mind set. My family adopted a rescue and thankfully had no issues but not knowing his background and having a toddler, it was important to know what MIGHT we face…we learned a lot about our boy. His personality, his way of thinking and patterns that we can anticipate as he settles in to his new, permanent family. Tony’s program is unlike many…it’s not obedience training..it’s more connecting to your dog and helping them think for themselves, which in turned gave our dog the best behavior. Highly recommend his program and all the perks that come along with it. Do it BEFORE you’re frustrated with your dog and let them shine!
– Client
We had a great overall experience with Tony. Our dog, Zoey, responded positively to his unconventional methods. Tony’s techniques were distinctive, focusing on latent behaviors and helping us grasp Zoey’s perspective, needs, and personality. Although it required a significant amount of time and effort, we are ultimately pleased to have gained the tools to understand and manage Zoey’s behavior. Tony’s encouragement and support throughout the entire process were the highlights of working with him.
– Client
After bringing a high content wolfdog puppy into my home and experience an extremely challenging time, involving constant hard nipping, growling, food aggression bordering on being rabid, trying to chew and destroy everything in sight, and a complete inability to improve her behavior, I was at my wits end. My goal was my pup to be an indoor wolfdog that is non-destructive and that can live in harmony in my home, respecting boundaries. It’s very rare for this to happen with high-content wolfdogs and I had all but lost hope. Then I called tony. I did not have high hopes for success, but at this point had nothing left to lose (except my sanity).
Within a month, both the food aggression was gone and the nipping was significantly improved. Within the next couple of months, she was able to control her behavior in my home. Now, at 9 months, she is in my home at least 8hrs a day (longer, if she chooses as she has an outdoor play area). As I type this, she is lying peacefully in the gym sleeping. Not ONE thing has been destroyed… not one. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.
The method Tony uses is called Latent Learning and it’s VERY different to traditional dog training. I learned that toys were the worst offenders (they simply teach puppies to chew on man made things like furniture and shoes), treats are completely unnecessary when the dog begins to learn naturally – you start to see treats as “bribes” to try and get your dog to do something, rather than them naturally understanding what behavior is either acceptable or unacceptable to be in your space.
If I ever have any more dogs or wolfdogs, I would never, ever use traditional training. Latent learning is far more natural and helps to develop a symbiotic harmony between you and your pup. That helps foster a different kind of bond. Don’t get me wrong, it’s challenging and it will be a tough few months in the beginning, but it’s well worth it, because I now have what I originally set out to have: A high content wolfdog that lives indoors and respects my home. I highly recommend Tony and his approach.
– Client
About the Trainer
Orange County Puppy & Canine Cognitive Behavior Specialist, led by Tony Nila, offers a science-backed, cognition-focused approach to dog training that prioritizes emotional development and natural learning over obedience drills or food-based rewards. Tony helps dog owners raise calm, confident, and thoughtful companions by teaching dogs to think, self-regulate, and make independent decisions through latent learning, boundary-based structure, and developmental timing. His methods avoid e-collars, treats as bribes, and dominance techniques, instead fostering a symbiotic relationship where dogs learn from experience rather than correction. He specializes in puppy development, behavior modification for biting, leash frustration, anxiety, and reactivity, with a particular focus on high-content wolfdogs. His programs emphasize understanding canine cognition, reducing over-management, and allowing dogs to learn naturally through observation and consequence, similar to how wild canines develop. Tony’s approach is designed for owners seeking long-term behavioral stability without constant reinforcement or training maintenance.
He provides guidance through video content, Zoom sessions, and structured programs, helping clients understand their dog’s perspective and avoid unintentionally reinforcing unwanted behaviors. His philosophy centers on raising a dog, not training one—encouraging independence, emotional balance, and cognitive growth from puppyhood through adulthood.
Tony also offers a monthly VIP membership for ongoing coaching and has developed specialized content on crate training, biting prevention, and latent learning revolutions, all rooted in canine ethology and learning theory.
He does not offer grooming, boarding, walking, or daycare services.
His clientele includes owners of puppies, adolescents, adults, and high-content wolfdogs seeking a non-traditional, brain-aligned approach to behavior.
Tony Nila is not a certified trainer through mainstream organizations but is recognized by clients and breeders for his unique, experience-based methodology.
His content is delivered primarily through video, online sessions, and remote coaching.
He does not offer in-person home visits or facility-based training.
His services are entirely remote via video.
He does not train for competition, service, or therapy roles.
His focus is exclusively on behavior modification and cognitive development.
He does not sell equipment, supplies, or food.
He does not breed dogs, but his methods are recommended by breeders at Lupine Grove.
He does not accept insurance.
He offers a free initial consultation.
He serves all of Orange County, California.
Pricing is not publicly listed; packages are offered through consultation.
His programs are structured as ongoing coaching with intensive initial phases.
He has over 20 years of experience working with dogs, particularly in cognitive development and wolfdog behavior.
He communicates exclusively in English.
He provides no physical address, phone number, email, or social media links beyond his website.
His website is the sole point of contact and booking.
Accomplishments
Tony Nila has over 20 years of experience working with dogs, particularly high-content wolfdogs. His methods have been adopted by breeders at Lupine Grove, who offer his lessons to their clients. He has developed original content on latent learning and canine cognition, including a widely viewed video series on transforming dog behavior without traditional training. His approach has resulted in dramatic behavioral transformations in dogs previously deemed untrainable, including high-aggression wolfdogs that now live peacefully indoors.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients begin with a free consultation scheduled via the booking link on the website. After the consultation, clients may enroll in ongoing coaching sessions, the puppy program, or the monthly VIP membership for continued support.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- is owned by latinx
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
- LGBTQ-friendly
Location
Gitano, Irvine, CA 92618Listing Tools for Trainers
For Orange County Puppy & Canine Cognitive Behavior Specialist Only
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