CPR Canine Training is more than just a dog training service. It's a relationship-based, values-driven philosophy that emphasizes clarity, communication, and compassion. Founded on the core principles of being Calm in presence, Patient in progress, and Respectful in practice, CPR Canine was built to support both dogs and their handlers on a path toward mutual understanding and lasting behavioral transformation.

At the heart of CPR Canine is a belief that training should never be about dominance or control. Instead, it should be about cooperation, connection, and clear communication. Every dog is treated as an individual, with unique needs, learning styles, and emotional experiences. Our goal is to empower both dogs and humans to thrive together using methods that align with modern behavioral science and ethical training standards.

• Calm: We regulate arousal and focus before we teach. Calm dogs are more receptive to learning, and calm handlers set the tone for growth.
• Patient: We break down behaviors into teachable moments and allow time for progress. There are no shortcuts in effective training.
• Respectful: We respect the dog’s communication, boundaries, and emotional state. Training is a two-way relationship.

CPR Canine Training follows LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) guidelines and relies on evidence-based techniques including:

• Positive reinforcement
• Marker-based communication
• Shaping and capturing
• Desensitization and counterconditioning
• Management and behavior prevention

We do not use tools or techniques that rely on intimidation, fear, or punishment. Tools such as harnesses, long lines, or crates may be introduced, but only when they serve a purpose in enhancing clarity and communication, never as a means of control.

CPR Canine Training offers a range of services both in-person and virtually, including:

• Private training sessions
• Board & train programs
• Puppy development
• Service and therapy dog preparation
• Virtual consultations and ongoing support
• Mentorship programs for aspiring trainers

Each service is tailored to meet the needs of the individual dog-handler team, with emphasis placed on consistency, relationship-building, and lifelong learning.

One of the unique elements of CPR Canine is our integrated digital support system: the CPR Canine App. This app was created to provide support to handlers between sessions and to help them build consistency and clarity in their training routines.

The app is designed to serve as an interactive guide that meets handlers where they are. Whether someone is just beginning their training journey or has years of experience, the app helps translate the CPR philosophy into everyday action. It includes:

• Training Tracks: Step-by-step programs organized by age, skill level, or behavior focus (e.g., puppy foundations, service dog preparation, reactivity, public access). These tracks are designed to help handlers follow a clear and flexible training path.
• Daily Training Logs: Users can track what they worked on, how the session felt, what behaviors emerged, and where adjustments are needed. This helps build self-awareness in the handler and allows trainers to provide better guidance.
• Behavior Trackers: Designed to help users recognize patterns in their dog’s behavior over time. Whether they’re tracking stress signals, reactivity triggers, or duration of calm behaviors, the tracker helps convert observations into data.
• Training Journal & Reflection Prompts: A space for handlers to record not just what they did, but how they felt, what shifted, and how the relationship with their dog is evolving. This supports the emotional growth of the human as much as the behavioral progress of the dog.
• Emergency Toolkit: Includes a reactivity log, decompression plan, and emergency response guide so handlers can process difficult moments instead of reacting in frustration.
• Quests, Missions, and Gamification: For those who need extra motivation or like structured challenges, the app includes mini missions and progress badges to celebrate consistency, breakthroughs, and daily effort.
• Matilda, the Virtual Assistant: Available 24/7 inside the app to answer questions, explain concepts, and help troubleshoot in real-time.
• Booking and Support Access: Integrated scheduling for sessions and check-ins, ensuring users can seamlessly move from self-paced work to personalized support.

The CPR Canine App isn't just a tool—it’s a virtual extension of the training relationship. It’s designed to reduce overwhelm, provide structure, and help handlers stay regulated so their dogs can follow their lead.

CPR Canine is also home to a growing mentorship community for aspiring dog trainers and dedicated handlers. Our trainer development track focuses on not just skill-building, but personal growth, leadership, and emotional awareness. We believe trainers are not defined by how much they know, but by how they show up for the dogs and humans they serve.

Through mentorship, we support trainers in building their own voice, developing confidence, and staying grounded in ethical, evidence-based practices. We also offer tools and reflection prompts to help mentees navigate real-world challenges, imposter syndrome, and the emotional side of working with people and animals.

CPR Canine Training is about so much more than obedience. It’s about changing lives through trust, respect, and shared growth. We work with dogs and their people to create calm, patient, and respectful partnerships that can navigate the real world with confidence.

Whether you're training a new puppy, managing behavior challenges, or preparing for service dog work, CPR Canine meets you where you are and supports you every step of the way. Through in-person support, digital tools, and an ever-growing community, we’re building something that helps people not only train their dogs—but understand them. 

The Most Effective & Ethical Way to Train a Dog
The CPR Canine Approach: Calm. Patient. Respectful.

We believe training should never be about domination or control — it should be about clarity, connection, and cooperation.

1. Reinforce What You Want to See
We use positive reinforcement to reward the behaviors we want more of — with food, toys, praise, or access to what the dog values.
Why it works: Dogs learn best when they feel safe and successful.
Why it’s ethical: It builds trust and motivation instead of fear.

2. Tailor Training to the Individual Dog
Every dog has different needs, drives, sensitivities, and learning styles. We customize training to meet them where they are.
No one-size-fits-all. Every plan is flexible and adaptive.

3. Prioritize Relationship Over Control
Before obedience comes trust. We focus on building a healthy relationship where communication flows both ways.
Training becomes a conversation, not a command.

4. Teach First, Then Guide
We never correct a behavior that hasn’t been clearly taught. Dogs need time and repetition to understand what’s expected.
Mistakes are part of learning, not disobedience.

5. Use Tools Thoughtfully, Not Forcefully
We are tool-neutral but values-driven. Tools can enhance communication and lifestyle when used responsibly — not to control or intimidate.

• We introduce tools only after foundation behaviors are taught.
• We prioritize handler education, emotional safety, and timing.
   

6. Follow LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive)
We choose the kindest, most effective method available. Every step of our training process is filtered through what is least stressful and most empowering for the dog.

7. Read the Dog
We teach you how to recognize stress signals, body language, and your dog’s communication cues — so you can train with empathy and awareness.

8. Support the Human Side Too
Training is a relationship between two nervous systems. We support the human through guidance, reflection, and mindset shifts.
Calm humans create calm dogs.

The most effective and ethical training is…

• Calm in presence 
• Patient in progress
• Respectful in practice
   

That’s what CPR Canine is all about.

1. Positive Reinforcement Training (R+)
Core Idea: Reward behaviors you want to see more of.

• Uses treats, praise, play, or access to rewards to strengthen desirable behaviors.
• Builds confidence, motivation, and emotional safety.
• Supported by AVSAB, IAABC, CCPDT, and other major organizations.
  Why it works: Dogs repeat behaviors that result in good outcomes. Reinforcement is how all animals — including humans — learn best.
   

2. Marker-Based Training (Clicker/Verbal Markers)
Core Idea: Use a clear signal (like a click or “yes!”) to mark the exact moment a dog performs the desired behavior, followed by a reward.

• Increases timing precision and clarity.
• Helps dogs learn faster and with less frustration.
  Why it works: The marker bridges the gap between behavior and reward, making learning cleaner and faster.
   

3. Shaping and Capturing
Core Idea: Build complex behaviors step by step by reinforcing tiny approximations or by capturing natural behavior as it happens.

• Great for advanced training and cooperative behaviors.
• Promotes independent thinking and problem-solving.
  Why it works: It gives dogs agency in the learning process and rewards their effort and creativity.
   

4. Desensitization & Counterconditioning (DS/CC)
Core Idea: Change emotional responses by pairing a trigger (like a scary noise or person) with something positive.

• Used for fear, anxiety, and reactivity.
• Gradual exposure + positive reinforcement changes the dog’s feelings, not just the behavior.
  Why it works: Emotions drive behavior. When you shift the emotional state, the behavior naturally follows.
   

5. Relationship-Based & Consent-Based Training
Core Idea: Respect the dog’s body language and emotions, and train through mutual trust, choice, and communication.

• Common in cooperative care, service dog work, and therapy dog prep.
• Encourages dogs to participate voluntarily.
  Why it works: Dogs learn best when they feel safe and understood. Consent builds deeper engagement and reliability.
   

6. Management & Environment Setup
Core Idea: Prevent unwanted behavior by modifying the environment (gates, crates, long lines, etc.)

• Sets the dog up for success while training is in progress.
• Reduces rehearsal of unwanted behavior.
  Why it works: Dogs can’t learn effectively if they’re constantly put in situations they’re not ready for.
   

7. Functional Reinforcement
Core Idea: Use real-life rewards that matter to the dog (access to play, greeting, sniffing, resting) to reinforce behavior.

• Especially useful for leash manners, reactivity, and impulse control.
  Why it works: When behavior gets the dog what they want, it becomes self-reinforcing.
   

• Aversive-based methods (shock, prong, punishment without learning)
• Dominance theory / pack leader models (debunked and outdated)
• Flooding (exposing dogs to high-stress stimuli too soon or too long)
   

At CPR Canine, we believe the most effective dog training is:

• Rooted in behavioral science
• Guided by empathy
• Tailored to the individual
   

We focus on building trust, cooperation, and communication using proven, humane methods — while remaining flexible and adaptable to real-world needs.

• Positive reinforcement as the foundation of behavior change
• LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) ethical standards
• Emotional safety and trust-based training as the heart of lasting transformation
   

Tools are just that — tools. Not good or bad by default. When used responsibly, they can enhance safety, clarity, and freedom.

We introduce tools when they:

• Support a specific lifestyle goal (public access, hiking, service work)
• Increase clarity in advanced training
• Are introduced after a behavior is taught and understood
• Are used by handlers who are educated, calm, and respectful
   

We do not use tools to:

• Intimidate or punish
• Force compliance
• Replace proper training
• Shut down emotions or communication
   

• Every dog is trained as an individual.
• Every tool is introduced with care, consent, and purpose.
• Every handler is educated on how to use tools ethically and effectively.
• Every plan centers on the well-being of both the dog and the human.
   

We don’t chase trends. We don’t follow extremes.
We follow what works—for the dog in front of us, and the life they’re meant to live.