Prioritizing a strong foundation based in play, respect, and affection along with keeping these principles in mind results in dogs who are happy to be with you and able to stay more focused in your training sessions. We also feel there are much better ways to motivate your dog than simply handing them a food reward. Using more dynamic methods involving movement, play, praise, and engaging their prey drive makes every training session with you more fun, motivating, and rewarding. When done correctly, dogs learn to value the interaction with you above any reward, creating a relationship building experience in every training session and resulting in a dog who feels highly motivated to work with you.

No matter how you choose to train with us, whether it be in person or through our online community or courses, our goal is to teach you to use clear verbal commands, precise timing, and appropriate body language when working with your dog. This helps them to best understand the expectations of them during training and therefore results in more consistency from their behaviors. We realize that just like people, not every dog works at the same pace and will ensure we set you and your dog up to succeed in your training journey together.

Whether you are taking classes with us in person or online, our goal is to teach you to have the knowledge, confidence, and skills to effectively work with your dog. Dog training can feel overwhelming, but we aim to break the concepts down in ways that are easy to understand.

We also firmly feel that dog training is easier together. We strongly encourage everyone to join our free, online community where you can share all of your small victories and great achievements, as well as find comfort in knowing there are other people going through the same struggles as you in their dog training journeys. It’s also a great way to keep in touch with all of us here at Sirius Strides every step of the way!

developing a strong
foundational relationship

consistency in expectations
and applied techniques

understanding how to
communicate clearly

We believe dog training should be stress-free and fun

Whether you are taking classes with us in person or online, our goal is to teach you to have the knowledge, confidence, and skills to effectively work with your dog. Dog training can feel overwhelming, but we aim to break the concepts down in ways that are easy to understand.

Our principles of successful dog training include:

developing a strong
foundational relationship

understanding how to
communicate clearly

consistency in expectations
and applied techniques

We believe dog training should be stress-free and fun

Our principles of successful dog training include:

Prioritizing a strong foundation based in play, respect, and affection along with keeping these principles in mind results in dogs who are happy to be with you and able to stay more focused in your training sessions. We also feel there are much better ways to motivate your dog than simply handing them a food reward. Using more dynamic methods involving movement, play, praise, and engaging their prey drive makes every training session with you more fun, motivating, and rewarding. When done correctly, dogs learn to value the interaction with you above any reward, creating a relationship building experience in every training session and resulting in a dog who feels highly motivated to work with you.
No matter how you choose to train with us, whether it be in person or through our online community or courses, our goal is to teach you to use clear verbal commands, precise timing, and appropriate body language when working with your dog. This helps them to best understand the expectations of them during training and therefore results in more consistency from their behaviors. We realize that just like people, not every dog works at the same pace and will ensure we set you and your dog up to succeed in your training journey together.
We also firmly feel that dog training is easier together. We strongly encourage everyone to join our free, online community where you can share all of your small victories and great achievements, as well as find comfort in knowing there are other people going through the same struggles as you in their dog training journeys. It’s also a great way to keep in touch with all of us here at Sirius Strides every step of the way!

“My interest in dog training started 16 years ago when I adopted my dog, Pancho. Like most rescue dogs, he had significant behavioral issues that needed to be addressed. Our journey together sparked a passion that led me to become a certified dog trainer.

Over the years, my philosophy has evolved significantly. Initially, my focus was on teaching obedience behaviors. However, I've come to realize the importance of also teaching dogs to thrive in various environments and communities. High-level competitive obedience and sport dog training have heavily influenced my methods. These disciplines emphasize teaching dogs to think and solve problems rather than merely controlling them. The result? Happier dogs with better obedience.

One unique aspect of my training approach is building communities of dog owners who regularly work together. This collaborative effort benefits everyone involved and fosters a supportive environment. I am committed to keeping training affordable, allowing clients to achieve realistic goals within a manageable timeframe.

As a reward-based trainer, I believe in using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors. This approach not only builds trust between dogs and their owners but also leads to more lasting and effective results.

My current projects include creating high-quality online training programs that reach a broader audience and designing engaging events that provide significant value for dogs in training while also being enjoyable for our clients.

Looking ahead, I aim to make dog training accessible and affordable for everyone, fostering a strong sense of community support and collaboration. Together, we create happier, more obedient dogs and a stronger community.”

Kristian
Class Instructor

Larry
Class Instructor

Vivienne
Trainer

Sami
Trainer

Keith Vaquera-Little
Owner

Gina
Groomer

Tawny
Groomer

Amber
Trainer

Ahna
Trainer

Ally
Support Staff

Keith Vaquera-Little
Owner

Lois
Office Manager

Rhonda
Trainer

Sophie
Trainer

“My interest in dog training started 16 years ago when I adopted my dog, Pancho. Like most rescue dogs, he had significant behavioral issues that needed to be addressed. Our journey together sparked a passion that led me to become a certified dog trainer.
Over the years, my philosophy has evolved significantly. Initially, my focus was on teaching obedience behaviors. However, I've come to realize the importance of also teaching dogs to thrive in various environments and communities. High-level competitive obedience and sport dog training have heavily influenced my methods. These disciplines emphasize teaching dogs to think and solve problems rather than merely controlling them. The result? Happier dogs with better obedience.
One unique aspect of my training approach is building communities of dog owners who regularly work together. This collaborative effort benefits everyone involved and fosters a supportive environment. I am committed to keeping training affordable, allowing clients to achieve realistic goals within a manageable timeframe.
As a reward-based trainer, I believe in using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors. This approach not only builds trust between dogs and their owners but also leads to more lasting and effective results.
My current projects include creating high-quality online training programs that reach a broader audience and designing engaging events that provide significant value for dogs in training while also being enjoyable for our clients.
Looking ahead, I aim to make dog training accessible and affordable for everyone, fostering a strong sense of community support and collaboration. Together, we create happier, more obedient dogs and a stronger community.”

Kristian
Class Instructor

Larry
Class Instructor

Vivienne
Trainer

Rhonda
Trainer

Sami
Trainer

Amber
Trainer

Sophie
Trainer

Ahna
Trainer

Ally
Support Staff

Tawny
Groomer

Gina
Groomer

Lois
Office Manager