Meet the Team
Head Dog Trainer
Our Dog Walkers
Miya
Miya is a force-free dog walker and hiker. She is a current student at Oregon State University as an environmental science major and is passionate about all living things, especially our furry friends. She has gained much of her pet knowledge from working at Mud Bay which has provided excellent insight into holistic pet solutions and nutrition. She is also taking on an apprenticeship with Dogs Unleashed to further her dog training knowledge to better help you and your companions.
Miya rescued her dog Beni last year and recently went through all the steps of training and tending to a puppy, so she understands what is needed when caring for the younger ones. Beni has been a major influence on her journey of dog walking and training. Miya would love to help you with your pets in any way she can so feel free to reach out and say hi.
Brenda
Brenda is a FF dog walker and puppy trainer in training. She started her higher education in Animal Science, with a focus in Veterinary Science at Oregon State University. Shortly after her first year at OSU, she realized that her passion was in animal nutrition and behavior. From there she started working at Mud Bay to grow her knowledge in animal health and wellness. She has been working there for 3 years and has gained multitudes of knowledge on the best holistic pet nutrition on the market.
Brenda is currently on track to start puppy training in the summer and is in the midst of taking on dog walking, socials, and hikes.
She has two rescue dogs of her own, Bella and Jackson, that have been the ultimate influence on her journey into animal nutrition and behavior.
Things We Love
So many of our clients have asked what items we use during training and in our every day lives, so we figured we could put together a comprehensive list of all the Things We Love.
Treats
The trick with treats is the softer and smellier the better! Remember, if you can visually see it, it’s enough for a reward and reinforcer. Bigger is not always better, but rather frequency, timing, and location of treat delivery.
Red Barn - Beef Recipe
These are one of Carolyn’s favorite because they are chewy, smelly, and can be cut up into small pieces. She loves using these for every day training - just simply cut up the soft log and you have perfectly sized treats!
Ziwi - Mackerel & Lamb Recipe
These are Anna’s favorite - She loves to mix this high value dog food with some tasty treats and the dogs go nuts for it! Don’t be tricked by the label of “cat food”. It’s just simply the smaller bag of the dog food recipe.
Crav’n Bac’n Bites
Anna loves to mix these into the Ziwi dog food or as a higher value reward for bigger asks, like recall. They are a bit harder than the other treats, but dogs love them
Pet Botanics - Training Reward
Anna uses these due to being nice and soft and easily broken up into tiny pieces. Low calorie!
Power Bites
Grain Free, GF< and nice and soft and can easily be broken up into small pieces
Train - Me! Training Reward
Another low calorie option - They’re nice and soft and can be easily broken up into small pieces
Treat Bags
We love Woofcultr and it’s where a lot of Anna’s favorite shirts and fanny packs can be found! It’s the best treat fanny pack that Anna’s ever owned and can hold up to five bags of dog treats! Use our link or use code DOGUNL15 and receive 15% off your order. This is an Oregonian dog trainer-owned business and is made with high quality materials that are built to last.
Woofcultr Fanny Pack
This is Anna’s infamous fanny pack! Check out their website for more color options
Woofcultr Fanny Pack
There are loads more design options on their website along with T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, and more!
Enrichment
Enrichment is the secret sauce to creating a calm, fulfilled dog and is the most common missing piece in a dog’s life. The key to providing enrichment is giving an outlet for sniffing, chewing, licking, and mental stimulation. Stressed out dog or was your dog just triggered? Provide enrichment. Bored dog? Provide enrichment. Problem behaviors? Provide enrichment (and contact a trainer).
Heavy Duty Kong - For the Extreme Chewers
This is for your heavy duty chewers - If your dog is not a heavy chewer, Anna recommends the Toppls instead since they’re a bit wider
West Paw - The Toppl
The one, the only - The most recommended item Anna always sends you to get - The Toppl. These are nice and wide and are perfect for freezing. Search for all kinds of fun recipes and they will enjoy 30-45 minutes of licking, chewing, and sniffing.
Licky Mats
These are perfect for cool down time after a stressful day - You can freeze or just put peanut butter on them (or cottage cheese, or canned dog food, etc.). Do not leave your dog alone with these for long periods if your dog is a chewer.
Snuffle Mats
These are great for foraging, slow feeding, and making mealtime fun! It’s a great way for them to use their brains to work to find their food, lots of sniffing action, and an easy game for them to win to build confidence
Puzzles
This is one of Anna’s favorites that all of her (three) dogs have enjoyed. You can use for mealtime or you can use treats.
Treat Balls
These are great for your ball-obsessed dog and a great way to provide mental stimulation while they work for their meal
Bones and Long Chews
Perfect for decompression after training, a stressful event, etc.
Bully Sticks
This is the cheapest I’ve found and Anna has purchased these 20+ times (no exaggeration). They’re easily digestible (limit 1-2 a day) and perfect for decompression time. High value, feed separately if living in a multi-dog household.
Yak Cheese Chews
These have been a hit or miss - Carolyn’s dogs love them and Anna’s foster dogs love them, but one of her personal dogs could care less. If your dog loves cheese, they’ll likely love these
Pig Ears
Another high value, easily digestible chew
Nylabone
There’s some debate regarding Nylabone products and here’s the rub - Never leave your pup unattended with any bone and if you see wear and tear, it’s time to toss. These are perfect for long chews and can last for a month+. Lower value chew, but Anna’s dogs all enjoy them.
Harnesses and Leashes
Blue 9 Balance Harness
This is THE most recommended harness by all force-free dog trainers. Two points of contact (front and back clip) for total control if needed, and designed for your dog to have full range of motion for safety.
Ruffwear Harness
This is another great option - padded and two points of contact (front and back clip), and designed for your dog to have full range of motion for safety.
Long line - Biothane 33 ft
Why is Biothane important with extra long leashes? Because it’s super difficult to tangle and knot! This is a great one, rain or shine - Just ensure you know how to work with a long line to ensure safety (Rule #1 - Know where your line is!)
Nylon Long Line
This is a great affordable option - Keep it 30 ft max as this can quickly become a tangled mess. Again, ensure safety when working with a long line
Two point leash
Perfect for your reactive rover or heavy puller - pair with a duel point harness
Trailblazing Tails
This is not going to be the cheapest leash you’ll ever buy, but it will be the only leash you’ll ever need to buy. These leases are super lightweight, incredibly durable, and provide a “no-hands” option. The company is women-owned and a local Oregonian.
Management - Safety
Baskerville Muzzle
While it’s not technically bite-proof, it is the most recommended muzzle on the market, and the one I recommend to nearly all of my clients. Need help conditioning the muzzle or figuring out sizing? Check out Muzzle-Up Pup on Facebook, or send us an email.
Baby Gates
Baby gates can be essential for management when facing inner-dog household aggression, with a new baby, to prevent the rehearsal of jumping, and so many other wonderful management tools. We use the extra tall baby gates because we have a jumper. If you own your home, I recommend a baby gate that screws into the wall for utmost safety.
Calming Treats
The only over-the-counter calming treats that I’ve seen an actual difference in my dog. I highly recommend working alongside a qualified trainer and possibly a vet behaviorist before reaching for these, but they can be a great option while you wait for a vet behaviorist consultation.
Halti
This is a great management tool to use for your medium to large sized dog while working with a qualified trainer. This is not a training tool, but a management tool for your reactive rover. Feel free to email us to see if this tool is appropriate for your dog.
Thunder Cap
This is a great management tool with your reactive pup, especially if you live in an apartment and your pup has to face his/her triggers every day.
Thunder Shirt
This is a great option for your noise reactive pup - It works just like a weighted blanket, and can make your nervous pup feel safe.