Teaching dogs and their humans how to live a balanced life together.
Hi, I’m Kirsten!
I’m a little bit dog-obsessed. But if you’re here, so are you! I am a balanced dog trainer and agility instructor located in Boulder, Colorado. Balanced training means using a combination of both reward-based techniques and corrections to provide clear, fair feedback and teach our dogs what we expect of them.
Likely you’re here because you want more for your dog (and you!). Maybe you want more off-leash adventures. Or you want to be able to walk down the street without your dog pulling your arm off. Whatever it is – I’ve been there, and I’m excited to help you live your best life with your dog.
If you’re looking to have…
- A well-behaved, confident dog you can take anywhere
- Stress-free walks
- Calm energy in your house
- Off-leash adventures
- A truly fulfilled dog
- Peace of mind
…then you’re in the right place!
Services
We’ll get started with a 1 hour consultation training session ($95), where we’ll determine if we’re a good fit. From there, we can chat about what package is right for you.
Private Training Packages
Puppy Headstart
Get started on the right foot
- How to successfully crate and potty train
- Learn good practices of socialization and exposure
- Establish a communication system to teach basic commands
On-Leash Manners
Establish a solid foundation
- Teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash
- Introduce and practice basic commands
- Use a marker system to establish clear communication and build engagement
Life Off-Leash
E-collar training for reliable recall
- Solidify on-leash communication
- Learn how to properly introduce the E-collar
- Generalize the E-collar for off-leash etiquette
- *Includes the Mini Educator E-Collar
Agility Classes
Agility
A team sport for you and your dog
- 6 week long sessions
- Foundational and Novice classes
- Indoor facility in Mead, CO
Serving the Boulder Metro Area
Testimonials
Kristen M.
“Working with Kirsten has completely changed our lives! Before, Kashi was a very fearful dog and had started being aggressive towards other dogs as well- which was my worst nightmare. After a solid 6 months of training with Kirsten, Kashi is a completely different dog. His recall is incredible, he is friendly towards other dogs when we encounter them on our walks/hikes, and most importantly, I know how to make him feel safe so he’s less reactive in “scary” situations. The e-collar and working with Kirsten closely to train Kashi on it was the best investment I’ve made for him. We wear it every time we go out outside of the house and I feel so confident in Kashi when he’s wearing that collar. Taking the time to properly train your dog is 100% worth it and I am so happy I did!”
Trevor H.
“Kirsten is the perfect balance between discipline and loving care. In just the short time we’ve been working with her, Kalo has totally transformed before our eyes. He is more engaged, comfortable, and seems to be having even MORE fun than he did before we started working with Kirsten. He loves working with her and we couldn’t agree more. Kirsten meets you where you are in your journey with your dog and offers so many options on how to move forward and expand the relationship. And she does it all with joy and enthusiasm. We recommend her to anyone and everyone who needs a trainer. We don’t know where we would be without her!”
Lauren S.
“Kirsten has been an amazing trainer and I would recommend her to anyone. She has helped to train my dog Makalu since she was a few months old, and now at 10 months I can confidently have her off leash and know that she will listen even with distractions of other dogs. She also, has helped get Makalu to enjoy her crate, and be comfortable when alone. Getting a dog during a pandemic, my dog ended up having severe separation anxiety and Kirsten was able to help not only reverse this, but Makalu is now calm when I leave. My relationship with my dog has improved greatly because of the trust we have built with each other, and that would not have been possible without Kirsten. Thank you for helping me train my crazy puppy into a dog that my family actually wants to dog sit!”
All-Star Dog Training & Agility 