Helping anxious, reactive & aggressive dogs feel safe and understood.
If you’re local near Ballston Spa, NY click Here
You’re not alone. Many loving dog owners struggle with behavior challenges.
If your dog’s behavior feels unpredictable or overwhelming, I hear you. Whether it’s lunging, barking, growling, or hiding in fear, it can feel confusing and frustrating. Maybe you’ve tried different training methods and nothing has worked—or worse, you’ve been made to feel like a bad owner.
The truth is: your dog isn’t bad. They just need help feeling safe. And I’m here to help you navigate this journey with understanding, not judgment.
A simple approach to a calmer, happier dog
Let’s Talk – We’ll start with a friendly conversation to understand your dog’s behavior and your goals.
Personalized Plan – You’ll get a realistic, customized plan that works for your dog’s needs.
Watch Your Dog Grow – With support and guidance, you’ll see real progress toward a more peaceful life together.
Imagine a future where your dog feels safe, confident, and happy.
With the right support, you can help your dog feel secure and understood. Picture peaceful walks, fewer outbursts, and a stronger bond built on trust.
When you’re ready, I’m here to help.
Still unsure about getting started? Take a look at our FAQs.
Challenges We Can Help With:
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Does your dog bark, growl, or lunge at other dogs, strangers, or things like bikes, strollers, or people in hats? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong.
Reactivity is one of the most common behavior concerns dog guardians face. Whether it’s barking at guests, lunging at other dogs on leash, or reacting at the fence line, these responses are often driven by fear, frustration, or uncertainty—not dominance or disobedience.
I work with dogs who struggle with:
Leash reactivity (barking, lunging, or pulling on walks)
Stranger danger (growling or barking at unfamiliar people)
Dog-directed reactivity (aggressive or overexcited behavior toward other dogs)
Fence fighting or reactivity behind barriers like windows or fences
Together, we’ll uncover what’s triggering your dog’s outbursts and build a customized plan to help them feel safer and more in control—so you can both enjoy calmer, less stressful outings and interactions.
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Is your dog constantly on edge, hiding, trembling, or panicking when left alone? Anxiety and fear can show up in so many ways—and it can be heartbreaking to witness.
I support dogs who struggle with:
Separation anxiety (howling, crying, or destructive behavior when left alone)
Noise phobias (shaking or running to hide during thunderstorms, fireworks, or sudden sounds)
Generalized anxiety (clinginess, skittishness, or being “on alert” all the time)
Fear-based behaviors (shying away from people, avoiding new environments, or bolting when startled)
Whether your dog trembles during car rides, hides from guests, or seems scared of everything, I’ll help you understand what’s driving their fear and how to gently build their confidence using proven, force-free techniques.
We’ll work together to reduce stress, create a sense of safety, and help your dog feel more comfortable in their world—one small success at a time.
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If your dog growls, snaps, or has bitten someone, it can feel scary, isolating, and overwhelming—but aggressive behavior is often a signal of underlying stress, fear, or unmet needs.
Aggression is communication, not a character flaw.
I work with dogs showing:
Aggression toward people (barking, growling, lunging, snapping, or biting)
Dog-directed aggression (attacking or posturing toward other dogs)
Resource guarding (growling or biting over toys, food, or spaces)
Aggression toward objects (biting leashes, barking at vacuums, etc.)
If your dog’s behavior has left you walking on eggshells or fearing what might happen next, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options.
Using humane, science-backed methods, I’ll help you address the root causes of your dog’s behavior and rebuild safety, trust, and calm—for both of you.
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Living with more than one dog can be joyful—but when there’s tension, it can turn stressful fast. Whether your dogs are growling over resources, getting into fights, or one dog is constantly on edge around the other, it’s important to intervene early and safely.
I help with:
Dog fights in the same household
Resource guarding between dogs (growling or snapping over food, toys, or people)
Injuries or aggressive incidents between dogs
Chronic tension or fear-based behavior toward a housemate
I’ll work with you to reduce conflict, build peaceful routines, and restore safety and calm in your home—while respecting the individual needs of each dog.
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Dogs are creatures of habit—so big life transitions can feel overwhelming. If your dog’s behavior suddenly changed after a move, a new baby, or a shift in household routine, you’re not imagining it. These changes can deeply impact your dog’s sense of safety and control.
I help families navigate:
Moving to a new home (anxiety, regression, or confusion in a new space)
Adding a baby or family member (adjusting to new sounds, smells, and routines)
Sudden behavior changes (increased fear, reactivity, or withdrawal)
Environmental changes (renovations, guests, caretakers, or loss of a companion)
Together, we’ll help your dog process what’s changed, rebuild routines, and restore calm and trust—even in the midst of chaos.
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Puppies and teenage dogs are full of energy, curiosity, and big feelings—which can make daily life feel a bit like chaos. Whether you're navigating constant nipping, over-the-top excitement, or potty training setbacks, this stage is challenging but totally normal.
I help with:
Jumping on people
Puppy nipping and mouthing
Chewing furniture, shoes, or walls
Potty training issues or regression
Over-arousal or overstimulation (zoomies, barking, wild behavior)
Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy or your adolescent dog seems to have forgotten everything they knew, I’ll help you understand what’s developmentally normal and what needs guidance—so you can set your dog (and yourself) up for long-term success.
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Dogs need more than food and walks—they need emotional support, meaningful connection, and outlets for their brain and body. Without these, many dogs become overstimulated, anxious, or “misbehave” out of boredom or unmet needs.
This is where enrichment, routine, and relationship-based training come in.
I’ll help you:
Create personalized enrichment routines based on your dog’s energy, breed, and personality
Teach calm behaviors through mentally satisfying activities
Build a deeper bond with connection-based games and rituals
Support your dog’s overall wellness—emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally
If your dog seems restless, hyper, disconnected, or hard to settle, we’ll explore simple, sustainable ways to meet their needs and bring more ease into both of your lives.
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Bringing home a rescue or rehomed dog is an incredible act of love—but it can come with big emotions, confusing behaviors, and a lot of unknowns.
Many adopted dogs need time to decompress, learn that they’re safe, and figure out how to navigate a new home and family.
I help with:
Helping your rescue dog adjust to new routines, environments, and expectations
Building trust with your adopted dog through clear communication and consent-based handling
Creating safety and routine to reduce anxiety and overwhelm
Introducing your rescue dog to resident dogs or family members in a safe, structured way
Supporting trauma recovery for dogs with unknown or difficult pasts
Gently exploring whether rehoming might be the right decision when a dog is truly struggling to settle or thrive
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to rescue dogs. I’ll meet you where you are—with empathy, honesty, and zero judgment—and help you figure out what your dog needs and what’s truly best for both of you.
Client Stories
About Me
Megan Shevlin, CDBC
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) specializing in:
Fear
Anxiety
Reactivity
Why I Do This:
I’ve been in your shoes—my own dog, Leo, struggled with reactivity
I understand how overwhelming it can feel
Experience:
I’ve helped hundreds of dogs feel safe and comfortable
I use force-free, fear-free, and positive reinforcement methods
My Approach:
Custom, realistic solutions tailored to your life
Helping you and your dog thrive together