The heart behind the leash
Hi, I'm Maddi. I help anxious & reactive dogs (and their very tired humans) find calm, confidence, & a whole lot more freedom. No punishment. No shame. Just a plan that actually works for real life.
Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant
Advanced training in the science of separation anxiety, from assessment to full resolution.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
The industry's benchmark credential for humane, science based dog training.
Certified Family Dog Mediator
Trained to support the whole dog in front of me, including their L.E.G.S.
Hey, I'm your trainer
"I couldn't find a single trainer nearby who used positive methods. So I became one."
How it all began
It started with my own dog, Opie.
Years ago, I was living in Raleigh with Jax & my new puppy, Opie. He was sweet, energetic, & clearly struggling... and I had no idea how to help him. So I went looking for a trainer.
What I found were a lot of methods I wasn't comfortable with & not a single positive-based trainer in my area. It was frustrating & heartbreaking. So I did what any determined dog mom would do: I figured it out myself.
I dove deep into canine behavior, absorbed every resource I could find, and eventually went to school & became certified. What started as a desperate attempt to help my own dog became a full-blown calling, because I knew there were so many other families going through the exact same thing, with nowhere to turn.
That's why Paws & Frolic Academy exists.
My philosophy
Kindness first, always.
My approach is rooted in kindness and understanding, every single time. Dogs deserve respect and patience, just like people, and I'm here to support both ends of the leash.
Whether your dog struggles with separation anxiety, reactivity, or is just learning the ropes, my job is to make training feel doable, not like one more thing you're failing at.
"Your dog isn't broken, and you're not failing. When you support the nervous system first, everything else can change."
"I know how hard this is, because I've been through it myself."
Why I specialize in anxious dogs
Anxious dogs hold a special place in my heart.
I know how heavy it feels to manage a dog who struggles with being left alone, or who has big feelings out in the world, because I've lived both of those lives, too.
That's why I focus specifically on anxious & reactive dogs, building customized plans for families who want to work through it with care and confidence, not quick fixes.
A little more about me
When I'm not working with clients, you'll find me spending time with my own pets & my husband, Chris, staying up to date on the latest training research, or paddleboarding with my sister & nephew.
📚 Romance novels
📌 Way too much Pinterest
🧘 Wellness girlie
I'm committed to a strictly force-free approach: no punishment, no pressure, no pushing your dog past their limits. Ever.