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
How it all began
It started with my own dog, Opie.
Years ago, I was living in Raleigh with my 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.
Why Anxious Dogs? 💛
Anxious dogs hold a special place in my heart because I know exactly how heavy it feels to love a dog who's struggling.
The guilt of leaving. The hypervigilance before every walk. The feeling that you've tried everything & nothing sticks. I get it personally & professionally, and it's exactly why I chose to specialize here instead of being a generalist.
You deserve a trainer who gets it. Not just someone who has a protocol, but someone who understands what this experience actually feels like for you & your dog.
Credentials
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CSAP-BC — Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant
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CPDT-KA — Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
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FDM — Certified Family Dog Mediator
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6+ years experience working with anxious & reactive dogs and their humans.
I'm committed to a strictly force-free approach: no punishment, no pressure, no pushing your dog past their limits. Ever.