Our Approach

Teach your dog how to be.

Not what to do.

 

Have you ever felt frustrated by your dog’s behavior? Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I could enjoy walks with my dog”? Have you been embarrassed by how your dog acts when your guests come over? You’re not alone. 

Many of the problem behaviors that dogs exhibit stem from overexcitement and a misunderstanding between human and dog. For that reason, we focus on creating calm in a dog’s mind. For that reason, our techniques are also calm. We use gentle guidance with the leash as well as quiet communication with body language to help get our dogs thinking and making the correct choices on their own. 

If you commit to the program, you will no longer have to manage your dog’s every movement because you will have taught your dog the expectations of how to be.

Whether you are dealing with behavioral challenges, or are training a puppy who still has a lifetime of growth ahead of them it can be intimidating to finish your training program and feel like you are all alone. 

That is why we offer follow-up support!

We are here to answer your questions via talk, text or email whenever they come up. You will also be invited to our Pack Walks, free group classes that take place several times a month to practice the skills you learned in your program.

When you work with The Zen Dog Den, we are your teammates for however long you need us.

 

Ready to get started? Contact us for details.

Q&A

How do I build the right relationship with my dog?

Dogs are pack animals who are hardwired to look for leadership. This will involve some structure in the home to get your dog to understand that the humans of the home are their leaders. This is not because we don’t love and adore our dogs, this is because we want to show them love and affection in a way that builds respect, not confusion.

What if I want to use treats and verbal commands?

Check out some of our In-home training programs which include verbal commands like “Come” and “Leave-it.” While we offer verbal commands in a few of our programs, we are not obedience style trainers. The reason we opt not to use many verbal commands and treats is because those things can create excitement in a dog’s brain and we prefer to teach calm. However, once you  lay the foundation for a calm dog, you are welcome to layer in verbal commands at your discretion!

Credentials

Voted #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster Newspaper’s 2023 & 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Active Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals

Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist (CPCN) on Staff

Reading Dogs’ Emotional State Certification- K9 Lifeline

Teach, Calm and Guide Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline & Transform My Dog

Safe Socialization Workshop Graduates- K9 Lifeline

Dog Bite Case Legal Consultant

Unleash The Possibilities:
Your dog's journey starts here!

Join The Zen Dog Den Community for support,
behavior modification training, and lasting connections.

Looking for the perfect match?
Our team is here to guide you.

Just got a puppy and need support? We got you!

Bad habits getting you down?
We can help!

Dealing with troubling behaviors? You aren’t alone.

What our clients say

“Hey! I just wanted to text you and say that I couldn’t thank you enough 🙂 tonight Pepper and I enjoyed a nice walk and regardless of squirrels or other dogs he just kept on walking! I honestly could cry at the amount of progress that he’s made with this program. It feels so nice to be able to come home with no pee or poop in the crate and not to get jumped all over. Today when I got home from work he just waited in the crate until I told him to come out and then he just sat right down in front of me I gave him a little kiss on the nose and pat on the head and then continued on with our day. I’m glad that his energetic self is back without the bad behavior that came with it. I seriously cannot thank you enough and I don’t know where we would be without him. A few months ago I was so frustrated with him and was almost regretting getting him because of the amount of stress but I knew that I didn’t want to give up on him. Now that you’ve come into our lives I can actually enjoy spending time with him without being frustrated I’m so glad that I can love him in a way he understands and that he knows that this is his forever home! I can’t wait to continue on with a life with him! Thank you again!

~ Julia & Aaron (with Pepper)

“I had to tell you this: I took Maggie on a trail walk today. Zero reactivity. Zero. Bikers, kids, walkers. Zero reactivity! One guy commented with emphasis “what a well behaved dog”. 

Wait. What. My dog? Lol. But I just took the compliment because she truly was! I have not had a moment of frustration or anxiety since our first session. I thank you so much for showing me how to have a healthy relationship with her.”

~ Heather (with Maggie)

The Pack

Tips, tricks, events,
and updates from our team!

#1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster

The Zen Dog Den has been honored with the title of #1 Dog Trainer in Lancaster, as recognized by Lancaster Newspaper Online's 2023 & 2024 Reader's Choice Awards. This recognition fills us with immense pride and gratitude. A Journey Fueled by Passion At the core of...

read more

pack walks

Join a community of supportive,
like-minded dog owners.

Connect

Phone: 1 (877) ZEN-DOGG 
Email: cherisse@thezendogden.com

Cherisse, Sarah, Amy & Makenna are all
Certified Dog Trainers and Behavior Experts
as well as Members of the
International Association of Canine Professionals