Your Questions, Answered

I offer private training for families in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and surrounding areas (Leduc, Beaumont, St. Albert, Ardrossan) who want real-life, practical support. I specialize in helping reactive, fearful, and overwhelmed dogs feel safer and more confident. Services include one-on-one behaviour consultations, puppy foundations, and guided learning walks for dogs who need extra support building confidence or skills on leash.

All training is tailored to your dog’s individual needs and focuses on long-term behaviour change through positive, science-based methods.

Getting started is simple. To dive right in, schedule either an initial consultation or a training package here. After receiving your booking I will email you an intake form and training contract.

Through that link you can also schedule a free 15 minute discovery call so we can get to know each other better and ensure I am a good fit for your needs.

If email is your preferred method of contact, visit the Contact page and we can chat more that way.

I see behaviour through a wellbeing lens. When a dog is struggling, I ask “why?” before I ask “how do we stop this?”

I focus on emotional safety, physical comfort, making sure your dog’s needs are being met, reducing stress, and building skills that support lasting change. I’ll teach you how to recognize subtle body language cues so you can support your dog early and prevent bigger reactions later.

At the same time, I use thoughtful management strategies to create immediate improvements in daily life. You don’t have to wait months to feel relief.

You can reach me anytime via my contact page or email me directly at jessica@duchessdogtraining.com. I aim to respond within 24 hours. The fastest way to get ahold of me is texting (587) 906-7014. Feel free to call me at that same number.

I work primarily through customized training packages rather than single sessions. This allows us to create a thoughtful plan, provide follow-up support, and make real progress — not just surface-level change.

All prices are laid out on the Sessions and Packages page. Please reach out if you have any questions about package options and prices.

Working with me feels collaborative, supportive, and grounded in real life.

There’s no judgment here — not about your dog, and not about you. Many of the families I work with are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. My role is to help you understand what’s going on, create a clear plan, and move forward with confidence.

Our sessions are practical and conversational. During our first session we’ll start with a lengthy chat about the assessment I made based on your intake form. I’ll explain what I’m seeing in your dog’s body language, why certain behaviours are happening, and how we can support change in a way that feels fair and sustainable. We’ll do some work with your dog and you’ll leave with clear next steps and realistic expectations.

I also use thoughtful management strategies right away so daily life can start feeling easier, even as we work toward deeper, long-term progress.

Above all, I want you to feel supported — not judged — and empowered to advocate for your dog.

And please don’t worry about cleaning your house before I come. I’m there to support you and your dog, not judge your home. Real life is welcome here!

I will work with any breed or kind of dog. They have different motivations and breed specific desires but all learn the same. I will see mutts, doodles, small dogs like Pugs, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, etc. Retrievers like Labs & Goldens (my first dog was a Golden so they hold a special place in my heart). I have experience with Heelers, Border Collies, Shepherds, & other herding dogs.

I do specialize in the bullies though, like Pit Bulls, pitty mixes, American Bullies, American Staffordshire Terriers, & similar tenacious breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Jack Russel Terriers, Frenchies, & Boston Terriers. I am passionate about tearing down stereotypes & helping your bully be a good ambassador to the breed. I am knowledgeable & experienced in working with common bully issues like impulsivity, over excitement, prey drive, etc.

The short answer is “no!” It is never too late to change behaviour or make a dog feel safer and more comfortable in themselves or their environment. It can sometimes take longer for older dogs, as they have had a longer history of rehearsing certain behaviours and finding reinforcement in not such desirable places, but management can give us quick wins while we work on long-term change. I love working with older dogs!

The short answer is that Duchess was my first “my own” dog and she is the reason I got curious about behaviour and went down this path.

After months of trying to come up with a snazzy business name, I seriously woke up in the middle of the night and thought “Duchess.” I swear she put the idea in my head! We also called her “Duchess Dog” or “Dutchy Dog” so “Duchess Dog training” is a bit of a play on that too.
You can read all about her Here.