Hello! I'm Ellie, the proud owner and lead trainer at Canine Compass Dog Training. With a deep-rooted passion for training and years of experience in the field, I'm dedicated to helping owners and their pups build lasting bonds through positive, effective training methods.
Drawing on my extensive background in dog training and elephant training, which includes my Bachelor’s of Science and my certifications of being a Family Dog Mediator and Professional Dog Trainer, I have developed a training philosophy centered around positive reinforcement and compassionate techniques. At Canine Compass Dog Training, I believe in nurturing dogs' natural instincts, fulfilling their breed-specific needs, and guiding them towards desired behaviors through strategic rewards and behavioral treatment.
Specializing in obedience, reactivity, and resource guarding, I tailor each training program to meet the unique needs of every dog and owner duo. Whether it's obedience training, behavior modification, or puppy raising, I'm committed to providing personalized solutions that yield tangible results.
Success stories from my former clients speak volumes about the impact of the training methods and unique strategies you’ll receive, with countless happy clients and well-behaved canine companions to show for it. But beyond just training dogs, I'm deeply invested in building a supportive dog community. From collaborating with rescue organizations to helping clients years after their program ended, I'm dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of dogs and their owners.
For me, training isn't just a profession—it's a calling. My journey in this field is driven by a profound love for animals and a desire to see them thrive. I invite you to join me at Canine Compass Dog Training, where we'll embark on a journey towards a stronger, more fulfilling relationship with your best (four-legged) friend.
Ready to take the first step? Contact me today to schedule a phone consultation. Together, let's unleash your dog's full potential!
How I Work
In- Home Training
I strongly believe in helping dogs adapt to the environment they actually live in, to work through the problems they face on a daily basis. I find in-home training also helps prevent any delays in your dog’s progress since your dog won’t have to generalize and transfer what they’ve learned in a new unrelated environment, like a training facility, to your home. You’re able to skip that middle step and get down to business faster.
In-home training sessions also allows me to see the bigger picture - aka everything that could be influencing your dog’s behavior. Combining passive management hacks with careful insights to your dogs L.E.G.S., you’ll receive even more effective and individualized training, but without as much effort from you!
With Canine Compass Dog Training, you’ll enjoy the training process, all within the comfort of your own home! Serving the surrounding Charlotte area, Icome to you, saving you valuable time and effort. Interested in doing a board and train? I offer those too. Check out all of your options here.
Family Dog Mediation
What is a Family Dog Mediator?
A Family Dog Mediator (FDM) is an individual with special training and education above and beyond training or behavior consulting. It is a movement to raise the bar of public understanding about pet dogs through integrated science and innovative practical solutions.
What does Family Dog Mediation with Canine Compass Dog Training involve?
Mediation goes far beyond traditional training and behavior modification techniques. It adopts a more comprehensive and holistic approach that takes into account every family member and their unique influence on your dog’s life. By considering your dog's biological requirements that stem from their genetics, epigenetics, individual history, and underlying motivations, mediation aims to uncover the root causes of problem behaviors.
This approach is centered around understanding why your dog behaves the way it does, rather than simply implementing quick fixes. Through mediation, you'll gain valuable insights and answers to the questions you've been pondering about your furry companion.
Mediation by Canine Compass Dog Training is not just about training your dog; it's about creating a harmonious and balanced household dynamic. It addresses the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of every member, ensuring that both humans and dogs thrive together.
By working with Canine Compass Dog Training, you'll embark on a transformative journey that not only resolves problem behaviors but also strengthens the bond between your family members and your beloved canine companion.
A modern and
science-based approach
It’s essential to understand why your dog is doing what they’re doing, in order to effectively to fix it—that’s where I come in.
I have the unique combination of being a certified Family Dog Mediator and certified Professional Dog Trainer. My approach is centered around understanding and positively shaping the totality of your dog's world. I use unique methods that are based on applied ethology and science in order to leverage your dog’s natural biological systems and environmental influences to use as tools so you can optimize your dog’s fullest potential. My ultimate goal is to provide your dog with the best opportunity to reach the best version of themselves.
With over 10 years of high-level animal training experience and advanced certifications, you can rest assured your dog is getting premium, up-to-date, and effective training.
Focused, effective learning is prioritized by having 3 out of 4 of the weekly sessions being between me and your pet during training programs. Here's why:
Maximizing Learning Opportunities: Teaching new skills requires repetition and clarity. By conducting training sessions between your dog and I, I’ll ensure that your pet receives the maximum number of trials within our limited time together. This focused approach allows for clear communication and understanding between trainer and dog, facilitating quicker progress.
Minimizing Distractions: During the initial stages of learning, minimizing distractions is crucial for your dog's engagement and comprehension. While your presence is appreciated, it can sometimes divert your pet's attention from the training at hand. By conducting one-on-one sessions, we reduce the likelihood of distractions, enabling your dog to fully focus on the task at paw.
Strategic Introduction of Challenges: As your dog progresses through their training program, I’ll gradually introduce distractions to simulate real-life scenarios. This approach ensures that your pet initially trains in a controlled environment which is crucial for the first stages of learning, but then develops the ability to focus amidst everyday distractions. From the hustle and bustle of your neighborhood to the excitement of pet-friendly stores or parks, I prepare your dog to navigate diverse environments with confidence. By systematically increasing the level of challenge, your dog will be equipped with the skills needed to thrive in any situation.
Streamlining Transfer of Skills: When it's time for you to join the training sessions at the end of each week, your dog will have already established a solid foundation of skills. This means that when I transfer new techniques and knowledge to you, your pup will already understand what's expected of them. This streamlined approach accelerates your learning process and enhances your ability to practice effectively with your pet outside of sessions.
Rest assured, you're welcome to observe the training sessions at any time if you feel so inclined, to give yourself insight into your dog's progress. After each week’s joint lesson, you'll be encouraged to practice with your dog as much as possible, ensuring continued growth and development. Your involvement in their training journey is key, and I'll provide ample opportunities for you to be an active part of their success!
Positive and effective methods that last.
By being certified by the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) and FDM (Family Dog Mediator), I believe in demonstrating the mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices.
This means I will always use training methods that are ethical, current, and based on sound scientific principles. I never use shock or prong collars in my training because I believe in teaching your dog how to be successful, instead of suppressing unwanted behaviors by using these devices. Thus, you’re left with a happy and knowledgeable pet, eager to participate in what you want them to do.
Check out my Training Methods page for more information about methods and certifications!