Achieve success with minimal frustration using well-researched training methods. Following the principals of famed animal trainer, Karen Pryor, we will help you develop a peaceful lifestyle, achieve the training you desire, and build a loving, trusting relationship with your dog.
We help those wanting to train both animals for companion/pet homes, as well as those wanting to train Service, Therapy, Facility, and Emotional Support Animals. Owner, Dianne Keck, KPA-CTP, has extensive experience working with Neurodivergent people. We train dogs for Autism and ADHD, Mobility Service Dogs, Psych Service Dogs, and Medical Alert Service Dogs.
We are a Neurodiversity affirming business and take a positive, validating approach with people, as well as dogs. Your private medical information will always be confidential and any photos of Service Dogs are shared with the express permission of the Owner/Handler.
We specialize in tutoring children and teens who wish to learn about Animal Behavior Science, whether just as part of their curriculum or because they want to pursue a job in the field one day.
Families with Neurodivergent children, or children with learning differences, are encouraged to reach out to see if this would be a good fit for your kid or teen. Our philosophy with both dogs and people is to meet them where they are at and create an environment of safety and trust in which they can learn.
We are official, Affiliate Guides for FluentPet Dog Communication Boards, helping others to use buttons to communicate with their pets. If you would like to order FluentPet Buttons, CLICK HERE. You can also use the code Scarlett for 12% off Orders of $50+. If you have questions about getting started with Buttons you can message us anytime. My dog, Scarlett, uses 70 FluentPet Buttons.
I am offering an online course for those at the beginning stages of introducing buttons to their pets (dogs or cats)! This Course is being co-taught with Alexis Devine, who has taught her dog, Bunny the TikTok and Instagram Star of @WhatAboutBunny to use 100 buttons!
This course will be taught on a rolling basis and features both recorded video content and LIVE coaching sessions for approximately 4 weeks. Sessions will be recorded if you can't make them all. If you missed registration for the current session, check back to register for future sessions!
We offer evaluation services for Breeders and Rescues wanting to have puppies or dogs evaluated for ideal placement into homes.
We use our own blend of evaluative methods depending on the client need and purpose of the dog.
We have taken the BAB Evaluation Training and can help Breeders wanting to follow that specific protocol, but it is not required. Please use the contact form to discuss your specific needs.
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Our methods encourage efficient learning, meaning that once the dog and their human learn how to learn together, results tend to flow more quickly. For transparency's sake, it's important to note that there are no guarantees in dog training as we are dealing with live animals who are unique individuals and they deserve to learn in a way that is safe and ethical. Some behaviors will come more quickly than others, but in general, once the system is learned, it can be used to produce efficient training for the life of the dog.
Many clients who come to NeuroDog Training with a specific behavior issue are able to resolve their issue in one or two sessions. Other behavioral concerns require longer-term solutions.
Using a clicker is not a requirement of working with us as there are many other ways of marking behavior. Clicker training is an optimal way of teaching behavior but you will not need to use the clicker forever. You also will not need to use treats forever once a behavior is learned. However, just like how you enjoy earning a paycheck for going to work, your dog enjoys getting paid for their efforts, too! There is nothing wrong with giving your dog treats. If your dog is on a specialized diet or has some other need around food, we can still help you positively train your dog.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) it is legal in the United States to Owner-Train a Service Dog, meaning that it does not need to come from an organization where it was trained professionally. Getting a dog from an organization can be a great way to ensure the dog is a fully-trained dog when it comes home, but it can also be incredibly expensive or have limitations some families cannot meet. We empower families with the skills, knowledge, and planning to train their own dog with continuous, professional guidance. With diligent work, Owner Training can have a great outcome because Families are prepared for training throughout the dog's life.
We utilize a variety of tools, including Public Access Tests, to ensure that training is going according to plan and that Teams are meeting benchmarks.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Service Dogs can be any breed of dog. Large or small.
That said, there are certain breeds of dogs which are known to ethical, professional dog trainers have higher chances of success in training for Service Dog work. Even though Service Dogs shouldn't be pet by strangers in public, that will happen and the dog needs to be able to comfortably tolerate that interaction until the Handler can intervene, without becoming a danger to the public. Service Dogs need to be confident around loud sounds and new environments. Service Dogs need to have a high degree of Handler focus and many other inherent traits that allow them to be success at the work.
For more information on Service Dogs, you can visit the FAQ section on the Department of Justice website or use the form below to contact us!
There is no requirement in the dog training industry for trainers to be educated or certified, meaning anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Families need to be very careful about whom they allow to interact with their beloved dogs. We believe that certification and ongoing continuing education is necessary to ensure dogs and people are receiving care and training that is up-to-date and rooted in science. We follow the training guidelines laid out by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
Dianne Keck, KPA-CTP, SDC, FFCP is the Owner of NeuroDog Training LLC and is a certified dog trainer through the esteemed Karen Pryor Academy for Dog Training. The Academy features one of the most well respected lineup of Faculty in the Animal Training industry.
In addition to regular consumption of books, articles, and academic papers, Dianne regularly participates in continuing education courses, such as:
- Service Dog Training
- Puppy Start Right Instructor Program
- Rattlesnake Avoidance Training (Positive Reinforcement / Shock Free)
- Abnormal Behavior
- The Role of Arousal in Aggression
- The Role of Genetics in Behavior
- Cooperative Care & Husbandry
- Fear Free Handling
and more!
Dianne also regularly attends various online and in-person conferences and trade shows to gain Continuing Education credits and stay current on research and best practices.
There are MANY books I would love to recommend depending on your needs! Here are two:
For families trying to decide what kind of dog to get, Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey. There is also an audiobook on Audible.
For a crash course in Animal Training, Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor is a go-to option. There is an audio book version on the ClickerTraining.com website.
If you are looking for a book that has a more specific focus, such as reactivity, scent work, more abstract understanding of behavior science, or something else, contact me below through this website and I can point you in the right direction.
For an inspirational read about buttons and dogs, the book I Am Bunny by Alexis Devine is a great read. It does briefly discuss mature themes at points and would be recommended for ages 14+ or with parental guidance.
There are also many podcasts out there with excellent information depending on your training issues or goals. Please contact me for suggestions.
Maybe. Your dog can be evaluated by NeuroDog Training LLC for aptitude and a training plan can be discussed. Service and Therapy Dogs need very specific temperaments. There are many temperament traits we look for, but one noteworthy trait is that they need to enjoy being in public and they need to genuinely enjoy strangers. Even though Service Dogs will not be greeting strangers frequently, they still need to feel positively about interactions where members of the public touch them without your consent, because the reality is that it happens often.
ABSOLUTELY! Please fill out the contact form and let us know what you would like to work on with your dog!
It depends. We do work with dogs that have fear issues, reactivity, and other concerns. We also have an extensive network of certified trainers, certified behavior consultants, veterinarians, board certified veterinary behaviorists, and other resources that we will connect you to if the behavior concern is not something we do. We want everyone to have access to qualified behavior supports and will do our best to connect you to those resources. In many cases, we can work with a client while collaborating with other professionals, as needed.
Please email NeuroDogTraining@gmail.com to schedule a Lesson, or fill out a contact form at the bottom part of this website so that your request does not get lost. We look forward to assisting you very soon and hearing about your dog and your training goals!
We believe in doing no harm: we will not harm your relationship.
We believe that every client is capable of training their dog, and its our job to help you become proficient.
We believe in setting up dogs + people for success.
We believe in disability rights and support for Service Dog Handlers.
We believe continuing education for professional dog trainers is necessary and that staying current on new research is a requisite of the work.
We believe every person and dog is a unique individual.
We believe in collaborating with other ethical professionals when doing so is best for dogs + people, including other trainers, veterinary behaviorists, veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, and more.
We believe in client confidentiality and prior consent.
We do not share photos of people under the age of 18 on the internet without the consent of the parent/guardian and the child/teen.
Private lessons take place in your home if you are local to the Phoenix metro area of Arizona. Depending on our training goals, we may meet at a public place such as a hardware store or a public park to work on skills in a public setting. Lessons will focus on teaching you how to work with your dog.
Private lessons will teach skills that are relevant to your goals. That can range anywhere from new puppy training, to addressing a specific in-home behavior, to working on more concerning behavioral issues, such as fear of strangers. Dianne will also make recommendations for additional skills that will help you and your dog be successful during the consultation. You will be given exercises to work on so that you know exactly what to do at the conclusion of the lesson and have a solid plan of action in place.
Virtual lessons do all of the same things that in-person private lessons accomplish. Lessons feature a significant amount of live coaching so that you are getting expert, in-the-moment advice on how to train your dog. The only difference is that, when necessary, instead of demonstrating with your dog, Dianne will demonstrate with a dog at her house. Virtual lessons have proven to be successful for many people wanting to work with their family pet, or to train facility, therapy, and service dogs.
Dianne currently trains numerous Service Dog Teams across the country via exclusively virtual training with great success!
In addition to family pets, Dianne works with families wanting to acquire and train working dogs. Dianne also works with those who already have a working dog, but want to refine aspects of their training.
Dianne works with families to procure an ideal puppy and to train the dog as it becomes a working dog.
In these sessions, the focus is on the collaborative learning between the student and the animal. We often work with dogs, but students may choose to work with cats, horses, pigs, or other animals. Students may borrow an animal for the lessons, as well. The purpose is for Students to gain hands-on experience to understand the science of behavior and how it would apply to a variety of careers working with animals. In addition, it can strengthen the bond between the child and the animal and have the benefit of teaching the animal new skills, as well!
Not sure if what we offer is right for your situation? Drop a line and see if what you need is something we handle! We would love to hear from you.
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