Dog Behavior Consultation · Virtual Via Zoom · Northern Michigan & Beyond
Family Dog Mediation
Virtual dog behavior consultation · One hour · The whole picture · A clear path forward
Complete the K9 History Form · Discovery call within a week · $200 consultation · Includes recorded session and 15-minute follow-up
★★★★★
“We were having issues with our dog being aggressive towards strangers, even nipping at them. We learned ways to facilitate our dog’s behavior and modify our daily routines that has made a big difference in his behavior in just a month’s time.”
Cassandra & Sully
★★★★★
“The program unraveled everything I was doing wrong, not Billie. This girl has always loved me from the start. It was merely lost in translation until I joined Drop the Leash.”
Bobbie Ann & Billie
WHAT FAMILY DOG MEDIATION IS
Family Dog Mediation helps connect the pieces that often get looked at separately: your dog’s behavior, their genetics and history, the environment they live in, the routines they rely on, and the people they share life with. Behavior does not happen in isolation. It is information about how your dog is experiencing and responding to their world.
In this one-hour Zoom consultation, those pieces are brought together so the pattern becomes clearer. You get a tailored plan built around your specific dog and your specific family. You find out what is happening, why it makes sense, and what specifically needs to change.
The goal is understanding and direction, not adding more difficulty to your life.
Once the pattern is clear, the next step is easier to see. You are no longer guessing, reacting, or trying random advice.
You know what to do.
WHATEVER BROUGHT YOU HERE
Every behavior has a reason.
Families come to Family Dog Mediation when something with their dog is no longer working and they need someone to look at the whole picture.
→ Growling, snapping, or biting
→ Tension or conflict between dogs at home
→ Guarding food, space, toys or you.
→ Lunging or barking at people or dogs
→ Jumping, mouthing, ignoring you
→ Anxiety, fear, or a dog who shuts down
→ A sudden change in behavior
→ A dog who seems harder to live with than expected
→ A situation where you need clear, specific guidance
By the time most people reach out, they have already been told what is wrong with their dog, what is wrong with their handling, or what they should have done sooner.
That is not what happens here.
You walk away with answers and a plan that actually fits your life.
WHY THE BEHAVIOR IS HAPPENING
A clear explanation based on your dog’s needs, history, environment, routines, and the situation happening in your home.
WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FIRST
Specific adjustments to your setup, expectations, management, and daily rhythm so the plan fits real life.
HOW TO MOVE FORWARD SAFELY
A practical path for reducing pressure, preventing escalation, and creating the conditions your dog actually needs to be successful.
“We NEVER would have thought to do what Valerie taught us. More importantly, Valerie taught us how to communicate with MayBelle more effectively. In a short time, we had the results we so needed.”
MayBelle had been in shelter care for over a year before adoption. Her family was struggling to keep their cats safe after she injured one of them. Their Zoom consultation gave them a way to understand what was happening and communicate with her more effectively.
“We’ve spent many walks this summer, WITH some of the kitties, walking side by side with MayBelle... and she ignores them.”
★★★★★ Lynn Dean & MayBelle
WHAT'S INCLUDED • $200
Everything you need to move forward.
A THOROUGH CASE PREP
You complete a detailed history form about your dog, your household, your concerns, your routines, and what has been happening. I review it before the Discovery Call so I can begin identifying the patterns, priorities, and likely drivers behind the behavior.
A DISCOVERY CALL
After I review your form, we talk briefly about what is happening, what feels most important right now, and whether Family Dog Mediation is the right next step. This is where we make sure the consultation is appropriate for your situation before scheduling it.
A PREPARED ONE-HOUR FAMILY DOG MEDIATION CONSULTATION
By the time your Zoom consultation begins, I have already reviewed your dog’s history, behavior, environment, relationships, routines, and current concerns. The consultation is where I explain what is happening, why it makes sense, what matters most right now, and what needs to change first.
CLEAR GUIDANCE FOR YOUR FAMILY
You leave with direction that fits your dog and your life. That may include changes to routines, management, expectations, enrichment, safety, household setup, communication, or how you respond in the moments that are currently causing stress.
A 15-MINUTE FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATION
Included with every Family Dog Mediation consultation. Before the Zoom consultation ends, we schedule a follow-up so you have a place to check in after you have had time to apply what we discussed.
A few things people wonder about.
Is it worth $200
Most people have already spent time, money, and energy trying to solve the problem without a clear explanation of what is behind it. This consultation gives you a specific plan for your dog and your family. The 15-minute follow-up is included. You're not on your own when the consultation ends.
Can this really work over Zoom?
Yes. Your dog’s behavior is shaped by the environment, routines, relationships, and patterns in your real home. Zoom allows us to work with that context directly.
What if my situation is serious?
Serious situations are exactly where clarity matters. The K9 History Form gives enough detail to begin carefully, and the Discovery Call helps determine the right next step.
Is my situation serious enough?
If the behavior is affecting safety, stress, household peace, or your relationship with your dog, it is appropriate to reach out. No situation is trivial.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Here's exactly what happens when you reach out.
The K9 History Form is thorough by design. The more clearly you share what has been happening, the more specific and useful the Discovery Call and consultation can be.
There is no situation too difficult or too embarrassing to share. The form exists so I can understand your dog, your household, and what your situation actually requires.
No pressure. No commitment. Just a conversation.
Consultations are available Mondays and Wednesdays.
Availability is limited.
01
Schedule a free Discovery Call
Within a day to a week. Discovery Calls are available Mondays and Wednesdays. I use this call to clarify your situation and decide whether Family Dog Mediation is the right next step.
02
Complete the K9 History Form
Your dog, your household, your concerns, and what has been happening. This is what allows me to prepare your case before the consultation.
03
Your one-hour Zoom consultation
Prepared, recorded, and focused on what is actually happening, why it makes sense, and what needs to change first.
04
Your 15-minute follow-up
Scheduled before the consultation ends. Whenever you need it. Included.
FROM SOMEONE WHO'D ALREADY TRIED EVERYTHING
"She was the advocate I needed. She listened to my struggles and helped me create plans to overcome them. Val will not only teach you how to lovingly communicate with your dogs, but you will feel heard and seen."
We are able to treat each season of life as an exciting opportunity to continue our training thanks to the foundation Valeria has given us to launch from. Instead of seeing it as what my dogs can't do, I now see a moment to learn together, grow a deeper bond, and continue to enjoy life's many adventures.
Megan Shephard, Henry & Leroy · ★★★★★
You don't have to figure this out alone.