Welcome!

My name is Kayla, I am so glad that you’re here! I proudly represent, Karen Pryor Academy as a Certified Training Partner. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re looking for some help with your dog and hiring a qualified professional is important to you. Holding the KPA-CTP credential means I have been trained & qualified through one of the most rigorous internationally recognized schools for dog trainers. The KPA methodology is rooted in scientifically proven positive reinforcement based training and focuses on strengthening the connection between people & their dogs. Whether you’re looking for help with dog training or dog walking, I can assure you that you’re in the right place. Working with me will give you peace-of-mind, knowing that you & your pup are in the best hands!

My top priority is to help keep dogs in their homes & out of shelters by improving communication & strengthening the relationship between people and their dogs. Thousands of dogs each year loose their homes due to undesirable behaviors that their guardians struggle to manage. Let’s be honest, most people don’t get a dog to become a dog trainer. They get a dog to enjoy life with! The reality is that many people end up with a dog that has developed some behaviors they never expected. You are not alone, I’ve been through it myself! A dogs behavior is an expression of how they are feeling it does not define who they are. My goal is to help you have a better understanding of the feelings behind your dogs behavior & to teach both of you the skills needed to enjoyably experience life together. 

As a KPA Certified Trainer, my education is rooted in evidence-based, positive reinforcement training. I teach the most ethical & humane methods available in modern day dog training. This means when you work with me you will never use punishment or corrections and no aversive tools will be used (I.e. prong collars, e-collars, slips leads, etc). These methods can have major fallout & are likely to damage the relationship between you & your dog. Instead, we will teach your dog the necessary skills you desire & reinforce the behaviors we want to see using positive reinforcement. I can assure you, positive reinforcement is so much more then shoving treats in your dogs face. 

I’ve been in the Pet Care industry for over a decade. As a kid, I knew I wanted to work with dogs. I’ve been a veterinary assistant, a doggy daycare & boarding facility manager, a dog walker(on & off leash), and eventually became a certified professional dog trainer. In 2017 my partner Michael & I decided to start our own dog walking & boarding business, and so Kayla’s Pet Services was born. In our free time we enjoy various forms of art, exploring with our personal dogs, eating great food, & traveling. Another passion of mine is shelter volunteer work which is why keeping dogs in their homes is important to me! I have volunteered at multiple local rescues over the years including East Bay SPCA, Paw Fund, & Rocket Dog Rescue. 

Current Work:

• Kayla’s Pet Services & Real Life Dog Training: Owner & Head Trainer, 2017-Present
• East Bay SPCA: Behavior & Training Volunteer, 2023-Present 
• Hair Of The Dog Rescue: Board Member & Behavior Consultant, 2024-Present

Past Work: 

• Rocket Dog Rescue Volunteer: Medical Team Lead & Adoption Coordinator, 2020-2023
• Dirty Dog Hikes & Outtings: Off-leash Group Dog Walker, 2015-2018
• Paw Fund: Volunteer Vet Tech, 2018-2020
• Woof Doggy Daycare & Boarding: Lead Dog Handler & Facility Manager, 2013-2015
• Eden Pet Hospital: Kennel Technician & Veterinary Assistant, 2012-2014

Credentials & Certifications:

• Karen Pryor Professional Training Partner, Certification #: 43334
• Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer 
• Animal Behavior College Certified Veterinary Assistant
• ABC Dog CPR Certified

Courses, Classes, & Workshops: 

• Living & Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman, PHD
• It’s All Connected, Modern Loose Leash Walking with Kiki Yablon
• Flight Training by Pet Harmony
• Control Unleashed Workshop with Ali Sutch & Cori Abshear
• Tacking Reactivity with Steffi Trott, Spirit Dog Training 
• Play It Cool & Cool It Down, A 2 part Webinar on Healthy Dog Play by Ali Sutch, Up To Snuff
• Intro to Assessing Canine Posture & Movement, A Webinar by Sarah Keller, Sit-Stay-Squat
• Cool, Calm, & Collected at East Bay SPCA
• Introduction to Nosework, level 1-3 at East Bay SPCA
• Long Story Short, Long Line Workshop with Ali Sutch & Cori Abshear
• Walk This Way at Berkeley Humane Society 
• Canine Body Language by Maddis Fund