About Paws & Effect Dog Training

Who runs it

Olivia Hannon, who says she has "been a professional dog trainer for over 3 and a half years". The About page tells the story she builds her approach on: at ten years old she found a lost, blind dog in the street and guided him home with her voice alone, which she describes as showing her "the effects and strength of calm, confident leadership". She also writes about rescuing her own dog Winslow, who came with resource guarding, dog and people reactivity and biting, and about the year of work that followed.

Where the work happens

In your house, and the site is emphatic about it: "All In-Home Dog Training Services". The reasoning given is that problems belong to the environment they occur in – "We make it our mission to resolve these problems within your own home, so your family and your dog can work together and accomplish your goals in a stress-free environment."

How they train

The method is stated as "coupling hand signals, verbal communication and leash communication with reward-based reinforcement", with the owner cast as the "loving leader". The goal named throughout is the relationship rather than the command list.

What they work on

Three services are published. Puppy training, aimed at potty training problems and at nipping and jumping, and at owners who simply do not know where to start. Obedience, pitched at the dog you can take anywhere – leash manners through to an extended down in a restaurant. And behavior modification, where the site names leash reactivity specifically: "running away, barking, lunging growling or other behaviors upon seeing other dogs, people or other animals".

What to ask

The site has a Programs and Pricing page; ask for current prices. Training is in-home, so ask directly if you want group classes or board-and-train. Ask about certifications.

One thing worth knowing

Olivia Hannon also appears as a trainer on the website of Dog Day Afternoon in Leesburg. The two businesses have their own pages here.