Meet Your Trainer: What I Do and Why I Do It

I’m Rachel, the trainer behind Back to Dog. I work with people who love their dogs but feel stuck, frustrated, or unsure what to do next—whether that’s with a new puppy, a reactive adult, or a dog that’s just hard to live with sometimes.

I started Back to Dog because I kept seeing training either overcomplicated or oversimplified. Most dogs don’t need perfection—they need to be understood. And most people just need someone to help them make sense of what’s going on, without judgment or pressure.

I’ve been training professionally since 2019 and have spent the last few years leading the adoption and behavior team at my local animal shelter. I’ve worked with a wide range of dogs—easygoing family pets, dogs with serious behavior challenges, and everything in between. My focus is always on helping people build relationships with their dogs that actually work—for both sides.

I’m Not Here to “Fix” Your Dog

A lot of people come to me hoping I can fix a behavior that’s gotten out of hand—barking, lunging, jumping, biting. I get it. It’s hard to live with a dog when things aren’t going smoothly.

But I don’t see dogs as broken or bad. Behavior is communication. It’s information. And what I do is help you understand that information, respond to it differently, and build new patterns together.

That might mean changing how your dog sees the world. It might mean changing how you manage your home or your walks or your routines. But it’s never about quick fixes—it’s about building something that lasts.

What It’s Like to Work With Me

I live in upstate New York with a pack of my own and work out of my home, my yard, and the trails and quiet spaces nearby. Training with me is casual but focused. I won’t hand you a rigid protocol or pressure you into methods that don’t feel right. We’ll take a real look at your life, your dog, and your goals—and build a plan that makes sense for you both.

This Work Started With a Beagle

When I was a kid, my family adopted a Beagle named Ethel. She was smart, loud, and full of energy—and we had no idea what to do with her. We lived in the city, didn’t know anything about training, and couldn’t meet her needs. Eventually, my parents made the painful decision to rehome her.

I still carry that with me.

Ethel wasn’t a bad dog. She was just the wrong match for our lifestyle, and we weren’t equipped to help her thrive. That experience is what led me here. I’ve spent years learning how to help people and dogs succeed together—and Back to Dog was built on that foundation: real life, real dogs, and real support that helps both sides do better.

What I Value

At Back to Dog, I value:

Clarity – Behavior is communication. I’ll help you make sense of it.

Compassion – I’ve made mistakes too. You won’t be judged here.

Realism – I meet you where you’re at and help you build from there.

You don’t need to be perfect. Your dog doesn’t either. You just need someone to help you sort it out—and I’d be happy to do that with you.