Welcome: Sit, Stay, Speak!

If you're interested in learning more about DogSpeak behavior services, please take a moment to read more about our philosophy, happy client tales and training background.

Reach us at dogspeaksf@gmail.com or via phone at 650.274.6990 for further questions or to set up an initial consultation.

We look forward to helping your four-legged friend put her best paw out in the world.

Training Philosophy

Training with DogSpeak is centered upon rewards-focused techniques designed to strengthen the relationship with your dog. We understand each dog is different, and an individualized treatment plan is devised for your dog to address his/her particular needs.

While many of our techniques revolve around positive reinforcement, this does not mean permissive training. Instead, clients are given tools to not only teach and reinforce good behaviors but how to remove rewards to discourage inappropriate ones. You won't see any choke chains here, but other, more humane training aids are utilized to help you reach your dog's potential.

DogSpeak treatment plans zero in on improving the relationship with your dog, managing his/her environment to increase opportunities for success and working in individualized training sessions with clear techniques that are safe and easy to perform.

Training Tales with Happy Endings

Dog: Chyna (now Io)
Behavior Issue: On-leash dog-dog reactivity

Io had fabulous people skills and loved everyone she met. With dogs, she could also play well but would become overly aroused when seeing them on leash. She would bark, lunge in an ugly display because she couldn't control herself. With Io, we worked on good leash manners, connecting with her handler and teaching her appropriate behavior when she saw other dogs. We also punished inappropriate behavior with no rewards (in this case: not continuing to walk towards the dogs) when she showed signs of reactivity. She learned that looking at her handler meant rewards and praise - and if well-behaved, she was allowed to met the other dog coming towards her on leash - which for Io was the ultimate reward.


Dog: Emma
Behavior Issue: Fear with strangers, dog-dog reactivity

Emma was a Hurricane Katrina survivor that was adopted by a loving family that was incredibly patient and provided a comfortable low-key environment for her. Nonetheless, she was hesitant when meeting new people and would respond in a flight response when overwhelmed. With Emma, we worked on basic obedience, focusing on her owners on walks, developing an auto-watches and waits - and rewarding brave behavior with new people in the house, and letting Emma go at her own speed. Over time, she has learned to meet new people and make new friends.


Dog: Pink (now Bunny)
Behavior Issue: Special needs puppy

Bunny was a young puppy who like many puppies was energetic but was also deaf. She was very handler-focused and eager to learn. With Bunny, we worked on checking in with her handler on walks, loose leash walking and lots of obedience commands to develop her repertoire. A quick study, she had picked up sit, down and crawl in just a couple days - and was ready for more!


Dog: Finley
Behavior Issue: Off-leash recall, front door reactivity

Finley was a happy-go-lucky sort of dog around people, generally smothering them in kissed if allowed. Off-leash, she would become distracted - and through some unfortunate learning experiences early in life, she knew that coming when called off-leash was not enforceable. Additionally, she barked at the front door when dogs and people walked by. With Finley, we worked with other dogs that did have good recalls to improve her interest in returning and varied the times and areas we would leave the park. We also made coming when called highly rewarding! With the front door, we interrupted the behavior with an environmental noise and rewarded focus on her owner (which developed a mini-recall in the house). Today she's able to be safely off-leash at the dog park without worry!


Dog: Audrey (now Samantha)
Behavior Issue: Arousal on leash when meeting people, on-leash dog-dog reactivity, arousal during dog-dog play

Samantha was a young adolescent dog that had a high level exercise needs. She loved meeting new people but was overly exuberant when doing so. This aroused behavior also extended when seeing dogs on leash and playing with them - and going over the top during play, borderlining on aggression. With Samantha, we worked on loose leash walking, polite manners when meeting new people, focus on the handler during walks and teaching her how to turn off her own arousal during play. Her dog-dog skills improved immensely by using time-outs, and she developed her own "switch" to turn off the fun and dial down the excitement. Exercise and good leadership were keys to Samantha's success.

About DogSpeak

Lisa Gunter is a graduate of the Canine Behavior Academy at Marin Humane Society in Novato, CA and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) through the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers.

Lisa began her career in behavior and training in the winter of 2002. She joined as a behavior volunteer at the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA where she trained shelter dogs and monitored playgroups. In the summer of 2005, she was brought onto PHS/SPCA's staff as the animal behavior assistant. In this role, she performed behavior evaluations to determine adoptability, developed behavior treatment plans, worked one-on-one in behavior modification sessions with dogs and cats, conducted obedience classes, organized and supervised playgroups as well as counseled adopters and members of the public regarding pet behavior problems. During her time at PHS/SPCA, Lisa successfully implemented a therapeutic sound system to deliver calming, relaxing music to the shelter's adoptable dogs.

In the September 2006, she enrolled in the Canine Behavior Academy and completed coursework later that year and took further training modules the following summer.

In November 2006, she was hired at the Dog Attendant Supervisor at Pets Unlimited, a limited admission animal shelter and veterinary center in San Francisco, CA. There, she managed the staff and their care of the shelter's dogs including exercise, socialization, enrichment, behavior modification and obedience training. Lisa also performed all initial behavior assessments and developed a unique personality profiling system to better assist adopters in finding the right match. While at Pets Unlimited, she implemented a kennel room remodel to improve the shelter living conditions of dogs available for adoption.

In October 2007, Lisa passed the 4-hour, 250 question certification exam through the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers.

In 2008, Lisa moved to Denver to manage the behavior department of the Dumb Friends League. There, she managed the staff and behavior programs dedicated to providing manners to rowdy dogs, working one-on-one in training sessions to help behaviorally challenged dogs and cats, conducting daily playgroups for energy release and socialization, offering obedience classes and workshops as well as counseling adopters and members of the public regarding pet behavior problems.

In late 2008, Lisa was hired as the Behavior Specialist at Animal Humane New Mexico in Albuquerque. An open admission facility that works with over 5,000 animals annually, she and her staff are responsible for the behavioral health of the shelter's dogs and cats as well as developing programs that improve the animals' quality of life through enrichment and training activities.

Since settling into Albuquerque, Lisa has begun working with private clients again focusing on adopted dogs, on-leash reactivity, shy/fearful issues and adolescent manners. She is looking forward to working with individuals on a one-on-one basis and helping dogs reach their potential.

Lisa currently lives in Four Hills with her adopted shelter dog, Sweetie, a 1.5 year old Labradoodle.