In-home private lessons so that you get undivided attention to tackle problems right at the source
A new-age approach for dedicated dog guardians who feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or like they've tried everything
Does this sound like your situation?
🤦🏻♀️ Walks are stressful because of constant pulling or lunging and barking at people or other dogs
🤦🏻♀️ It's a production to have guests over because of painful jumping or nipping, or your dog just won't leave people alone
🤦🏻♀️ Your dog has selective hearing or they only respond to you when they know you have a treat
🤦🏻♀️ Your life revolves around your dog because they have some serious and more challenging behaviors, like getting destructive when left alone, or getting mean around food or towards other dogs
This isn't your traditional obedience training, and here's why you might not want it:
🙅🏻 I might ask you to challenge your current thoughts and beliefs about your own dog, dogs in general, and dog training (most clients are fascinated by what they learn)
🙅🏻 Unwanted behaviors may not totally disappear overnight (though 90% of clients report improvements after just one lesson!)
🙅🏻 It's not a cheap investment (but, I've put my PhD skills to work to do hundreds of hours of research and practice to bring you the best value and make sure you're empowered to handle future situations with your dog, or even a future dog)
What you get from this training investment:
🐶 A dog that listens the first time - no more bribing or nagging them to listen!
🐶 A dog who understands and respects boundaries without needing to constantly be told off
🐶 A dog who feels safe and confident enough to respond calmly to high energy situations - like when guests come over or when out and about
🐶 A dog that fits into your life seamlessly and is a total joy to have around
🐶 Relief from the unwanted behaviors all while celebrating your dog for who they are
🐶 To be your dog's hero for helping them learn and expanding their world
If this resonates with you, you're in the right place!
❤️ Love your dog AND their behaviors, even if their current behaviors are wild and wildly different from any dog you've had before
❤️ They say you get the dog you need, not the dog you want...
❤️ I'm here to tell you that you can have both!
Still want to weigh your options? I get it!
I highly recommend either of these two wonderful women and experienced dog trainers:
Tomi at
tomi dog LLC
Georgette at
Pawsitive Training ABQ
*Note: I'm not an affiliate for either trainer and I don't get paid a commission if you choose to work with them.
A success story
When I first started working with Opie in the Totally Thriving program in February 2025, he would bark and pull on the leash any time he saw another person, car, or dog. He also didn't do well around golf carts, which was a concern for his human mom because they're planning to go on vacation in June - they'd hate to get kicked out of a nice RV park! Opie has made leaps and bounds after just three lessons out and about. He has become confident and curious in new environments, and will calmly watch people, cars, dogs, and golf carts going by. I'm told he recently only barked once while a Walmart employee loaded up the car! While he does still get spooked by people talking to him or people suddenly appearing, he calms down and goes about his business much faster than before. I'm so proud of Opie and his super dedicated mom!
You choose...
How much your dog learns
The more your dog learns, the more you'll be able to trust them, and the more freedom you'll have with them.
How and how often training is provided
The more often I get to work with you and your dog, the faster you'll see results. You can also choose to have trainer-only lessons to free up your time while getting better and faster results.
How much long-term support you want
You can get lifetime support for your pup to ensure training doesn't slip over time, and for peace of mind should anything new come up in the future. If your dog lives to be 15 years old, you'll have me on call that whole time!
"Soon after I brought Orion home, he terrorized my 3 cats, began showing signs of aggression, and literally destroyed my apartment. Despite 9 days of training and a boarding facility with a dog trainer, Orion's aggression only got worse. I felt like I had tried everything and was ready to give up.
Luckily, I continued training, this time with someone who could see Orion in the home and how he interacts with me. After just 2 virtual training sessions with Rhiannon, I have already been given several tools to distract Orion and refocus him when he is scared or aggressive. I also can work on establishing
boundaries through various exercises she has shown me and instructed me though with the dog. Even being a full time student with a full time job I still have been able to do training sessions weekly due to scheduling flexibility. I am so so grateful for all of Rhiannon's help and encouragement. I look forward to our future sessions and seeing how much better me and Orion's relationship will be! Next step is getting him over his fear of the car. I'm excited to see how far he comes and hopefully one day have him jump in on his own free will :) thank you Rhiannon for all your help!"
Anna Claire, SC
Programs
All programs are done through private lessons so that you're sure to get my full attention.
The biggest difference between programs is that the larger programs make sure you can trust your dog in more situations. You can choose how much your dog learns and how often we meet... The more your dog learns the more freedom you'll have with your dog, and the more I get to work with your dog the faster you'll get to where you want to be.
Larger programs also have more long-term support after the program ends to ensure your dog doesn't revert to unwanted behaviors.
All programs are based on the latest proven training methods and take your and your dog's individual needs and lifestyle into account to give you the most effective results.
All programs are results-based, meaning there's no hard time limit or number of lessons.
Managed Mayhem
This program is perfect for people and families who may not be able to commit to a full training program, but would benefit from additional management and enrichment techniques and tools.
This program is typically completed in about 3 weeks and includes:
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Up to 3 lessons in-home.
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Personalized recommendations for management techniques, tools, and systems to help you live more conveniently and safely with your dog.
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Exercises and activities to help support your dog’s overall wellbeing in support of their challenging behaviors or training.
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2 virtual support lessons after the program ends, to make sure the things we implement are working well for you.
Peaceful Pup
This program is for you if:
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You want to resolve your dog’s challenging behaviors, OR
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You want your dog to learn basic cues and skills
If your dog has some challenging behaviors that you just don’t know what to do about, making life full of uncertainty, worry, and stress, then this program is for you. OR if your life would be much less chaotic and frustrating if your dog just knew more basic cues and skills, then this program is also for you.
This program focuses EITHER on transforming your dog’s negative behaviors into positive ones, OR teaching your dog basic cues and skills to make life less stressful for everyone involved.
Behavior option: We will actively help your dog change the way they think, feel, and behave in challenging situations. While we won’t focus on teaching cues, we may include one or two in support of changing your pup’s behavior.
Cues and skills option: We will focus solely on teaching your dog useful cues and skills to make life a breeze with your dog. The cues include: sit, stay, come, lay down, place, drop it, leave it, this way, wait, and off. The skills covered include: loose leash walking, not rushing out of an open door, and not jumping on people.
Both options include everything in the “Managed Mayhem” program.
This program is typically completed in about 8 weeks and includes:
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Up to 6 in-person lessons in-home or on-walk.
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Unlimited virtual lessons during program.
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Everything in the “Managed Mayhem” program.
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Option for trainer-only lessons for better and faster results while freeing up your time (only applies to in-person lessons).
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3 months of in-person and virtual support after the program ends.
Totally Thriving
This is the most popular program!
If you're dreaming of a calm and enjoyable life with your dog anywhere, then this program is for you. This program is perfect for people and families who want their dog to handle any situation confidently and calmly, even high energy situations. This program also includes any additional training you can think of to make life even more stable, certain, and fun with your dog.
This program includes everything in both of the “Peaceful Pup” program options, but also includes any other training cues you would find useful. In this program we’ll also expand your dog’s world and help them navigate new environments and situations - not just where their current challenges are.
You'll also have the peace of mind that should anything come up in the future, I've got you covered - this program comes with lifetime support. That means that if your dog lives to be 15 years old, you'll have me on call that whole time.
This program is typically completed in about 12 weeks and includes:
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Everything in both of the “Peaceful Pup” program options.
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Up to 10 in-person lessons in-home, on-walk, or in public.
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Unlimited virtual lessons during program.
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Expanding training to new places and situations.
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Additional unlimited cues! Fun cues, convenient cues, automatic behaviors… whatever you can think of!
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Option for trainer-only lessons for better and faster results while freeing up your time (only applies to in-person lessons).
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Weekend scheduling (only available in this program!) to be even more flexible with your schedule.
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Any essential training items you may not already have, to save you time and effort while speeding up the training process.
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Lifetime in-person and virtual support after the program ends.
01
How it works
Tell me about your dog!
Submit the contact form at the bottom of this page to introduce yourself and your dog. You can't give too many details! I'll get back to you in the way you prefer (text, call, email) within a day or two so we can move on to the next step towards working together.
02
Schedule an assessment - $100
Before working together I will require a one-hour in-home assessment where we can chat more about your doggie problems and goals. This ensures you get the best value from me by making sure you're enrolled in the appropriate program for your goals and preferences. It also allows you to meet me and make sure I'd be the right fit for you before committing to a program. You'll receive a copy of the assessment report, which will include some recommendations and suggestions to help ease your situation while you decide on a training program or check out other trainers. The assessment fee will be applied as a credit towards any chosen program.
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Enroll in a program
I have several programs that cover a range of things from jumping and leash pulling to more advanced obedience cues to fear and reactivity to dogs with bite histories. Programs are results-based, meaning there isn't a hard limit on number of sessions or program duration. We'll cover all the details during our assessment, so you can choose the program that best fits your goals and preferences.
About Canis Fidelis
I cried every day for a whole month when I first brought home my rescue Rottweiler, Klaus. It broke my heart how he was so afraid to go potty in my presence that he would hold himself until he was leaking. He chewed through multiple leashes and harnesses. I couldn't leave him alone for more than a few minutes - he was a master at crate escape and even broke out of my apartment and one of my car windows (no injuries, thankfully!). And I can't forget his outbursts towards other dogs. We could be a football field away and he'd be at the end of the leash pulling me almost off my feet. Due to my ignorance he even managed to bite another dog in the face; luckily he didn't seriously injure the other dog and the other dog owner was unusually cool about the whole thing. But it really rattled me how bad that situation could have been.
All of that happened within one month of brining him home. I was at a breaking point. I felt I either needed to re-home him or do some serious research and work on training him. I decided he was stuck with me no matter what, so it was time to get to work. This is the origin story of Canis Fidelis.
My Story
My name is Rhiannon and I love helping people live happily and peacefully with their dogs.
When I decided to earn my PhD in Geophysics and become Dr. Rhiannon, I knew I loved research and solving problems. Geophysics was a natural progression from my Bachelor’s in Physics, and it was interesting enough. But as I continued developing my research and problem-solving skills and applying them to my own life, it became clear to me that I was significantly more passionate about solving other problems – particularly those involving my dogs. It has been deeply and profoundly rewarding to help my dogs overcome problems on the behavior side from severe separation anxiety and reactivity to problems on the wellness side, like constant skin yeast infections and allergies.
I understand firsthand how sad, frustrating, and expensive it can be to live with both troubled and ill dogs, and I would love for nothing more than to help you and your beloved pup overcome your challenges and live happy and healthy together.
Certifications, Conferences, & Completed Courses
Aggression in Dogs Conference 2024
Better Than Fetch Herding Games
Currently enrolled in the Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA)
Tell me a bit about your doggie problems and goals and I'll get in touch with you soon.
Feel free to call, text, or email if you'd rather!
(575) 322-8305