Malena DeMartini is a Certified Trainer and Counselor (CTC) and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC). Since 2001, she has specialized exclusively in canine separation anxiety, having worked hundreds of cases and constantly innovating to find better ways to treat the condition and support guardians, other trainers, rescues, and shelters.

Training Philosophy
Malena DeMartini believes in a team approach to dog training, especially when it comes to separation anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of working with clients to help their dogs and stresses the need for patience and understanding.

Services
Malena DeMartini offers a variety of services for dog owners and trainers, including:

• Mission: POSSIBLE - An online, self-paced course for guardians looking for an accessible and comprehensive do-it-yourself training resource.
• Monthly Remote Training Protocol With CSAT - A comprehensive package that includes daily mission creation, cheerleading, support and feedback, weekly live online assessments, and a proprietary system of progress and data tracking.
• Ad Hoc Remote Training Support - A one-hour consultation for those looking for a one-time discussion about their dog and how to proceed on their own.
• Separation Anxiety Certification Program (SACP) - A 3-month program designed for experienced professional dog trainers and behavior consultants who want to specialize in separation anxiety training.

Certifications
Certified Trainer and Counselor (CTC), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)

Specializations
Canine Separation Anxiety

Training Methods
Malena DeMartini uses evidence-based, force-free, positive reinforcement techniques. She is a strong advocate for systematic desensitization as the gold standard for treating separation anxiety.

Customer Reviews

Jenny & Muppet: Malena, I have to say, one thing that really comes through in watching these videos is your earnest passion and compassion for the dogs and their guardians. Your joy and celebration over their big and small victories is written all over your face, and I love it. While your system is very operationalized and based on data, you clearly do not treat the process with cold, clinical detachment. That alone is inspiring. I look forward to celebrating more milestones with my pup, Muppet.

Andrea & Cedar: After a referral from a local dog trainer and viewing Malena's website I was anxious to to begin working on my dog's Separation Anxiety tendencies. I asked to be placed on the waitlist for the intensive month-long training with a CSAT and, for the interim, I began following the Mission Possible program. I was amazed at the wealth of knowledge it provided, so much information that vets and dog trainers don't seem to know. To be honest, I expected that when I purchased the MP program I would be left to sort my way through problems and questions that arose until a CSAT was available to begin the one on one training with me. Instead, Malena makes herself available to respond to every question as it comes up, through the website, and always within a day! When we both became stumped by a unique pattern in my dog's behavior, Malena offered me a Zoom conference where we could brainstorm together.

This woman and this program are the Real Deal. I feel I received much more than what I paid for the program. It was clear to me that Malana's top priority is to help owners and dogs who are suffering with this condition. The support I received was so much more than I ever expected. Face it: owning a dog with Separation Anxiety is a confusing and lonely experience. I learned quickly once I signed on with Mission Possible that I had a team behind me that would see me through to the outcome I needed. I was in good hands. Thank you, thank you, Malena!

Leonie McColl, DVM: As a practicing veterinarian, Malena's intensive, evidence-based CSAT program has empowered me to confidently approach cases of canine separation distress. Thanks to Malena, I am more confident in establishing my diagnosis and I also now have the tools to develop individualized desensitization protocols that work towards these dogs being more comfortable when left alone. I highly recommend Malena's program to fellow veterinarians, particularly those who wish to assist clients and their dogs with separation anxiety.

Cary Charlie Liles: I used to dread taking on separation anxiety cases as a trainer because the success rate was so low. Through Malena's certification program my confidence level has been significantly boosted along with my success rate. Now, I tackle each case with enthusiasm knowing that long-term success in treating this complex behavior challenge is realistic and attainable.

Media Appearances
Malena DeMartini has been featured in media outlets such as The Atlantic, NBC, and ABC, and as a guest on numerous podcasts, including The Doodle Pro Podcast, Worry Less, Wag More, The Animal Training Academy Podcast, Cog-Dog Radio, and Dogs Unknown. She has also presented on separation anxiety for global audiences at professional dog training workshops, conferences, and webinars.

Certifications:

• Job Title: Dog Trainer
• Training Philosophy: She helps owners discover the tools they have inside themselves to become the best dog owner they can be.
• Certified CCPDT-KSA for over a decade.
• Locations Served: Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties.

Malena DeMartini Inc. offers a specialized service addressing separation anxiety in dogs. Providing a supportive, individualized, and detailed program, Malena walks dog owners through the process of overcoming this debilitating disorder.

With nationwide availability for consultations, Malena's expertise has successfully resolved separation anxiety in a high percentage of dogs across the country. With 15 years of experience working with separation anxiety dogs and their guardians, Malena possesses a deep understanding of the intricate nuances that contribute to successful behavior modification protocols.

As the author of the book 'Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs' and the founder of the Separation Anxiety Certification Program, Malena is dedicated to helping afflicted dogs and their guardians achieve success.

Ruth Hagen is a biologist with 30 years’ experience as a positive, science-based pet trainer and behavior consultant. She opened her practice in 1997 in Sonoma County, California. In 2021, she expanded her practice to include work as a professional psychic medium and animal communicator.

Ruth Hagen's approach to pet training is science-based, fear free, and force free. She draws on her 25+ years of experience as a biologist, a former veterinary nurse, and a positive trainer/ behavior consultant to develop a family and pet-friendly plan to address your concerns and effectively solve problems. She believes that science and soul can and do beautifully coexist and incorporates intuition into her behavior work with animals and people.

Ruth Hagen offers virtual and in-home consultations, working with families, often with multiple pets. She works with cats and dogs — all ages, all issues. She specializes in adoption prep, behavior problem solving, and training. She also offers intuitive psychic medium readings for people and unique animal communication sessions.

Specializations:
Pet behavior specialist, positive trainer, animal communicator, intuitive psychic medium

Training Methods:
Science-based, fear free, force free

Customer Reviews:

• Worthy words
  We first learned about Ruth from our vet on day #2 with our three month Goldendoodle, Tank. I’m not sure if it was the look on our faces or if he just knew that Ruth would be a good fit. I emailed her to see what virtual training options were available and we began our time together the following day. We felt reaffirmed in our decision to get a puppy after just one session and we continued to learn so much over our three month journey together. Ruth’s expertise and knowledge transfer quite nicely in the virtual world, which is amazing as it makes her a resource that is now available for everyone.
  Ruth has a wonderful intuitive way with dogs and their owners. She’s very thoughtful and creative. She’s given us great tips on how to be with a very shy Boston Terrier we adopted last year. It’s helped us all. We enjoy her sense of knowledge and humor. We also have a 5-month-old Boston terrier who is full of it. Her tips and ideas work wonders. If you want support while raising your puppy or older dog, Ruth is the one. We are a better family because of her love and understanding the psychological make up of our furry friends (and us).
  We got two rescue kittens for companionship during the pandemic. When we asked our vet, Dr. Ross, about a behavioral concern, he referred us to Ruth Hagen, saying that she was masterful and that he refers all behavioral issues out to her. He was so right. Over Zoom, without ever meeting our kitties, Ruth was able to pinpoint the issues and offer effective solutions. After our first call, we were sold and signed on for a one-month package to help us and our kittens make this transition. Ruth has a wealth of knowledge and is highly intuitive; her recommendations were spot-on. We also found her to be personable, compassionate, and very generous with her time. We’d recommend her highly to all pet parents!
  You have done a great job creating a virtual experience over the last 9 months and we have benefitted from the 12 or so sessions. Trudi is a loving, well behaved pup but sometimes too loving and we will be scheduling sessions over the next few weeks. I encourage your other clients to start a program and benefit from the opportunity the next few months will provide.
  When we think of Ruth, we feel the warmth of her compassion and devotion to all living creatures. She is truly our troubled-dog whisperer!
  We hired Ruth when we got our first family dog. She was wonderful. I appreciated her knowledge along with her calm and loving personality. She truly cares and is passionate about animals.
  Ruth has been a godsend over the last 6 months. We’re first time dog parents and didn’t know the first thing about training, grooming, feeding or being with our dog! We were looking into doggie training bootcamps where we’d send her away for someone else to teach her, when we met Ruth…so grateful! She made training simple as well as fun AND positive. In addition, Ruth has provided us with the sweetest boarding and doggy day care experience. She’s incredibly sensitive and aware to all animals’ needs. On top of it all, our little pup comes back happy and better behaved! Our 3.5 year old daughter says “Ruth is really good at training — you have to meet her” Thank you Ruth!
  Ruth is not only good for your puppy, she is great for your whole household. Her natural energy, warm manner and puppy instinct is incredible. She is a great read of your home as it relates to puppy training and safety as well as intuitive with the family and surroundings. Her lessons are well thought out, complete, clear and not rushed. If you listen to her lessons, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a well trained pup in no time. I would highly recommend engaging Dr. Ruth even prior to getting your puppy so that she can prepare you properly.
  We were in a dire situation after the 2017 wildfires and needed help with our new Goldendoodle puppy, Bella. From Bella’s very first day with Ruth, we were put at ease. Ruth’s incredible insight, intuition, and warmth were a perfect fit for our precious pup. Ruth also has many creative ideas for training and problem solving. She helped us immensely with Bella’s picky eating, for example. Ruth puts a priority on always creating a safe environment, especially for the doggie “play dates” that she put together at her home, which were instrumental in socializing our puppy. Ruth is so caring and empathic, and she is obviously very passionate about her work with animals. We are so grateful to have Ruth in our lives.
  On Ruth’s first visit to my home I noticed her focus was on me, as well as on the behaviors of my dog, Bruno. One of Ruth’s great strengths in both her dog training career and her dog-sitting career is her ability to connect in a positive way with owners. I am grateful for the help Ruth has given me over the years; Bruno and I have come to love her very much.

Media Appearances:
Ruth Hagen has published a book called Intuitive Evolution, which shares her journey from skeptical pet expert to awakened psychic medium.