Berkeley, CA
Holden Svirsky
Holden has spent the last twelve years dedicated to the science of animal behavior. He grew up with gun-dogs, later adopting and fostering terriers, shepherds and many mixed breed dogs. He now shares his life with his sled dog ZZ. He particularly loves working- and primitive-breeds. In his free time he is an amateur canicross runner, and a sailor (he spent seven years living aboard with dogs!)
Training Philosophy
Holden is a positive-reinforcement based trainer and utilizes only humane methods to create powerful and long-lasting behavior change, as recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. He never recommends measures that cause pain, discomfort, or fear.
Services
- Complex behavior cases
- Fear, anxiety & phobias
- Resource guarding
- Handling sensitivity, veterinary fear and cooperative care
- Dog-dog reactivity and aggression, multi-dog households
- Separation anxiety
- Shelter & rescue
- Shelter, rescue & adoption counseling for individuals
- Playgroups consulting for organizations
- Behavior evaluations
- Foster home support and training
- Shelter staff education
- Life skills training
- Rocket recall & off-leash training
- Service Dog evaluations and training
- Cat-dog relationships
- Puppy socialization
- Manners and basic obedience
Certifications
- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
Specializations
Holden specializes in fear and aggression cases, separation anxiety, and puppy training.
Training Methods
Holden uses positive reinforcement methods and never recommends measures that cause pain, discomfort, or fear.
Customer Reviews
Kea’s human: All this work we've done we're really seeing the results. I almost couldn't believe it would work, but it really is...giving her all this structure of how to work through scary/stressful things is just giving her (and the humans) a really great life together.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
