Washington, DC
Lily Araba Elliot
Lily Elliot's journey from corporate manager to Certified Professional Dog Trainer – KA began in 2006 when she adopted her dog Bella. Bella was a reactive puppy, and Lily was not prepared for the challenges she faced. She took private and group lessons and worked with Bella for 14.5 years.
Lily began her professional petcare career as a petsitter and dog walker in 2012, after more than a dozen years in the corporate world. She volunteered with, and then worked for, The Washington Humane Society (now the Humane Rescue Alliance). She began training dogs professionally in 2015 and has worked with a range of animals, teaching more than 300 hours of private and group hands-on dog training lessons. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Petsitters, and earned her CPDT-KA designation in 2018.
Training Philosophy
Lily believes in, and practices, humane and positive-focused dog training with puppy, adolescent, adult, and senior dogs of many kinds — from 5-pound Chihuahuas to 120-pound Rottweilers. She has a particular interest in helping reactive and anxious dogs to reach their full potential. She does this while helping their human companions develop the skills and mind-set that they can apply to provide the best care possible for their dogs and to nurture a mutually fulfilling and positive relationship with them.
Services
Happy Planet Petcare offers a variety of services, including:
- Private Dog Training:
- Basic Obedience-Training Package (Level I): Conducted indoors, includes 3 60-minute lessons, 3 15-minute video check-ins, and on-going support. Price: $560.00 (includes $80.00 intake consultation for new clients).
- Basic Obedience-Training Package (Level II): Conducted outdoors, includes 1 30-minute intake consultation, 3 60-minute lessons, 3 video check-ins, and on-going support. Price: $560.00 (includes $80.00 intake consultation for new clients).
- Behavior-Related Consultations: Includes 1 90-minute consultation and an individualized plan for managing behavior issues. Price: Not specified.
- Group Dog Training:
- Group Classes: Focuses on polite on-leash dog walking. Seasonal (April – October). Price: Not specified.
- Petcare:
- Individual Dog Walks: 30-minute standard walks, 45-minute extended walks, and 20-minute puppy walks. Price: Not specified.
- Cat and Small-Animal Care: 30-minute visits. Price: Not specified.
- Overnight Pet Sits: Duration determined on a client-by-client basis. Price: Not specified.
Certifications
Lily is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – KA (CPDT-KA) and a member of the National Association of Professional Petsitters (NAPPS).
Specializations
Lily specializes in helping reactive and anxious dogs to reach their full potential. She also has experience training puppies, adolescents, adults, and senior dogs.
Training Methods
Lily uses positive reinforcement training methods, which involve rewarding the dog for desired behaviors. She believes in humane and positive-focused training.
Customer Reviews
Katie and Nathan Wilson: "There's nothing like the peace of mind and confidence of knowing that your dog is in Lily's hands. Not only is she great, patient and disciplined with our sweet but challenging dog, she is reliable and a great communicator. I love seeing how happy our dog is whenever he greets Lily - she's definitely in the pack!"
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.
