Portland, OR
Sara Alguire, KPA CTP, is a public school educator with 31 years of experience. She has worked as a special education teacher, school social worker, and summer camp director. She began incorporating her therapy dog, Duchess, into her work with children in 2005, which led her to discover the healing power of the human-animal bond. She has since used this tool in various therapeutic settings and served as a volunteer puppy raiser and task trainer for Canines for Change. Sara graduated with distinction from Karen Pryor Academy and is a Certified Training Partner.
Training Philosophy
Sara believes that work should be play and learning should be fun. She is committed to force-free training techniques that make a difference in the lives of pets and their owners. She uses American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommended techniques that focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, removing reinforcement for inappropriate behaviors, and addressing the emotional state and environmental conditions that drive undesirable behaviors.
Services
Sara offers a variety of services, including:
- Private lessons
- Behavioral consultations
- Group classes
- Personalized leash walking and manners training
- Virtual consultations
She also offers puppy preschool sessions for puppies of different ages.
Certifications
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
Specializations
- Puppy training
- Obedience training
- Behavior modification
- Reactivity training
- Service dog training
- Therapy dog training
- Leash walking and manners training
Training Methods
- Force-free training
- Positive reinforcement
- Clicker training
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommended techniques
Customer Reviews
Diane Bennett: Outstanding program and trainer. Three years ago I adopted a Rottweiler Australian Shepherd mix named Macy. She was three years old and not trained to a leash. She was a lot stronger than I expected her to be and she pulled me down during the winter months. She also was attacked by a smaller dog and it was difficult to break up the fight. It became impossible for me to walk her in my neighborhood due to the number of other dogs, cats, squirrels, etc, I had to find places to walk her away from all distractions. It seemed like fate when I sat next to Sara at the retirement dinner and she gave me her card. When I got back from visiting my family in Virginia, Macy and I started private lessons with Sara. I was amazed at how quickly Macy responded to the training and was able to attend Sara's Focused Fido Class with other dogs. I just came back from walking Macy in my neighborhood where we ran into 4 other dogs, including a poodle mix who barked at her the whole time we passed her yard. Macy stayed focused on me the whole time (other that needing to get in some good sniffs and pees) and no pulling or reacting to the other dogs. Within 6 weeks of training, this is why If I could give Sara even more stars I would.
Katie L.: Sara is an absolutely incredible dog trainer. She runs wonderful training groups and also offers convenient personal training sessions. Sara is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CPT), which essentially means that she is credentialed by the foremost academy of force-free positive reinforcement training. This accreditation is reserved for the best of the best in the dog training arena. If a trainer is effective in training a dog to service dog standard (and understanding ADA law and task training requirements) it is fair to say that they can handle any pet dog that comes their way. Sara is the trainer I chose after contacting upwards of 10 other local trainers, and I do not hesitate to recommend her to any service dog team or pet dog owner in a 50 mile radius of Haslett, Michigan.
Shari C.: Sara, was patient, broke things down for me, explained when I asked WHY? Also appreciated the homework assignments..wish we could work together every week!!
McCollums: I can't say enough great things about Sara!! She took my hysterical phone call on a Saturday, not knowing me, and stayed on the phone for almost an hour calming me down after my rescue dog bit my friend. :( I was worried that we wouldn't be able to keep him...she came to our house to help us help him and he is a completely different dog! Charlie has grown so much with her help and so have we. She gave us the tools to train him and know the warning signs when he is anxious. We LOVE her for helping us turn him around! Thanks for everything!!
Nicole Mahmood: Sarah did great with my boxer/bulldog mix. She is always hesitant towards strangers, but warmed up to Sarah and was always very excited when time for our sessions would come. We had private training sessions so she came right to my apartment and provided a clicker and treat bag, as well as weekly using her own treats for training. I enlisted Sarah's help in dealing with my dog's reactivity towards other dogs, and through our training sessions she is finally on the road to being calm when in the presence of other dogs. She was also considerate of my varying schedule as a college student, and made this aspect a lot easier on me as well. I would definitely recommend Sarah to anyone that is looking for help with reactivity issues.
Jason Smith: Sara is so kind with our dog! He was very nervous the first time she came out to our house but with her patience with him he eventually warmed up. With her encouragement we have been able to learn several skills that had been hard to master. Our dog can now greet people calmly at the door and walks like a gentleman on a leash! I would recommend Sara to anyone looking to have a well trained dog.
Jay Sarkar: Sara was fantastic to work with. My two year old English Springer was a little too energetic and jumpy but after 4 sessions with Sara we have turned her into quite the obedient dog. I had private training done so Sara came right to my home, worked for about an hour each week and provided me with necessary equipment. (clicker, treat pouch) I would recommend her to anyone that is looking for have their furry friend learn a few lessons in a warm and welcoming manner.
Rhonda Burke: Honest and reliable. Would definitely recommend Sara. Great with dogs!!! Her knowledge and expertise is beyond what I expected.
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.
