Kalispell, MT
Scaredy Dog
Scaredy Dog is run by Laura Butler, a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Behavior and Training. She has a passion for helping fearful dogs and has been working with them since her first experience with a fearful lab who was afraid of her own backyard. She also fostered a young lab who was terrified of everything and helped her to become more confident. These experiences led her to dedicate her life to rehabilitating scared dogs.
Training Philosophy
Scaredy Dog relies entirely on positive reinforcement and firmly believes punishment (as determined by the dog, not the owner) degrades the human-canine bond. Additionally, Laura believes that punishing a scared dog only increases his fear. That’s why she trains dogs in her care with lots of kindness, compassion, and good food.
Services
Scaredy Dog offers a variety of training services, including private sessions, day training, pet sitting, and a combination of pet sitting and training. Pet sitting is only available in the Moapa Valley. They also offer Zoom training services for those outside of their service area.
Training Session Fees
- Consultation Fee: $150 for 90 minutes
- Training Sessions: $85 per hour session, $250 for 3 sessions, $480 for 6 sessions, $900 for 12 sessions
Pet Sitting
- Overnight pet sitting: $200 per 24 hours + $15 for each additional pet
- Hourly pet sitting: $20 per hour + $5 for each additional pet
- Drop-in visits and walks: $25 per half hour visit/walk + $5 for each additional pet
Certifications
Laura Butler is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Behavior and Training (KPA-CTP) and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and Pet Sitters International (PSI).
Specializations
Scaredy Dog specializes in helping dogs with fear and aggression issues. They also offer training for a variety of other behaviors, such as leash reactivity, separation anxiety, and guest anxiety.
Training Methods
Scaredy Dog uses positive reinforcement methods, such as treats, praise, and play. They also use desensitization and counter-conditioning to help dogs overcome their fears.
Customer Reviews
Laura is a gem… I was visiting Las Vegas from Los Angeles, and needed a trustworthy nanny for my movie star dogs, while we attended a pet industry trade show. Laura reliable picked up my dog each day from the conference center, strapped on her crash tested safety harness, and transported her back to our hotel room. She stayed with 3 of my dogs, feeding, playing with, relaxing with and walking them while I worked 18 hour days. Thanks to Laura, I was able to focus on my work, at ease knowing my dogs were in good hands. She gave me photo updates, was easy to communicate with, and my dogs all loved her gentle and knowledgeable demeanor. The fact that she is a Karen Pryor dog training graduate is a rare bonus, because she uses all positive reinforcement methods handling dogs. My only complaint is that I can’t afford to move Laura to LA to work with my dogs full time! I am booking her in advance for my next business trip to Vegas. Thank you, Laura, for being so sweet and professional taking care of my dog kids!!!
Laura Nativo
Actress, professional Dog trainer and TV show host
We searched high and low for a sitter who is educated in dog training plus more as well as the ability to give love to our fur babies. We had used a sitter before and she was good however after about 2 months of using her we felt that our babies needed someone who was a little more loving just as we are towards our little guys. Enter Laura. She is truly a God send. Laura has dog training knowledge and is gentle/ loving with Bella and Bo. Bella loves everyone however Bo isn’t so outgoing. It takes him a while to trust. When Laura first met them Bo actually came up to her, a BIG surprise. The 2nd visit he was in her lap sharing kisses. Wow. So thankful we found Laura.
Traci
Fur Mama to Bella and Bo
This is the first time my husband and I went on vacation without our Corgis and have used a sitter. After reading Laura B. training and knowledge of dogs with anxiety etc. we decided to have her sit our two “fur babies”. Unfortunately by the time we were to leave on vacation our older Corgi, Lacee, passed away. We were concerned about leaving our other Corgi so close to losing her “sister”. We contacted Laura to let them know that our Lacee had crossed over “the Rainbow Bridge”. Laura sent us a text right away with her condolences and wanted to know how Prudee and our family was doing. Laura B. was so good with our Prudee, she went the extra mile and beyond to make sure Prudee didn’t get depressed over the loss of her sister and us being gone a few days. Laura sent pictures to us daily and took such good care of our “baby”. Laura B. is very professional and very knowledgeable; you can tell she really loves all dogs and takes care of them as if they were her own. Laura house sat for us too during this time. She took our trash out to the road for pick up and even washed our bedding!! We highly recommend Laura B. and will definitely use her again.
Shirley
Fur Mama to Prudee
Laura is incredible! Our rescue pup has bad anxiety issues and nerves, Laura really took the time to understand her and give advice on how to help. She goes above and beyond a simple ‘pee break’ by catering to our dog’s needs. I have such peace of mind when I need to leave for long hours at work knowing Laura will be by to care for our furball. Her communication and availability is also great!!
Dianna
Fur Mama to fur ball with anxiety and nerves
Laura is an amazing pet and house sitter and takes so much stress out of our travel! My husband and I travel often and Laura has taken care of our dog and 2 cats twice in the last month. Right from the meet and greet I could see how good she was with our anxious dog. He warmed up to Laura faster than I’ve seen before with a new person. I appreciate the frequent updates she sends about the animals and just knowing that someone so responsible is watching our house while we’re away takes so much worry out of traveling. We’re booking her for 3 more stays this year!
Jessica
The Busy Traveler
Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScaredyDogLV/
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.
