Sonja Bacuetes
is a New Orleans native who grew up in Algiers Point. She developed a love for dogs at a young age, having lived with eight dogs throughout her childhood. As an adult, she adopted two dogs, Sarabi and Kiara, from the LA-SPCA.After college, she worked with children providing behavioral services for eight years and earned her master’s degree and a certification in applied behavior analysis. During this time, she fostered dogs through Take Paws Rescue, volunteered with the LA-SPCA, and addressed behavioral challenges with her own dogs. This experience sparked her passion for understanding dog behavior and helping dogs in New Orleans. She decided to combine her education in applied behavior analysis with her love of dogs and began her career in dog training. She spent several years working under a mentor and expanding her knowledge before starting her own company,
Belle’s Bark’n Behaviors
, in May 2023.
Training Philosophy
Sonja Bacuetes believes in using evidence-based behavior change programs and force-free, positive reinforcement training methods. She does not use aversive tools like prong collars or e-collars and helps families transition away from them if necessary. Her goal is to help families understand their dog’s mental, physical, and instinctual needs and provide them with the skills and resources to train their dog independently. She is committed to ongoing education and believes every dog has unique needs, tailoring training programs to meet both the dog’s and the human’s needs.
Services
Sonja Bacuetes offers a variety of services, including:
-
Private Training:
One-on-one training sessions in the client’s home, customized to meet the specific needs of the dog and owner. This includes an initial evaluation to assess the dog’s behavior and develop a training plan.
-
Board & Train:
Intensive one-on-one training in Sonja’s home, including follow-up sessions to transfer skills to the owner. This program is on hold due to the arrival of a new baby in the family.
-
Dog Walks:
Mid-day walks for dogs while their owners are away, particularly beneficial for reactive or anxious dogs. These walks are designed to keep the dog under threshold and help them feel confident during outings.
Pricing:
-
Private Training:
- Initial Evaluation: $130.00 for one hour
- One-on-One Session: $75.00 for 45 minutes
- Reactivity Session (without dog): $40.00 for 20 minutes
- Reactivity Session (with dog): $50.00 for 20 minutes
- Drop-in Training (4 drop-ins + 1 one-on-one session): $250.00 over 2 weeks
- Drop-in Training (8 drop-ins + 1 one-on-one session): $425.00 over 2 weeks
- Packages: $190.00 for Initial Evaluation + One-on-One Session, $200.00 for 3 One-on-One Sessions, $110.00 for 3 Reactivity Sessions without a dog, $140.00 for 3 Reactivity Sessions with a dog
-
Board & Train:
- One Week: $850.00 (includes one follow-up session)
- Two Weeks: $1600.00 (includes two follow-up sessions)
- Three Weeks: $2200.00 (includes two follow-up sessions)
-
Dog Walks:
- 1-3x a week: $30.00 per walk
- 4-5x a week: $25.00 per walk
- Additional dog: $10.00 per walk
- Meet and Greet: $15.00 for 10-15 minutes
Certifications
Sonja Bacuetes holds the following certifications:
- Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis (MA, BCBA)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE)
- Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT(online))
- Fear Free Certified Professional (Trainer) (FFCP)
Specializations
Sonja Bacuetes specializes in force-free, positive reinforcement dog training, addressing a wide range of behaviors, including reactivity, anxiety, and general obedience. She also has experience working with dogs of all ages and breeds.
Training Methods
Sonja Bacuetes uses evidence-based behavior change programs and force-free, positive reinforcement training methods. She focuses on understanding the dog’s individual needs and creating customized training plans that are effective and enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.
