Swetlana Xenia Falke
, known as Lana, has a lifelong passion for canines. As a teenager, she competed in conformation shows with her Rough Collie, Iris, across Germany. She has always been dedicated to helping homeless pets and started volunteering at the local animal shelter at the age of 10.
After moving to the U.S. in 2012, she volunteered at the San Diego Humane Society for five years, taking on various roles and responsibilities with shelter dogs. She apprenticed with Lindsey Lieberman, CBCC, Fear Free CPDT, the Behavior & Training Coordinator, gaining experience with diverse dog personalities, temperaments, and behavioral concerns. This experience shaped her approach to training and behavior modification, particularly in challenging cases.
Training Philosophy
Lana believes in building a relationship based on trust and cooperation with dogs. She utilizes scientifically proven, force-free methods that prioritize the animal’s physical and emotional safety and well-being. She is dedicated to making training a positive and productive experience for both the dog and the owner.
Services
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Private Dog Training & Behavior Modification:
Customized training sessions to address specific needs and goals, focusing on individual learning pace and environmental control.
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Private Manners Training:
Teaching basic behaviors like name recognition, sit, down, stay, come, leave it, and leash walking.
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Private Behavior Modification:
Addressing undesired responses to specific situations or stimuli, exploring underlying reasons and seeking to change them. Common behaviors addressed include fearful responses, anxiety, reactivity, resource guarding, and excessive barking.
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Private Training Walks:
Practice sessions outside to reinforce good manners and obedience skills around distractions. Focus on building confidence and addressing concerns like leash reactivity or anxiety.
Certifications
Lana holds the CPDT-KA certification (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed), is a Fear Free Certified Professional, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and a member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Specializations
Lana specializes in helping reactive and/or fear-aggressive dogs and their humans. She has experience working with highly sensitive dogs and understands the challenges faced by guardians of behaviorally-challenged dogs.
Training Methods
Lana utilizes force-free, positive reinforcement methods that prioritize the dog’s well-being and emotional safety.
Customer Reviews
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Kerrie B.:
“I had the BEST experience with Lana Falke helping me with my boy, Bode. He is a large Rhodesian Ridgeback who needed guidance, confidence and working through issues with some male dog reactivity. Lana was incredible at taking him from a non-listener, challenging 100# teenage boy, to attentive, responsive, and calmer in public. She gave me tools and homework which helped develop our bond even further! Her patience and skills were incredible to watch as she guided us. Bode has come SO far and I couldn’t be more grateful to her for giving me and him lifelong tools and confidence.”
