ABOUT

tuxpi.com.1605144072.png

Hi, I’m Lisa Benshoff

CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FDM, Licensed Un-Chase® instructor,Tellington TTouch Practitioner

Since starting my business in 2011, my mission has been to promote more harmony, trust, and happiness in dog-guardian relationships. I believe that dogs can be a pleasure to live with when we focus first on their well-being—physical, mental, and emotional.

The good news is that there are three straightforward steps to achieving this:

1

providing more mental enrichment plus appropriate outlets for typical dog or breed behaviors

2

preventing the practice of unwanted or undesirable behaviors

3

teaching new skills that become good habits, to prevent or replace those undesirable ones

45+ five-star client reviews on Google

My Story . . .

Way back in 2009, I lived with Bay, a sweet but odd English Bull Terrier. Though she didn’t have behavior problems per se (besides over-reacting to deer), I just didn’t feel a real connection with her, and that distressed me. She seemed to reside in her own little world, more bonded to Barley, our older Bull Terrier, than to me.   

Somehow in my Internet searches for answers, I came across the Tellington TTouch method. What I read really resonated with me: that physical, mental, and emotional states are inextricably linked.

This means we can work from the outside IN, to change the underlying causes of unwanted behavior.

TTouch bodywork is nonhabitual touch and movement exercises that promote balance and calmness, which in turn increase confidence, learning ability, and better behavior. And all these benefits strengthen our connection with our animals.

I quickly signed up for a 6-day class in Connecticut, the first in a series around the country. I learned how to use TTouch to benefit my own dogs and shelter dogs, first as a volunteer at Talbot Humane and later at Baywater Animal Rescue, where I was a board member.

And that two-year journey with TTouch led me to the wider and deeper study of positive training and behavior modification—which never ends!

In 2016, I got certified as a professional trainer (CPDT) and in 2022 qualified as a behavior consultant (CBCC).

Now I’m training Baywater shelter staff how to train dogs for quicker and more successful adoptions.

I never imagined back then that I could turn my passion into a successful business. I had only intended to make enough to pay for my travel to conferences and workshops.

Nor did I anticipate how very rewarding it would feel to help dogs and their people to live together with more ease and harmony.

We all (especially our dogs) experience less stress and more joy by replacing commands and control with calmness, cooperation, and self-control, and by simply giving safe choices and meeting more needs (enrichment).

It gives me great pleasure to share up-to-date understanding of dogs and behavior science, plus modern tools and techniques. This is how to get good behaviors and a great relationship—what positive training is all about!

People who call me in because they’re frustrated and confused, and sometimes worried, are amazed to discover how easy and rewarding it can be to shape a dog who’s happy, well-behaved dog and more connected with them.

You’re in safe hands . . .

Education

  • B.A. University of Virginia

  • Trained by renowned instructors Pat Miller and Gail Fisher, leaders in the positive training movement

  • Attended over 300 accredited conferences, workshops, webinars, and online courses to improve my skills, knowledge, and understanding. Keeping up-to-date is very important as this field continues to evolve.

    Be aware that modern training has little in common with “traditional” training.

Credentials

  • Certified Behavior Consultant Canine

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer

  • Licensed Un-Chase!® trainer

  • Certified Family Dog Mediator

  • Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner (dogs)

  • Member, Tellington TTouch Guild

  • Member, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

  • Member, The Pet Professional Guild

  • “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Lisa! She’s kind, patient, uses positive reinforcement and both of our pups love her!”

    SI

  • “We couldn’t have found a more perfect trainer than Lisa. We rescued Lexi, a 7 year-old pit mix, and quickly realized we were the ones who needed training. Lisa is thorough, dedicated, creative, and determined to help.”

    AS

  • “Lisa's calming presence has the most serene effect on animals and puts everyone at ease.”

    CK

  • "Lisa was great with our stubborn, unruly rescue dog! She was able to get her focused and brought out her desire to learn. She trained us as well!"

    Candy B

Am I the right trainer for you and your dog?

We are probably a good fit if you . . .

  • prioritize your dog’s well-being and your relationship

  • would love for your dog to be calmer and learn how to make good choices on their own

  • want to understand canine body language better

  • are keen to actively participate in your dog’s learning journey together

  • are eager to learn kind, fun ways to help your dog become well-behaved

We are probably not a good fit if you . . .

  • prioritize obedience, regardless of how your dog is feeling

  • will try anything you saw online that seems to work instantly, including aversives

  • don’t have the time or patience to help your dog learn the skills they need

  • insist on correcting unwanted behaviors instead of blocking them and teaching alternatives

  • don’t want to use food for training because dogs “should want to please you”