“Elisha changed our lives and gave us the gift of learning how to build a meaningful, healthy relationship with our dog.

We did a foundations bootcamp with Elisha and loved it so much that we flew Marzi back out for a board & train at 8 months old. I’m honestly not convinced Elisha isn’t magic. We struggled so much with crate training, I genuinely thought I’d never be able to leave the dog at home alone. But within DAYS, Elisha sent us a video of Marzi happily going into and staying in her crate. After a few weeks, Elisha gave us back a happier, confident, and motivated dog with excellent life skills. Most importantly, Elisha taught us how to better understand our dog’s behavior and emotions, as well as how to structure our day-to-day routine. Spending focused quality time with Marzi is now the best part of my day. It’s been over a year since our board & train, and we could not be more thrilled with our sweet, spunky girl. Marzi earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate easily thanks to the work Elisha did with her, and we plan to pursue more titles!

Elisha has also been so generous and thorough in answering all of our follow-up questions. She is honest but kind—and above all, always focused on the wellbeing of your dog. She loves and understands these animals on a soul-deep level, and her passion shines through in every interaction with both handler and dog. I cannot recommend her highly enough! You’re in the best of hands.”

–Allison S., pet obedience

“Before training with Elisha, my dog Linus’s separation anxiety was so bad that I could not leave my house. Even running to the grocery store right down the street filled me with dread because I didn’t know what destruction or vet bills I would come home to. I could not board him or take him to vets or groomers who used crates without him freaking out and injuring himself. He could never be off leash. If I ever let him loose, he would have taken off and been gone forever.

Now, I can leave the house and have a life without worrying about him. I can do things like work in my office with the door shut while he chills in his bed in the living room and crate him while we have company. He is great off leash, loves to play tug, and almost 5 years on, still follows all his commands great as well.

Linus’s training did so much for my anxiety. I can’t tell you how grateful I was and am for the opportunity to work through his issues (which also helped me work through mine) and learn by watching and doing.”

–Crystal H., behavior modification

“I took my older lab mix, Hobbs, to training with Elisha in 2021. She quickly taught Hobbs how to be a calm and obedient dog with great recall. She took great care to ensure that I was trained too so that I could reinforce his training and work on it at home. I have been so impressed that his training has lasted all these years. It has served him well as he has aged. The calm training has helped preserve his arthritic joints as he no longer uncontrollably bounces off the walls.

Elisha has my highest recommendation. She is fair, honest, and tells it like it is. She has integrity, and she does not rip people off like other trainers do. She knows how to read dogs' body language very well, and she shapes her training to suit the dog. In my opinion, her training methods help the owner have a better relationship with their dog and help the dog to have a better quality of life.

My biggest takeaway has been embarking on the journey of learning to pay attention to my dog's body language and learning how to interpret what it means or could mean. Elisha helped build my foundation for better understanding Hobbs. I now understand that being overstimulated is not the same thing as being super happy. I now understand how to recognize if he is responding to a stimulus by fawning or if he is trying to tell me he genuinely likes the stimulus. It's been super helpful in recognizing his needs like if he is in pain (and where), if he is itchy and can't scratch with his arthritic joints, if he needs more exercise or more rest, etc. There are subtle cues but if I don't pay attention and try to learn, I will never know what they are or their meaning.

Her training has helped Hobbs heal from injuries by teaching him how to be calm and behave in a controlled manner (using his energy during dedicated exercise time as opposed to racing up and down the stairs at 2 am which could reinjure him). Her training has helped me monitor his healing as well. Elisha truly has the dogs' best interest at heart. She is an excellent resource for questions and anyone wanting to learn. I would take any dog to her. Her services are a worth every penny especially considering how effective they are and how willing she is to work with owners to achieve their goals.”

–Ryan H., pet obedience

“Elisha took my wild (literally, stray dog from Qatar) girl who had been passed from several families and was an anxious mess by the time I got her. After three bite incidents, we were considering euthanasia, but the training she got with Elisha changed everything and she’s been a superstar ever since. We had such a good experience, when I got my next puppy I sent her to stay with Aunt Elisha too, and the foundation she put on her has made everyone comment on what a happy, well trained dog I have. She passed Zoom room obedience on the first class…two years later!”

–Amanda D., behavior modification & pet obedience

“We were in a terrible situation with stress and conflict in our pack at home and dealing with escalating fighting and aggression with our 2 females (Scout, 5-year-old husky/GSD/malamute, and Ruby, 1.5-year-old Husky). We were heartbroken at the idea of rehoming one of our pups and are so grateful to have found Elisha! Our girls have been home for around 1.5 months now and are doing so much better. It has taken A LOT of work on my part to maintain strong boundaries, consistency, and structure at home, but our pack of 4 huskies has greatly benefited from these changes. Elisha has provided direction and guidance every step of the way and everyone is much less stressed and so happy!

Scout has struggled with isolation anxiety since she was a puppy. We had resigned ourselves to the reality that the next decade of our life would involve coordinating a human babysitter for her any time we wanted to go out without the dogs. We were told by previous trainers and vet behaviorists that she had separation anxiety and could not be crate trained. She was on gabapentin and sertraline for her anxiety and behavioral issues for 3 years.

Elisha encouraged us to wean her off her meds before training to see her baseline and I am so grateful that she helped support us in this direction, because Scout has really become her happy, relaxed, and grounded self off of medication. We have since learned that Scout is a master escape artist and has more frustration struggles than anxiety, and SHE IS NOW CRATE TRAINED! My husband and I have very much been enjoying date nights and going out ‘childless’ without a dog sitter for the first time in 5 years.

We adopted Ruby right before Hurricane Helene hit WNC, and her first 6 months with our pack have been quite stressful and tumultuous. Elisha has helped her to learn appropriate boundaries and she is now able to moderate her play behaviors and read other dogs’ body language so much better. Elisha did a great job at teaching recall and basic obedience as well! She puts a lot of work into teaching the humans and supporting dogs (and their humans) after returning home!”

–Laura F.C., behavior modification & pet obedience

“We just had our first successful patio breakfast with our ‘aggressive’ GSD we were previously advised to ‘put down.’ Not only was he well behaved and comfortable with minimal correction, he didn't respond to the server or any patrons. The cherry on top? We got him to play (happily) with a uniformed officer in the parking lot before we left! He left with his tail wagging and his ears up, which is something I never dreamed of. Elisha is amazing and I'm so grateful! We still have work to do, but this is the first time I've envisioned a future for us where we can really enjoy life. Thank you!!!”

–Sarah D., behavior modification

“Elisha's experience is evident from the first time you chat with her. She helped me troubleshoot a few behaviors related to different training equipment with a service dog in training, and the difference in his progress was immediate. I have also attended a behavioral euthanasia evaluation with her; she kept expectations fair and clear to the dog while also prioritizing the safety of everyone around. Finally, from a veterinary perspective, having watched her spend untold amounts of time and money learning conditioning and injury rehabilitation, and knowing how much importance she places on fitness and preparedness prior to work or competition, I would have zero qualms placing my pet in her knowledgeable and passionate care.”

–Kayla S., DVM, working foundations consulting

“I have worked with a number of professional service dog trainers, and Elisha is the best I've ever met. Elisha has the rare insight, education, and experience to take into account the intersections of individual dog temperament, handler needs, and the most up to date animal science. Like all of the best trainers, Elisha intimately understands the importance of the human element in dog training, and understands where to find the ‘sweet spot,’ that brings out the best in every dog she trains. I'm consistently impressed with the quality of dogs she turns out- there is no ‘quantity over quality,’ here, and no shortcuts taken. Elisha will be upfront with you about the potential she sees in any dog she works with, as well as where the barriers to success are. You can trust her to not only bring out the best in your dog, but to be honest with you about where the ‘best’ actually is. I cannot recommend her training more highly.”

–Rev. Noël L., working foundations consulting

“I bought a black Lab puppy to replace my retiring service dog last year, and wanted to avoid having similar holes in her training. Elisha worked with both of us to give my girl a solid foundation and she is doing SO well in her more advanced training now. Elisha is clear and consistent and has given me a whole new way of looking at dog training. I couldn’t be happier!”

–Amber L., working foundations

“Elisha has been incredible; her expertise in handling difficult dogs is apparent. She is honest and fair for dogs and people, resulting in happier, healthier connections. I very highly recommend her services!”

–Abigail S., behavior consulting