Behavior Team of the Bay Area, CA

Erika Liljefelt

Certified Trainer & Behavior Consultant, Accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner, Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant

Erika is a force-free, multi-certified dog professional who takes a holistic approach when working with dogs and their guardians. She believes in taking a bottom-up approach to look a little deeper at why a dog might be behaving in a particular way.

As an Accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner, she specializes in assessing dogs to identify potential physical discomfort that may be contributing to behavioral issues. Because a subtle shift in behavior may signify that a dog is experiencing a high level of pain, she believes that it is important to assess a dog with behavioral issues for potential discomfort prior to starting any type of training program.

Erika is committed to always putting kindness to dogs and their guardians first and foremost. She is a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild, Project tRade, and the Shock-Free Coalition.

Kelly Ledtje, Fear-Free Certified

Professional Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

Kelly is a professional dog walker and pet sitter. She specializes in helping dogs with big feelings live their best lives. Kelly is a certified Fear-Free Professional with a commitment to fear-free and force-free interactions and giving animals choices in their day-to-day lives.

Specialties:

• Reactivity
• Stranger danger
• Puppies

Contact details:

Gr8ful Paws Pet Care

🌐 http://gr8fulpaws.com

Mary Kniskern, Fear-Free Certified, KPA-CTP

Professional Dog Groomer

I began my career as a kennel tech and service dog trainer in 2006. In 2011, I began my career in pet grooming. I was unhappy with the treatment I saw in various grooming salons I was employed in. I opened my own salon in 2016 and built my business on the promise that I would never put any dog through what I wouldn’t put my own dog through. I graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy in 2022 and have been Fear-Free Certified Professional since 2021. I use my skills as a positive reinforcement trainer in the grooming salon to ensure every dog in my care learns to trust me and the grooming.

🌐 http://sonnysspaw.com

Suzi Moore, LVT, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA

Cat Behavior Consultant

Suzi Moore is a licensed veterinary technician and certified behavior consultant with 35+ years of professional experience and a special focus on cat behavior issues. She sees cases virtually since her physical presence most often alters the cat’s behavior and focus—she doesn’t need to see the problem in action to fix it! She starts her virtual consultation with a tour of your home so she can see where the cat’s resources are and where the problem is happening. She then creates a custom behavior plan for your unique situation, using only positive, non-punishment methods. By sharing her screen, she can show you various example videos of other clients working through diverse solutions so you’ll see exactly what YOU will be doing with your cat(s). You then receive an abundance of support as you and Suzi implement your plan.

🌐 https://www.anotherapproachbehaviorsolutions.com/behavior-services/cat-behavior-services/

Dr. Alison Gerken, DVM, DACVB, Fear-Free Certified

Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist

Dr. Alison Gerken is the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist in San Francisco and one of just over 100 worldwide. After earning her veterinary degree from UC Davis, Dr. Gerken completed a rotating internship at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, followed by a three-year residency in clinical behavior medicine at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service under Dr. Lisa Radosta. She is also Fear-Free Certified, with a focus on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.

She is passionate about improving pets’ emotional well-being and guiding families through behavior challenges with empathy and expertise. In addition to seeing patients, she lectures nationally and contributes to publications like PetMD, Psychology Today, and The Dodo.

Contact details:

San Francisco SPCA Veterinary Behavior Service

🌐 https://www.sfspca.org/veterinary-care/veterinary-behavior-service/

📧 [email protected]

Sue Rusnak, CTC

Professional Dog Trainer and Walker

Sue has been working in the pet care industry for over two decades. She began by opening Merry Puppins, a pet sitting and dog walking business, in 2003, but quickly learned that clients needed more help with dog training. In 2008 she attended The Academy for Dog Trainers and has slowly moved the business to dog training and walking.

Sue has had a few deaf and/or deaf/blind dogs and loves working with owners who have opened up their hearts and homes to these special beings. She enjoys getting all family members involved in training their dog and keeping them excited about the process. She currently works with dogs who are at the beginning of their learning journey to ones that are ready to go out and about with their owners to more challenging environments.

She is owned by Munson, a 1.5-year-old Terribull, and KeeWill, an 11-year-old cat.

Dr. Ana Clara Muñoz, DVM, Fear-Free Certified

Veterinarian

Dr. Ana Clara Muñoz completed her veterinary degree at the UNAM in Mexico City, followed by a six-month research internship with the University of Bristol (UK) Welfare and Behavior group. She continued her clinical experience with a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Kansas State University, followed by a three-year behavioral medicine residency at North Carolina State University.

During her residency, she treated a variety of patients, including dogs, cats, birds, and even lemurs and bears! She also studied the effect of a medication for storm anxiety used for storm phobia in dogs and published her results in a scientific journal.

After residency, Dr. Muñoz came to the Bay Area and worked at the SF SPCA behavior clinic before returning to general practice at Village Square Woodside. Dr. Muñoz is passionate about preventative behavioral care and identifying and addressing chronic pain in pets, and currently sees general practice patients.

M. Cecilia Sternzon, CPDT-KA

Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant

With over 20 years of professional experience in dog training, Cecilia stays on top of the latest scientific discoveries in learning and behavior with consistent continuing education.

Cecilia started training her own dogs at the age of 12. But it was years later that she joined the profession of dog training. In 1992, she joined a dog sports club and began teaching pet dog training classes to support the club. Working part time in dog training, she earned her CPDT in 2003.

In 2004 she launched her full-time business, Canine Higher Learning, offering dog training and behavior consulting. Through her business, she also now manages the group dog training programs at the Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas, California.

Cecilia employs only the most modern, science-based, dog-friendly (and people-friendly) training methods. In her personal life, she also trains cats, horses, rabbits, chickens and more.

Cecilia has been a member of the Pet Professional Guild since 2018 and a member of the Association for Professional Dog Trainers since 2003.

Nathalie Mosbach

Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant, CCPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

In 2007, Nathalie entered the professional dog industry in the United States as a professional dog hiker. Over the years she continued her education and learning journey in the dog training and behavior field by attending webinars, seminars and workshops. Nathalie then started offering private dog training sessions and started teaching classes. In 2020 she opened a brick-and-mortar dog training center in the South Bay. Nathalie specializes in puppies and fearful, anxious and/or aggressive dogs.

As a crossover dog handler and trainer, Nathalie is fully committed to aversive-free and humane dog training methods. Due to her personal experience with anxiety, she has devoted her life to helping dogs of any size and breed to thrive in our society.

Nathalie is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant and a Certified Advanced Dog Walker, and she is Fear-Free Certified. She also speaks fluent English, German and Dutch. She shares her life with her husband Jeff, their two adult children, a grandson and three dogs.

Specialties:

• Puppies and adolescent dogs
• Reactive dogs
• Anxious, fearful and aggressive dogs (specialized on nervous system regulation)

Contact details:

South Bay Dog Training

🌐 https://www.southbaydog.training/

📧 [email protected]

Kaajal Tiwary, ABCDT, KPA CTP, PRO Dog Trainer

Professional Dog Trainer

Kaajal Tiwary—“KT” to her clients—is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in Silicon Valley and the founder of D For Dogz. She specializes in puppy foundations, adult dog training, reactivity support, and holistic dog behavior solutions and works to create calm, happy, and reliable companions.

Kaajal’s training philosophy brings together science and compassion. She is committed to positive reinforcement, clear communication, and behavior modification techniques that foster trust and reliability in dogs and their families, and her certifications reflect that.

Kaajal also draws on her background as a Certified Reiki Master, Emotion Code Practitioner, TTouch Practitioner, and Quantum Healing specialist. She integrates these gentle techniques in ways that support emotional balance and help dogs feel secure while they learn. By combining proven, science-based methods with holistic, mindful healing practices, Kaajal offers a path that strengthens behavior, deepens trust, and supports the emotional well-being of dogs and their families.

Malena DeMartini, CDBC, CTC

Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant

Malena DeMartini is on a mission to make the world a better place for dogs who panic when left alone—one calm goodbye at a time.

A certified trainer and behavior consultant with over two decades of experience, Malena is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work with separation anxiety. She’s the author of two celebrated books, the creator of the widely respected online course Mission: POSSIBLE, and the founder of a global certification program for skilled dog professionals who want to dive deep into this challenging yet hopeful work.

Malena’s approach blends heart and science, offering real-world hope to dogs and their people through humane, effective strategies. Whether she’s mentoring professionals, speaking at conferences, or cheering on dog guardians through the tough days, her passion is clear: helping every dog feel safe being home alone.

More resources and support can be found at malenademartini.com.

Specialty:

• Separation anxiety

Contact details:

Malena DeMartini

🌐 https://malenademartini.com/

📧 [email protected]

Lindsay Dellas, CTBC, CPDT-KA, FFCP

Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant

Since 2017, Lindsay Dellas has been a dedicated force-free and fear-free dog trainer and behavior consultant. A graduate of the Dog Training Internship Academy, Lindsay takes a holistic approach that gets to the root of behavioral issues to create lasting, effective change.

Lindsay specializes in working with reactive and aggressive dogs, and dogs showing various signs of anxiety and fearfulness. She also has a passion for helping senior dogs live their best lives. Her thoughtful methodology focuses on opening clear lines of communication between dogs and their guardians, ensuring both ends of the leash can thrive together.

As a lifelong learner who holds extensive continuing education credits, Lindsay believes that collaboration with other dog professionals is critical to achieving the best outcomes. Her compassionate, science-based approach has helped countless families transform challenging behaviors into confident, happy relationships.

Specialties:

• Reactivity
• Aggression, including dogs with bite histories
• Anxiety and fearfulness
• Senior dog care

Contact details:

Good Dog Happy Dog

🌐 https://gooddoghappy.dog/

📧 [email protected]

Dr. Mayuri Billingsley, DDS, MS, IAABC-CDBC, IAABC-ADT

Professional Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant

Dr. Mayuri Billingsley is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Accredited Dog Trainer based in Northern California. She specializes in helping dogs that fight, bite, are fearful, shut down or have difficulty coping with their world. She is experienced with complex behavioral cases including dog-directed, animal-directed, and human-directed aggression; resource guarding; prey drive; former street/stray dog rehabilitation; handling issues (grooming, vet visits); and service dog training. All training is done using food, toys, games and play.

Mayuri grew up around and lived with free-ranging village dogs in India for 30 years and has a deep understanding of working with them. She works online through her business, DoggEd LLC, and has clients across the United States and around the world. As a dentist and biomedical engineer, Mayuri is passionate about translating animal behavior science and research into actionable training that both dogs and guardians enjoy.

Susan Wu

Professional Dog Trainer

Susan Wu is a professional dog trainer catering to pet parents on the San Francisco Peninsula and at the Monterey Peninsula. Susan’s true passion and specialty is family pet dog training, particularly in the areas of puppy training and shy or fearful dogs. It’s Susan’s goal to help families live better, happier lives with their canine companions through positive training methods, personalized attention and creative solutions. In her professional life, nothing makes her happier than seeing dogs and their humans make progress together and enhance each other’s life.

Specialties:

• Family pet dog training
• Puppy training
• Shy or fearful dogs

Contact details:

Nu Paws Academy

🌐 https://nupawsacademy.com/

📧 [email protected]