About
The rescue dog who changed my life, and the training philosophy that followed
Hi, I'm Aisha.
Like a lot of owners, I thought that if I just loved her enough and tried hard enough, watched a few more videos and did a bit more homework, I could solve anything
A few years ago, I adopted a dog from South Korea named Dalzza.
When Dalzza first arrived, she was without a doubt the sweetest dog, but in certain situations she got especially tense and scared, like during rain, thunder, or a sudden noise. If someone reached out to pet her too quickly, she could get startled and bite.
Even before she came home, I had already started doing my research online:
I knew crate training could help a dog feel safe, but Dalzza's stomach was never settled and she often had diarrhea, so I had no idea how to crate train her. On top of that, before I adopted her, one of her legs had already been injured. It doesn't affect her daily life, but she walks with a slight limp, so the vet advised against too much exercise, which meant the usual advice to exercise her more or walk her to burn off energy didn't really suit Dalzza either.
Not to mention we already had a very feisty cat at home named Chive. I tried the desensitization methods I found online, but the process was far more complicated than I'd expected.
During that time I felt overwhelmed, not knowing how to help Dalzza feel safer.
Then I met the trainer who changed my life, Steven.
Watching the way he understood dogs and helped them feel safe, I realized for the first time that training isn't just teaching a dog to sit or lie down, it's learning how to communicate with them.
And I began to understand that no single method works for every dog. Every dog has their own personality, history, and limits.
That's when I decided to make this my work. I trained under Steven, earned my CCPDT certification, and became a full-time trainer.
I love what I do, because I know that, a lot of the time, it isn't only the dog who needs help.
Every time I see an owner finally breathe a sigh of relief, or a dog return to a calm, happy life, it feels deeply rewarding.
I really do feel lucky.
Getting to help dogs and their families find calm and happiness together in this vibrant, chaotic city of New York is about the best job I can imagine.
Aisha · 犬能艾莎
CCPDT
Certified Trainer
4+
Years Experience
100+
Dogs Trained
300+
Sessions
CPDT-KA, certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), one of the field's most respected independent certifications. My methods are tested, current, and held to a real standard.
Calm is a skill, not a personality.
Most training teaches a dog what to do. I focus on helping a dog feel safe, so calm becomes their default and everything else gets easier.
My Philosophy
Here's something a lot of people don't expect: much of the time, I'm not training the dog, I'm coaching the person who lives with them. I love working alongside my clients, understanding the dog and growing together. Dogs are watching us all the time, so when you're tense, hesitant, or unsure, they feel it. My job isn't only to change a dog's behavior, it's to help you build confidence, because a calm, confident owner usually raises a calm, confident dog.
Using treats, play, and praise to help your dog choose good behavior on their own. When good behavior keeps getting noticed and rewarded, your dog naturally wants to repeat it.
Dogs need more than rewards, they also need clear, consistent rules. Because what really creates a sense of safety often isn't freedom, it's knowing what they can and can't do.
My goal isn't a perfectly obedient dog, but a dog who is calm, confident, and genuinely willing to work with you.