The Calm Dog

If I could give Kirsten 25 stars I would do it. She is amazing!!! She is helping me with my Labradoodle who has developed a phobia about the car and who barked like mad whenever she heard a noise outside. I had tried everything I could think of which only made me more upset and her more anxious– we were caught in an awful cycle.
Kirsten educated me so that I could understand why these things were happening and has been incredibly responsive as Cleo and I get reacquainted after her 3 weeks with Kirsten and Cole. Cleo now sleeps in a crate (something which I had been unable to train her to), walks nicely when we go out, mostly knows where her place is in the house and is much calmer (so am I).
I am so grateful for Kirsten’s wisdom and kindness. She is one incredible lady!!!

Kirsten is one of the best trainers I’ve worked with.
We have a Shiba Inu that we adopted from a neglected situation. He came with a lot of behavioral problems, some of which resulted in aggression. Being new dog owners, we’ve tried different training programs to get our dog to calm his state of mind and to understand that he’s protected and cared for by our family. Kirsten’s training program was the only program that has worked for our Shiba. She was patient, understood our situation and most importantly delivered results in a humane and natural way. She continually helps us and gives us advice and this has resulted in a dog that has a calmer state of being than when he first came to us. I cannot thank her enough for what she has done for our family.

I’ll preface this by saying that I have no doubt in any of the positive reviews posted. I cannot actually comment on Kirsten’s skills as a dog trainer, but I can share my experience with interacting with her and considering her service. First, you set up a consulation so Kirsten can access your dog’s needs/​behaviors. For me, my little guy had nipped our vet when the vet prodded his infected ear a week before contacting Kirsten. Therefore, during the consultation, Kirsten tried to see if she could replicate my dog’s aggressive behavior. After some poking and prodding, no ice– my little guy didn’t become aggressive.10 mins later, I coughed up the $ 100 consult fee and discussed further training. The suggested training was to board my dog for a few weeks to engrain the training, and then learn how to continue the training on my own.
I have not hired Kirsten because the price for the training seems exorbinant. Now, you do get what you pay for, so the training might be amazing. However, part of me thinks that the amount of $$$ floating around in Northern California allows someone to command that type of money for training. Also, from a social interaction standpoint, I found Kirsten to be slightly awkward. She could have been having a bad day when I met her, but I just didnt get the warm, caring vibe that I’d seek in a trainer. Hopefully, I can find effective dog training in the area at a more economical price.

I have a 15lb white female American Eskimo mix named Chloe who has had some behavioral issues that I did not know how to manage. She would be fearful and overly submissive. Shaking and panicking during a ride in the car. Quick to flee out the front door when given the chance where she’d run up to people and bark scaring them and make me late for work. Upon meeting another dog she would roll over and show her stomach. I knew that this was a sign of surrender and I did not see in her the confidence that I had seen in other dogs I had owned in the past. I also found walking her on the leash a struggle. She would either be sidewalk surfing or lurching at other dogs on leash.
I contacted Kirsten and she started doing training walks with her three times a week. I also met with Kirsten on a weekend to work on Chloes escaping the front door when she found a chance. Chloe’s behavior is now balanced and calm. Kirstens working with Chloe and education for me has resolved or greatly improved the issues Chloe was having and now she’s a much calmer dog. I highly recommend working with Kirsten if you are having similar experience.

We were looking for someone to take care of our dog while we were out of town. We’ve had trouble before because our dog has special needs and previous dog walkers have not taken his needs into account. Brodie has PTSD from spending 5 months in a kennel when we first moved to the area. He is very afraid of dogs and most noises, and if he gets too close to another dog he will try to lunge for them and hold them down by their neck.
We had a previous dog walker that called us the first day that we were out of town to tell us that Brodie had gotten into an altercation with another dog, which is not how we wanted to start our vacation.
We found Kirsten on Unilocal and set up a time for her to come and meet Brodie. From the start she knew how to interact with him so that he did not get excited when she came into the yard and house. She listened to all of our concerns very calmly, all the while observing Brodie’s behaviors. She told us what she thought the issues were and how she would address them, if and when we move to a treatment program.
For the time being we simply had her care for Brodie while we were out of town. She walked with us that day and filmed the interaction he had with other dogs walking past, as well as how he interacted with me while on the walk.
When we left for vacation, Kirsten fitted Brodie with a new training collar, and then took Brodie out to get used to his new gear. She sent a video to us twice a day to show us Brodie’s progress with her and to let us know that he was ok.
I have to say, of all the dog «specialists» I’ve encountered in the past 4 years, Kirsten is the only one that made me feel at ease. She worked amazingly with Brodie, and I have even seen improvements in him already from his time with her and his new equipment.
As soon as we are able to we will be sending Brodie off to the 2 week training camp with Kirsten to fully work on his PTSD, and we will be taking training from her to ensure that we are making Brodie’s life as happy as can be and supporting his recovery.
I recommend Kirsten to anyone and everyone. You can be confident that your dog will be safe when in her care, she is vigilant, caring, and actually knows what she is doing. She is a true professional and I look forward to working with her again soon.

When I adopted my Rottie from a shelter, she came with a host of issues; one of which was attacking the vacuum cleaner. She became almost «red zone» when I would turn it on. Tried putting her upstairs when I vacuumed downstairs and vice versa, however, she would bark consitantly and was so anxious. I knew I needed help. I called Kirsten and she was able to address the issue (s) in two, two hour visits. I vacuumed my entire house this weekend with my Rottie laying calmly in the same room. This was a totally amazing transformation. If anyone is looking for an excellent dog walker or someone to help work on those problem issues, I would recommend Kirsten from

I got my Jack Russell (Sonic) from the shelter and wanted his transition into my small apartment to be smooth. I also knew I wouldn’t have enough time to walk him because I was going to work long hours.
I called Bay Area dog walkers to get help walking my very high energy dog. From the very first day I knew Kirsten would be the best person for the job. Sonic is well exercised and also likes socializing with the other dogs in her pack. Even after my work hours go back to normal I still want Sonic being walked with her pack and getting the training I can’t give.
Kirsten has made the transition of having my dog a whole lot easier. She’s amazing with Sonic and has become more than just a dog walker but person with great knowledge and advice on what I could do at home to be a better dog owner.

When I first met with Kirsten, I was simply searching for someone to walk my new puppy, Bug, while I was at work. I wanted to make sure he got exercise and had some company during the day when I was gone. Upon meeting her, her calm demeanor and considerable knowledge about dogs and dog behavior led me to instantly trust her – I knew my dog would be in good hands. Still, when she suggested a 2-​week training session for Bug after noticing some red flags in his behavior (hiding from her when she came to pick him up, growling, constantly looking back at the house and refusing to move forward during walks), I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous! But after speaking with Kirsten and again being reminded of her expertise, I was ready to go ahead with it.
In just two weeks, Kirsten helped Bug become not only an excellent walker, but also a much more pleasant, playful, and loving companion overall. Every time we head out for a walk, I am amazed at his willingness to trot along beside me, the way he immediately sits when we come to a crosswalk, and his responsiveness to my reminders and commands. Our walks have gone from feeling somewhat like a chore to something that I genuinely look forward to (and I think Bug would say the same!).
Aside from the difference I see in Bug, one of the biggest impacts Kirsten has had has been providing me with the education I need to be the best leader and dog owner I can. She immediately picked up on things that I could do to promote a healthier relationship with my dog, and provided the necessary coaching to help me put those things into action. I am so grateful for the help, education, and support that Kirsten has provided and continues to provide. I highly, highly recommend her services!

I was a little afraid to contact Kirsten. I had just moved here and needed a local pet care person, but I know my two dogs are maybe not the most obedient, and with Kirsten’s background in animal training I was afraid she would judge me harshly for being such a lazy owner.
The minute I actually met Kirsten all of those fears evaporated. Kirsten really gets dogs AND people, and she is incredibly gentle and patient and non-​judgmental. I immediately felt comfortable and relaxed with her.
One of my dogs is rather sensitive and fearful — a former Oakland pound-​dog Pit mix who had a bad childhood and still freaks out easily. Kirsten was SO patient with him, just waiting quietly until he was finished barking at her, then sitting on the floor until he was brave enough to approach her. It was beautiful to watch him shyly warm up to her until he was lying happily next to her. By the time we all were out on leashes he was right at her side.
My bossy little cattle dog mix clearly adores her too, especially after she made it clear who was in charge. A necessity with him.
I feel so lucky to have found Kirsten. When I leave the dogs in her hands I am absolutely confident that they are safe and happy and well-​loved!

It was such a heavy time for our family; our loving but sometimes scary, big, unruly dog which we rescued from a shelter had actually bitten someone and I was desperate to find him a new home. So I placed a craigslist ad and instead of instantly finding him a new home, I got so much more… I got connected with Kirsten, an amazing dog whisperer (trainer-​walker extraordinaire) who offered a solution I could not turn down. Could it be possible? Could one woman actually turn my big 85 lb lab-​pit (with an aggressive-​inferiority complex) into a docile, sweet, manageable, well trained dog who got along with other dogs?
Well, I am here to write that she has worked wonders! It all seems so simple to her, and of course it would because its as if she can communicate with my dog– (I’m guessing my dog feels understood for the first time in his life, and she in turn has given him a voice). He now heels when walking, He listens and responds to commands, he can easily lounge around or go on walks with the biggest of dogs, can take walks without tugging, pulling or stopping every minute (which is giving him a nice waist line) and most importantly, Kirsten is helping me to understand him and his triggers.
I could go on and on about the caring, masterful approach she uses (and then teaches me) but it’s just so much more. Kirsten is one of those very special, insightful, strong, extremely intelligent, animal lover-​dog whisperers of the world that I highly commend and am so appreciative of.
My dog has been working with her for less than 2 weeks now, I can’t wait to see what she can accomplish over many months.
I’ll keep you posted!

Kirsten has been caring for my Rottie «Riley» for over a year and has made a huge difference in her life, and mine as well. While Kirsten’s approach is thoroughly professional in every way, she also treats my dog as part of her family. I can go to work now knowing Riley is in her expert care. This has taken a huge burden off my mind, as dog day care options are not always ideal. When I pick Riley up at the end of the day, she’s well exercised, fed, and happy, ready to hang out with me in the evening. I can’t imagine a better scenario. Riley’s happy — I’m happy.
In addition to providing exercise, supervision and nutrition, Kirsten was quick to identify areas where my dog’s training was deficient (in heeling for example) and to implement a training regimine to improve her skills. I have noticed a big difference in her obedience under Kirsten’s care.
Kirsten seems to possess that perfect balance between the strong hand of a trainer (her background as a professional horsewoman doesn’t hurt) and the loving touch of a dedicated pet owner. Having seen her positive effect on my dog, I can’t imagine leaving Riley with anyone else. I couldn’t recommend Kirsten more highly.

Kirsten has been walking our dog for the 3+ years since he was a pup. He is calm, happy, fit and a wonderful family member as a result. As a bonus, Kirsten applies her years of experience as a world-​class trainer to the dog walking service, so he behaves better when we take him out. Bay Area Dog Walkers provides both great service and great value.