Veteran Owned Business
-400+ Clients
-2000+ Consulting hours
Canine Cyberneticist
What does that mean? It means I apply Perceptual Control Theory, a theory rooted in agency & welfare, to dog behavior. Rather than the "Carrots" and "Sticks" behaviorism model, rooted in leveraging conflict between a dog's need to eat, and/or their desire to avoid pain - to control their behavior. Sometimes this works. Often, it doesn't. Imagine you go outside and it's cold. Did the cold "cause" you to put a jacket on, or did you do so because you "wanted" to feel warmth? To the behaviorist, dogs are bags in the wind - blown about by environmental consequences we can reward or punish. To the cyberneticist, dogs "want" things...and behave to achieve their goals. Sometimes with great resistance to our suggestion.
The answer lies in social cooperation & emotional regulation. Working together to achieve both your goals in appropriate ways, and stabilizing chaotic energy cycles causing hyperactivity, hyper alertness, and emotional disregulation.
Overview
Hired 48 times
Background checked
1 employee
6 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, and Venmo.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2021
Services offered
Dog training package
Puppy training
Aggressive behavior modification
General obedience training
Dog size
Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs)
Small (16 - 25 lbs)
Medium (26 - 40 lbs)
Large (41 - 70 lbs)
Dog training type
Private lessons
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Great 4.8
31 reviews
5
91%
4
3%
3
3%
2
0%
1
3%
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Read reviews that mention:
Tamara B.
Apr 21, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Brian has a lot of knowledge and insight on different breeds, their genetic traits and why some methods of training work better than others. His techniques are easy to understand and follow through with. His methods make so much sense verse the traditional methods of dogtraining. Thank you!! Looking forward to continuing our work together.
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Ryan M.
Feb 14, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
Brian was able to help us train our dog who has previously been called "too smart" by another experienced trainer. He taught us things about our dog and his breed that we never knew, and in turn we have been better able to manage expectations and behaviors by understanding where they come from. Our boy was already good, but now he is very good!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Crate training • Digging • Destructive behavior • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
MIke K.
May 5, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
Brian was great gave me some great insight on how to understand my dog. We are already working on some of them. I look forward to our next session. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a good trainer
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Barking • Biting • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Shari H.
May 16, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
Brian arrived right on time and was very thorough explaining his techniques and the whys behind it. He took his time with our dogs and with our questions. I would highly recommend him. We plan to continue with his training techniques and schedule additional appointments. Big thumbs up!
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • Destructive behavior • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Sara S.
Apr 27, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
If you’re looking for someone who knows their stuff but won’t talk down to you or talk at you when giving you the information, then Brian is the trainer for you. He doesn’t just show off his knowledge of dogs and their behaviors, he shows you how to address them and teaches you the psychology behind it, in a simple and respectful way, easy for you to understand. Often times as dog owners we forget that our dogs learn behaviors, behaviors that we strongly influence and contribute to them developing. Brian has been wonderful in helping me unlearn bad habits and helping them unlearn bad behaviors, while also teaching us how to learn new productive ones and communicate with one another better.
Our case was a difficult one seeing that I have three dogs, all with different problems. And I am very impressed and grateful not only for his plethora of knowledge, but especially with his patience in dealing with us. So thank you Brain, for answering our call for help, and for being the awesome dogtrainer you are!
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Brian Fleming
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Introductory sessions are $200 for 90 minutes, follow ups are $120 for 60. Or I have an introductory package for $499 which includes 1 intro and 3 follow ups!
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Effective intervention begins with an investigation into the dog's behavior as well as the human's, an examination of genetic influences, health & medical considerations, social dynamics, etc
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a licensed Family Dog Mediator from the LEGS Applied Ethology program, certificate holder from the Aggression in Dogs Master Course (I've also given educational lectures to students of both programs)
