Training We Offer
A HAPPY HOUND IS A HAPPY HOME
Have a good dog who struggles with their manners? Feel like you hit a plateau in training? Learn how to train your dog in a way that sticks.
EMBRACE OFF LEASH FREEDOM
Companions that adventure together, stay together. Unlock a world of excursions when you have a dog who comes back when called, no tall fence required!
ADVICE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS
You know your Borzoi or other sighthound isn’t like other dogs - we do too. Consult a trainer who has been through the same struggles as you, from prey drive to reactivity and more.
I’m Serena, and I train my Borzoi for the impossible.
Growing up with giant, prey-driven sighthounds such as Borzoi, I was terrified of letting my dogs off leash. That’s the only way to keep them safe, even if it’s boring, right?
Wrong!
Your dog does not have to live a boring life. Your Borzoi, Greyhound, Silken, or Lurcher deserves to RUN.
I’ve trained all of my Borzoi to successfully recall off-leash, and countless others.
You just need the courage to get started.
Our Services
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Weekly pack walks for athletic hounds who love to run around. Exploring beautiful natural locations in and around Federal Way, Auburn, Tacoma, and Seattle.
Open to current & past training clients. New dogs welcome alongside ecollar training! Ecollar encouraged but not required.
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At-home, private, dog training lessons for an hour each day, every weekday. 2 and 3 week programs available.
Great for ambitious dogs and owners who want to tackle leash training, recall, reactivity, & more, without sending their dog away. -
A private, one-off, hour training session with Serena to get to know your dog & decide on a personalized plan for your situation.
Great for those who want privacy, flexibility, and are ready to learn handling skills alongside their dog.
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Share your training difficulties with me in a private, open-minded 1-hour video call, where I will listen, advise you on training, and demonstrate helpful games and drills.
Great for troubleshooting leash manners, ecollar hiccups, and puppy training.
Where do we train?
After hiking the foothills of Scotland and braving the royal parks in London, we have returned to our original location in the magical Pacific Northwest.
We offer group adventures, in-home lessons, and private lessons all the way from King County to Thurston County.
You’ll often find us hitting the trails at Dash Point State Park, building our racing muscles at Pinnacle Peak in Auburn, or practicing leash manners on bike trails up and down Federal Way.
On adventure days, we love to explore the foothills of the Cascades, Dash Point State Park, and Capitol Forest. Our priority is getting your dog outside & active, in a safe but bold way.
More from our clients . . .
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![Three black and white Borzoi stand on a wooden porch. One Borzoi sniffs the ground, another Borzoi is turned to the front door, and the last Borzoi with tan points faces the camera.]()
- Lorraine
“Two of our three dogs are very mistrustful of strangers and difficult to handle. Serena has done a wonderful job with them. They both adore her. We have been really impressed with how she has been able to gain their trust and handle them, as they are also both giant breeds."
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![A white Borzoi, like a long-haired greyhound, lounges on a tan sofa. The Borzoi has black sable markings on her head and back, gold eyes, and is smiling.]()
- Melanie C.
“Serena is brilliant with dogs - my two love her, and her lovely dog Raoul. Serena is patient (with people and dogs) and approaches training with a good sense of humour. She has a very close bond with her dog Raoul and because of this, they understand each other well and Raoul has learned a very wide range of commands."
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![A medium sized white goldendoodle in a neat no-nonsense trim sits looking at the camera on a gray wooden floor.]()
- Lynette L.
“Serena has a passion for dogs. She is very knowledgeable about the differing needs of a dog depending on its breed. Serena adapts her approach to meet the unique needs of each dog. Her calm demeanor and patience makes her an ideal choice for anyone seeking a trustworthy and skilled dog walker. Serena is committed to the well-being of the dogs she works with."
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![A light skinned woman in jeans and a grey fleece coat walks a brindle greyhound on a leafy autumn path between trees. The greyhound keeps pace with her in a loose leash walk.]()
- Howard Wakefield
"Serene solved the freezing issue we had with our greyhound after just one session. Now we can go in any direction and even turn around without him fixing himself to the spot. Thank you Serene - you have made our doggy walks an absolute pleasure."
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![A fawn whippet puppy with a white blaze stretches out in a black wire crate, cozy in a nest of blankets and soft toys.]()
- Luce
“Serena has been so helpful with my sweet new adolescent whippet, we had some struggles with the crate and we’re working through some puppy excitement on leash- plus my million and one questions! Serena has been invaluable- answering all my questions and making sure I understand and being incredibly accommodating. I adore watching her gorgeously trained hounds on socials! Absolutely recommend for anyone with a sighthound who wants honest, clear and caring communication and help from a very dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced trainer!”
You got your Borzoi or greyhound mix dreaming of watching him zoom free in fields. You never imagined you would be struggling to even walk him down the road.
You’ve tried all the treats, all the coaxing, but he just spits them out.
You’re frustrated, disappointed, and desperate for change.
You’re exhausted from trying random internet “tips” that have no long-term effect.
I have a hunch …
Instead of frustration as you try to train a dog who won’t even look at you when you have a treat, or the rush of embarrassment when your running dog wants to, well, run — straight into someone else’s picnic at the park! — or the frantic worry that you have to be home in exactly 43 minutes before Fido freaks out because you went to the store without him …
Imagine how it would feel to move as smoothly with your sighthound as a dance you’ve known your whole life.
What if training your sighthound could feel natural instead of forced ?
… Hi, I’m Serena. Dancer, dog-lover, and world traveler.
I tried for 3 years to train my first Borzoi Raoul to walk nicely on leash. I even trained him to be a disability service dog - which went perfectly, as long as there were no small dogs around!
It all came to a head in London, England, when I was exhausted from avoiding other dogs, lonely and missing my friends from never going out due to separation anxiety, and feeling guilty and worried that this was going to be Raoul’s life forever.
After reading a blog post from one of my favorite sighthound breeder and dog trainers, Kayley Paylor from In Stride Azawakh, I took a leap of faith. I went out of my comfort zone and learned ecollar training from The Good Dog Coach in London.
After 3 whole years, it only took us three months to go from on-leash frustration to off-leash freedom.
I was stunned. This training is the best kept secret in dogs — I wanted all of my Borzoi and sighthound friends to know about this! Imagine how much happier we would be as breed enthusiasts if we all trusted our dogs, and went outside together??
Our dogs’ whole worlds would transform forever.
Inspired, I started walking and training dogs in London, enrolled in the Everyday Trainer’s mentorship program, and opened my online doors for business. My next two Borzoi puppies were recall trained and enjoying off-leash adventures by the time they were six months old.
My mission is to inspire, encourage, and lead other Borzoi and sighthound owners to feel the peace, freedom, and excitement that comes from having a trained dog. If we could do it, so can you.
Get in Touch
