riot dog
behavior and training
Training with radical kindness
Services
Obedience Training
Sliding Scale Rates:
4 week Package: $480 - $700
6 week Package: $750 - $950
Inquire about Pay-By-Session and Emergency Rates
Open to all ages and abilities, I offer private lessons with personalized training plans just for you and your pup. From leash training, to recall, to house manners and trick training, there's nothing your pup can't learn!
Behavior Modification and Management
Sliding Scale Rates:
4 week Package: $525 - $825
6 week Package: $775 - $1200
Inquire about Pay-By-Session and Emergency Rates
No matter what your pup is struggling with, I'm here to help. I offer behavioral modification and management for all behavioral challenges, including fearfulness, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, and more. With more than a decade of experience working with behaviorally challenged dogs, spicy pups truly are my specialty!
New Puppy Obedience Training
Sliding Scale Rates:
4 week Package: $500 - $750
6 week Package: $800 - $1000
Inquire about Pay-By-Session and Emergency Rates
Get your new baby started on the right paw! Learn how to properly socialize, build confidence, and learn obedience fundamentals
Rescue Pet Training Program
Sliding Scale Rates:
6 Week Program: $650 - $900
Inquire about Pay-By-Session and Emergency Rates
Help your rescue acclimate to their new life the right way! Riot Dog's rescue program provides your new family member with an in-depth behavioral assessment, obedience training plan, and a personalized guide to help you through your first year together. Plus, ongoing support throughout the first year as you get to know your pet better.
Cat Behavior and Training
Sliding Scale Rates:
Pay-Per-Session: $100-$200
Your kitty deserves training too! I can help your feline friend with behavioral challenges including litter box issues, aggression, handling issues, and more. I also offer obedience and specialty training, including leash training and carrier training.
Daycare, Walks, and Boarding
Services Starting at $50
I take daycare and boarding to the next level. Your dog or cat can receive daily care and guidance from an experienced behavioral specialist, ensuring careful and consistent care tailored to your pet's specific needs.
About
Bender is a dog & cat trainer and behavior specialist with more than a decade of experience in the pet care and animal welfare industries, with her work and influence stretching from Coast to Coast. She first discovered her passion for training while working in animal shelters throughout New England and the East Coast, and now specializes in helping pets with behavioral challenges such as aggression, reactivity, and fear throughout the Bay Area.Over the course of her career, Bender has apprenticed under the Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), helped develop the first Behavior and Training program at Northeast Animal Shelter, Massachusetts’ largest rescue, trained and certified new dog trainers through her Boston-based training company, was lead trainer and manager for Fresh Trails Dog Walking and Training in the Boston area, and was a dog sled musher who trained racing huskies. She has also formerly served as Manager of Animal Operations at the Milo Foundation in Richmond, CA, and Head of Training and Education at San Francisco’s Pet Camp.Bender’s training philosophy begins with understanding a pet’s emotional experience. She believes this is the foundation for helping animals become happier, more confident, and better equipped to navigate the world around them. Her approach is grounded in the latest scientific research on animal behavior and combines radical empathy with positive-reinforcement based learning to help both pets and their people feel safe, confident, and supported.
Ethics
Riot Dog Behavior and Training believes that every life, human or animal, is worthy of care, kindness and respect. To ensure this business is a safe space for all, I adhere to the following code of ethics:
1. Positive Reinforcement Only: Riot Dog does not condone any form of punishment or aversive based training. No prong collars, e-collars, hitting, intimidation, or dominance. Science affirms that Positive Reinforcement is the ONLY effective training and behavior method.2. Financial Support: All people and pets deserve affordable training services. I offer sliding scale, pay-by-session, personalized payment plans and emergency rates for those at risk of or in emergent financial hardship, including but not limited to those experiencing unemployment or homelessness, BIPOC, transgender individuals, and people living with disabilities. If you still can't afford the prices listed on this website, please send an email and I will do my best to work with you.3. NO Worker Exploitation: Riot Dog believes in honoring the rights and humanity of all workers affiliated with us. This means an equitable, livable wage, reasonable hours, worker protection, and a strong work-life balance.4. Justice for All: Riot Dog loves and values community members who are LGBTQ+, black and brown, asian, immigrants, unhoused, refugees, women, and all who value life and justice.
Contact
I'm here to help you and your pet succeed! Check out the calendar to schedule your free 20 minute consultation, or for any other inquiries send me an email. I can't wait to work with you!