A Million Dreams Dog Training
Method and Mission
My training method comes from the heart—because I train for the love of dogs. I believe every dog deserves a life filled with structure, joy, and trust. That starts with clear communication, mutual respect, and understanding what truly motivates your dog.
I use a balanced, LIMA-based approach (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive), meaning we teach all new skills using positive reinforcement and rewards—whether that’s food, play, affection, or access to fun. Once your dog understands what’s expected, we introduce clear, fair corrections to help guide them away from poor decisions and toward better ones. Just like in life, actions have consequences—and training is no different.
Most of our work will center around rewarding the behaviors we want and withholding rewards or using thoughtful corrections for the ones we don’t. The goal? To eventually eliminate the need for corrections at all—because your dog learns how to make great choices on their own.
Above all, I believe in creating strong, lasting relationships between dogs and their people. My mission is to empower you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead your dog in a way that feels natural, respectful, and rewarding—for both of you.
Experience and Education
About five years ago, I began volunteering with shelter dogs and quickly saw how much a dog’s behavior impacts their chances of finding their forever home. I became determined not just to help them in the moment, but to set them up for lasting success wherever life takes them. One year and countless volunteer hours later, I finally caved and adopted my dog, Barney. He taught me that training isn’t just about flashy tricks or fixing big problems — it’s the foundation for creating the happiest, healthiest life for our dogs.
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What started as consuming any relevant podcast, video, book, and course I could find has turned into traveling the country to learn directly from some of the world’s most respected trainers. I continue to pursue advanced certifications, attend industry conferences, and stay current on the latest research in dog psychology and behavior. My training is rooted in modern, research- and experience-backed methods tailored to meet the unique needs of every dog and every family.
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Where It All Began
I’ve always believed I was born to work with dogs. Growing up, my obsession with dogs was unmatched — I not only often behaved like a dog, but I read every dog book I could get my hands on, made sure every username I created was dog-themed, and starting at around 6 years old, I collected monetary donations for the local shelter instead of presents for my birthday — a tradition I still proudly carry to this day.
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My childhood golden retriever and best friend, Sam, taught me loyalty, patience, and the importance of being the best person you can be for your dog. Since then, every dog I’ve had the privilege of knowing has taught me something invaluable, whether about compassion, resilience, or the incredible bond we share with our canine companions.
Meet Your Trainer
Pictured: Willow (Left), Steph & Barney (Right)
Hi! I'm Steph, and thank you so much for taking the time to learn about me and my training philosophy! I know how important it is to feel comfortable with the person you’re trusting to help your beloved dog, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly. My goal is not just to guide your dog but also to support and empower you as an owner.
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I was born and raised in Cleveland, OH. I attended undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis where I got my bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I moved to Arlington, VA in 2019 for work as a software engineer. I then began volunteering at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (Falls Church, VA) working with dogs and what started as a hobby quickly became an obsession which eventually became a career. Every training session I offer is a step toward creating a better life for both dogs and their people — and a way to honor the memory of the dogs I couldn’t save by ensuring the ones I work with today never have to face that fate.
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I would also like to introduce my two loving rescues (who you may meet!), who inspire my work every single day. Barney, a German Shepherd/Catahoula mix, joined my life in 2021 and has taught me—and continues to teach me—the never-ending art of training a dog. Then there’s Willow, my Border Collie mix, who has taught me the importance of working with dogs as individuals and the beautiful results you can achieve with consistency and dedication. Both of them have shaped my perspective as a trainer and remind me of the unique journey every dog and owner share.
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I’m so excited to help you and your dog create a strong, happy partnership built on trust and understanding. Let’s get started on this journey together!