About Us

We are a Petaluma based Dog Training company. We are two dog trainers on a mission to help create calm & confident dogs through our balanced approach. We believe owner education is a huge part of successful dog training. Not only do we work hands-on with your dog, but we prioritize working with YOU!

We both started working with canines back in 2018 at a doggie daycare center. This is where we met each other! During our years there, we got certified in Dog Body Language & Group Play. Both of us also attended a week-long training seminar, where we shadowed & collaborated with a mentor trainer. Along with our studies, we have YEARS of hands-on experience, with hundreds of breeds & temperaments.

We saw first-hand the number of owners struggling (daily!) with their dogs. This inspired us to take the entrepreneur leap, and so, SDS was officially established back in 2021. Supporting our business means you are directly supporting US!

At Savvy Dog Society, we recognize that every pup (and owner!) is different. We take pride in tailoring our programs and services to fit their needs. We take a Holistic Balanced Training approach. These methods allow us to work with dogs labeled as difficult or aggressive, by having the proper tools and education. We tackle state of mind issues, counter conditioning, reactivity, fear, aggression, and so much more!

We have professional experience & study in:

  • Canine Body Language (Certified Course: The Dog Guru’s - ‘Knowing Dogs 101 & 102’)

  • Group Play (Certified Course: The Dog Guru's - 'Knowing Dogs 201’)

  • Obedience Training & Handling

  • Behavior Modification

  • Puppy Prerequisite Skills

  • Off-leash / E-collar Training

    -Michael Ellis Webinar

Jessica Mather

Owner of Savvy Dog Society
Professional Dog Handler & Trainer

Seven years of practice

Turning a passion into a career, Jess has found her calling working with canines. Born and raised in Petaluma, she takes pride in offering dog services to her hometown. Being in the Professional Pet Care Industry for more then 7 years as a dog handler and head trainer, Jess has the hands-on experience and knowledge when it comes to family dogs.

Jessica is a savvy owner of three Australian Shepherds. Training herding & high-drive dog breeds is nothing new for Jess. All of her pups are E-Collar Trained so they can adventure to the fullest.

Jess has certificates, study, & experience in: Canine Communications, Off-Leash Play, Canine Body Language, Basic Pet Care, E-Collar Conditioning & Training, Obedience, & Puppy foundations. Jess also completed a 5-day (in person) Intensive Dog Trainer Course in 2019.

Jessica's goals are to educate owners on proper, modern training methods and enhance the daily life of all dogs. She also looks forward to growing SDS and dreams of owning property.

Isela Gallegos

Owner of Savvy Dog Society
Professional Dog Handler & Trainer

Five years of practice

Southern born sweetheart with a devotion for canines, Isela dedicates her life to helping dogs and their families. Involved in the Professional Pet Care Industry for more than 6 years, Isela is a dedicated and knowledgeable canine handler and trainer.

Isela is a savvy owner of a rescue street pup, named Joey, rescued from Compassion Without Borders. Together they have worked on behavioral issues such as leash reactivity, unwanted barking, and mouthiness. Joe has come such a long way from his previous life.

Isela has expertise in: Canine Communications, Off-Leash Play, Basic Pet Care, Obedience Training, Puppy Foundations, & E-collar Training. Isela also completed a 5-day (In person) Intensive Dog Trainer Course in 2020.

Isela's goal is to help more local pups, and hopes to leave a pawstive mark on all pups and their families. She has big ideas for the future of SDS and looks forward to lots of growth.

Our Philosophy

Training as a Lifestyle:

Our Balanced Training Approach!

Savvy Dog Society believes in the implementation of structure, boundaries, and appropriate physical/mental outlets for all dogs. We skip the band-aid methods, and dive straight into the heart of the matter - your dog's state of mind. Once that’s sorted, the sky’s the limit! We're all about shaping new habits, guiding your dog to make smarter decisions, and trading that wild energy for calmness.

With our unique approach, we've had success with dogs even when others have thrown in the towel. We don’t shy away from working with “hard” dogs.

We like to describe balanced training as filling up your owner toolkit. Many like to think that training only consists of using treats to reward dogs for things - but what about the problem behaviors? What if food doesn’t work in hard situations? Unfortunately, dog ownership isn’t all rainbows and sunshine.

We are balanced dog trainers, which means we use different tools and methods to help us communicate clearly and safely with dogs. Some of these tools include a slip lead, prong collar and E Collar. Here’s some information about these tools:

THE PRONG COLLAR- The prong collar consists of numerous metal links, plates, and rings. The metal links provide multiple contacts points, placed harmoniously along the dogs neck. All the contact points allow pressure to be evenly distributed throughout the whole collar. (A flat collar does the opposite of a prong collar. It puts all the pressure in one place... your dogs trachea!)

When used correctly, fit properly and up high on a dog’s neck, it enables us to fine tune movements and behaviors. Brand matters! We only use and recommend the highest of quality prong collars - Herm Sprenger. HS has been manufacturing high-quality products for horse, dog, and boat sports for 150 years. The contact points on HS prong collars are rounded, compared to knock-off brands where the points are flat and blunt. Prong Collars do not puncture the skin.

THE E COLLAR- There are many E Collars out there, but there are very few that we would recommend. Once again, brand matters! Always look for one with at least 100 levels. The primary E Collar we use is the “Mini Educator” from E Collar Technologies. ECT also offers a “Micro Educator” for tiny dogs.

We love using the E Collar because it’s neutral, mild, and involves very little mechanical or physical mastery. Modern E Collar training allows for clear communication and is the easiest tool to transfer from trainer to owner. Many think that the dog is being “shocked”. In reality, high-end E Collars are based on the same technology as TENS units - used for physical therapy in humans. Most dogs work at such low levels that most humans can’t even feel. We like to think of the E Collar as icing on a cake— It’s the final layer over your training foundation.

The E Collar allows challenging behaviors to be resolved efficiently. It’s also the ONLY way to safely have your dog off-leash and maintain reliability. The ability to recall your dog back to you, even at great distances, is something no other tool can do. The E Collar expands your dog’s world! The possibilities with this training are endless!

Training Tools

Training Tools

E Collar

  • E-Collar Technologies

    Most Popular Model: ET-300 MINI EDUCATOR® 1/2 MILE REMOTE E-COLLAR

    For Small Dogs: ME-300 MICRO EDUCATOR® REMOTE E-COLLAR

    Multi-Dog Households: The ET-300 Mini Educator can be expanded to a 2-dog unit. For a 3+ dog unit, check out: EZ-903 3-DOG EASY EDUCATOR REMOTE DOG TRAINER

    Accessories:

  • Modern E Collars have come a long way compared to traditional shock collars. E Collar Technologies crafts units that are muscle stimulators, very similar to a TENS unit. Unlike a shock collar, this E Collar has up to 100 levels, allowing the user to tailor the stimulation based on their dog’s temperament, behaviors, and situations.

    When training, we utilize very low levels to help reinforce commands. This opens up the opportunity for off-leash training! Most dogs respond beautifully to low levels and stay under 20/100. Because this unit is so customizable and safe, when corrective or higher levels are needed, it can be done efficiently. The E Collar becomes our solid line of communication.

  • We love how customizable E Collar Technologies is!

    Their units include:

    • 0-100 Levels of Muscle Stimulation.

    • Vibrate or Tone (Beep) Functions, in addition to Stim.

    • Ability to set an Instant Boost Button. (great for users who have a hard time dialing up levels)

    • Night Light Feature on Collar.

    • Remote & Collar are completely waterproof.

    • Interchangeable accessories, like: collars, contact points, remote skins.

    • Multi-Dog Expandable.

    • 1/2 - 3/4 of a Mile Range.

    • Replacement parts and warranty available!

Slip Lead & Prong Collar

  • Walking your dog is a necessity, and leash laws are in place for a reason. When it comes to walking dogs, we have 2 leash set-ups that we prefer (and recommend).

    Most owners walk their dogs with constant tension (pressure) on the leash... we strive for the opposite! We utilize equipment that is handler activated- slip leads & prong collars only tighten when the handler pops or pulls on the leash. This allows us to teach dogs what to do when they feel pressure on the leash & how to release it.

    By teaching your dog a loose-leash walk, you'll witness a significant reduction in undesirable behaviors, leading to a more enjoyable walking experience.

  • The Slip Lead is our tried-and-true training tool. We love the slip lead because its handler activated, a breeze to put on, and dogs cannot slip out of it. (You would not believe how many dogs we've witnessed slip out of their collars and harnesses)

    The Slip Lead is meant to be worn high, up behind the ears, and held in place with a stopper. It can also be twisted into a figure 8 over the dog's nose and create a head halter/gentle leader. 2-in-1!

    We have 2 brands that we love:

  • The prong collar consists of numerous metal links, plates, and rings. The metal links provide multiple contacts points, placed harmoniously along the dog's neck. All the contact points allow pressure to be evenly distributed throughout the whole collar. (A flat collar does the opposite of a prong collar. It puts all the pressure in one place... your dog's trachea!)

    When used correctly, fit properly and up high on a dog’s neck, it enables us to fine tune movements and behaviors. Brand matters! We only use and recommend the highest of quality prong collars - Herm Sprenger. HS has been manufacturing high-quality products for horse, dog, and boat sports for 150 years. The contact points on HS prong collars are rounded, compared to knock-off brands where the points are flat and blunt. Prong Collars do not puncture the skin.