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About your trainer

Who you would be working with, how I train, and the standards I hold myself to.

Liz Swerdlow, dog trainer at Valley Dog Trainer.

Hello

I am Liz Swerdlow, and I train dogs in the Valley.

I got into dog training almost by accident. My first real experience was with a rescue dog I was helping with who had a lot of anxiety and behavioral issues, and I became fascinated by how much could change with the right communication and consistency. Before that I was working in a completely different field, but I eventually realized I wanted to do something more hands-on and meaningful.

I focus on service dog work because I love the combination of precision, purpose, and the impact it can have on someone's everyday life. A well-trained service dog isn't just obedient — they're learning how to make good decisions in real-world situations and become a reliable partner for their person.

I also specialize in board and train because it lets me work with a dog consistently throughout the day, build strong foundations, and give owners a much clearer path forward when the dog comes home. My goal isn't simply to train the dog for you — it is to teach you how to maintain what we have built together.

I'm patient, straightforward, and very hands-on. I don't believe in rushing a dog through training. We build things one step at a time, with clear expectations and consistency.

Background

Training and credentials.

Where I am in this profession, stated plainly.

Experience

Nine years of hands-on work with dogs, from anxious rescues through to service dog candidates.

Certification

Currently working toward CPDT-KA, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers' knowledge-assessed credential.

Focus

Service dog training and board and train. Reward-based methods, with the handler coached alongside the dog.

How I train

Methods, and why.

Reward-based, without exception

I use marker training, shaping, and careful environmental management. The dog gets paid for the behavior I want and does not get the chance to rehearse the one I do not.

No prong collars, no e-collars, no leash corrections. This is not squeamishness — it is that punishment suppresses behavior without teaching an alternative, and a dog trained through avoidance is a dog that shuts down under pressure. For a service dog expected to think clearly in a loud, crowded, stressful place, that is disqualifying.

I will tell you what I actually think

If your dog is not a service dog candidate, you will hear it at the assessment and not eighteen months and several thousand dollars later. If a shorter program would serve you better, I will say so. If your problem is a veterinary one wearing a behavior costume, I will send you to a vet.

There is a lot of money in telling people what they want to hear about their dog. I would rather have a smaller practice and a clean conscience.

Still reading? Let's talk.

Tell me about your dog and what you need. I reply to everything within one business day.

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