Your Dog's Behavior Is Telling You Something

MY PUPPY...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

Has Endless Energy!
Bites Everything
Just Won’t Settle Down!
Hates Being Touched!
Is Nervous About New Things! .
Needs a Routine!

Puppy Development

MY SMALL DOG IS...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

Barks and Lunges at Everything!
Afraid of the World!
A Little Dog With Big Reactions!
Impossible to Handle!
Can't Handle Being Alone!
Guards Me, Food, or Favorite Things!
Can't Calm Down!
Struggles With Boundaries and Impulse Control!
Aggressive or Becoming Defensive!
Well-Behaved at Home but Reactive Outside!

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

I WANT MY DOG TO...

Master Potty Training
Feel Comfortable in the Crate
Socialize with Confidence
Enjoy Mani-Pedi Time
Feel Calm at the Vet & Groomer
Enjoy Car Rides
Prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Build Skills for ESA Life
Prepare for Therapy Dog Work
Develop Foundational Service Dog Skills

Skill Development

3B System: BIOME. BOUNDARY. BRIDGE.

BIOME

BOUNDARY

Internal & External State

Behavior starts with the dog’s state. We look beyond the behavior itself—assessing sleep, daily routine, enrichment, sensory load, environmental stress, and the dog’s need for proper decompression before asking for change.

3B System

BOUNDARY

Clarity Without Conflict

Clear boundaries create security, not fear. We help dogs understand what’s expected through calm structure, impulse control, place work, safe handling, and leash skills—without confrontation or unnecessary pressure.

3B System

BRIDGE

BOUNDARY

BRIDGE

Connecting Owner & Dog

Real behavior change starts with connection. We teach you to read your dog’s body language, recognize stress before it becomes a reaction, reinforce calm behavior, and communicate with clear timing—so you become the trusted guide your dog can rely on.

3B System

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us yancich.dog.trainig@gmail.com if you cannot find

an answer to your question.

Why do small dogs need a specialized approach?

Small dogs experience the world from a very different physical perspective. People, children, larger dogs, handling, being picked up, grooming, and everyday environments can create significant physical and emotional pressure for a small dog. Our approach considers the dog's internal state, environment, history, communication, and relationship with the handler—not just the behavior we see on the surface.

What is the 3B System?

The 3B System — Biome, Boundary, Bridge — is the framework we use to evaluate and address behavior.

Biome looks at the factors influencing your dog's internal and external state, including genetics, health, stress, environment, history, and daily lifestyle.

Boundary establishes structure, clear expectations, management, and safety.

Bridge develops communication, engagement, trust, skills, and the ability to apply those skills in real life.

We use all three pillars to create a more complete picture of the dog rather than treating one behavior in isolation.

Do you work with puppies as well as older dogs?

Yes. We work with puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs. Whether your puppy is developing unwanted habits or your older dog has been practicing a behavior for years, we start by looking at what is happening, why it may be happening, and what your dog needs to learn next.

Is this just obedience training?

No. Obedience is only one part of the picture. Our focus is understanding why the behavior is happening, what is influencing it, and what your dog needs to function successfully in real life.

Can you help if my dog has already learned bad habits?

Yes. A behavior that has been practiced over time may require more work, but learned behavior can be addressed. We look at what is maintaining the behavior and build a structured plan for changing it.

Can you help my dog become comfortable at the vet or groomer?

Yes. We can work on foundational skills that support calmer veterinary and grooming experiences, including handling, cooperative behaviors, settling, and gradual exposure.

Do you offer Boarding & Training?

Yes. Boarding & Training can be incorporated into appropriate programs when a dog benefits from structured training within a consistent daily environment. The specific length and structure depend on the dog's behavior, goals, and individual needs.

How do I know which program my dog needs?

You don't have to figure that out alone. We begin by looking at your dog's current behavior, history, environment, goals, and needs. From there, we can determine whether your dog needs behavior support, training and skill development, Boarding & Training, or a combination.

My small dog barks and lunges at people or other dogs. Is this an obedience problem?

Not necessarily. Barking and lunging can have different causes, including fear, frustration, over-arousal, learned behavior, environmental pressure, or a combination of factors. Rather than simply asking your dog to “sit” or “be quiet,” we evaluate the situation and work toward understanding and changing the underlying behavior.

How is your approach different from traditional obedience training?

We don't begin with the assumption that every behavior problem is an obedience problem. We observe, analyze, individualize, intervene, coach, and follow up. We consider your dog's behavior, environment, internal state, history, and relationship with you. The goal isn't a dog who behaves perfectly in a training room. The goal is a dog who can function in real life—and an owner who knows how to help them.

How long will it take to change my dog's behavior?

There is no universal timeline. Behavior is influenced by the dog's history, genetics, environment, stress level, learning history, consistency, and the owner's ability to implement the plan. Some changes may happen quickly. More established behaviors can take considerably longer. We focus on measurable progress rather than promising a predetermined result.

What does professional behavior support actually include?

You are not paying for someone to spend an hour with your dog.

You are investing in: Assessment + Analysis + Individualized Planning + Intervention + Coaching + Real-World Application + Follow-Up. We look beyond the visible behavior to understand the dog and build a plan that fits the dog, the owner, and everyday life.

What types of specialized skill development do you offer?

Beyond puppy foundation and general behavior modification, we help dogs and owners prepare for calm veterinary and grooming visits, pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, develop skills for ESA (Emotional Support Animal) life, train for therapy dog work, and build foundational service dog skills.

Do you offer options if I need to leave my dog in your care?

Yes, we provide Boarding & Training, Day Care and Small Dogs Hotel options for clients who need their dog to stay with us for immersive behavioral support and comfortable stay.

Small Dog & Puppy Behavior Specialist in Charleston, WV

Does any of this sound familiar?

Your Dog's Behavior Is Telling You Something

MY PUPPY...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I NEED MY DOG STAY WITH YOU

3B System: BIOME. BOUNDARY. BRIDGE.

BIOME

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

Internal & External State

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

Clarity Without Conflict

BRIDGE

BOUNDARY

BRIDGE

Connecting Owner & Dog

Frequently Asked Questions

TALK ABOUT MY DOG

Vintage Heart & Paw

Small Dog & Puppy Behavior Specialist in Charleston, WV

Does any of this sound familiar?

Your Dog's Behavior Is Telling You Something

MY PUPPY...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

MY SMALL DOG IS...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I WANT MY DOG TO...

I NEED MY DOG STAY WITH YOU

3B System: BIOME. BOUNDARY. BRIDGE.

BIOME

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

Internal & External State

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

BOUNDARY

Clarity Without Conflict

BRIDGE

BOUNDARY

BRIDGE

Connecting Owner & Dog

Frequently Asked Questions

TALK ABOUT MY DOG

Vintage Heart & Paw

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