Kindness first for dogs and their people
I'm Erika Liljefelt, a certified trainer and behavior consultant serving dogs and their guardians in San Jose and beyond.
For nearly a decade, I have helped people understand behavior with greater clarity and respond with modern, humane support that protects the dog's emotional and physical well-being.
Understanding comes before change
I am proudly force-free.
My work is grounded in kindness, modern canine behavior education, and respect for the welfare of both the dog and the person who loves them.
Behavior does not happen in isolation. A dog's history, environment, emotional state, physical comfort, routines, relationships, and opportunities to meet their needs can all influence what we see on the surface.
My role is not to judge you or overpower your dog. It is to help you understand what may be happening, identify a compassionate way forward, and build practical skills that make daily life feel more manageable.
Kindness is not separate from effective training. It is the foundation of how I teach.
Support that considers the whole dog
The behavior that brings someone to training is often only one part of the story.
I look carefully at what your dog is communicating and what may be affecting their ability to learn, cope, move comfortably, or feel secure.
Emotional well-being
Training should help a dog feel safer and more capable, not more frightened or overwhelmed.
Physical comfort
Movement, posture, sleep, daily habits, and possible signs of discomfort may provide important context for behavior.
Real-life practicality
Your plan should work within your household, schedule, and daily responsibilities.
The human side of training
Guardians deserve patience, clear guidance, and support without blame or judgment.
Specialized support for complex needs
My professional work includes in-person dog training, separation anxiety support, and Dynamic Dog Assessments focused on movement, posture, behavior, and possible signs of physical discomfort.
That combination allows me to look beyond the behavior on the surface and consider what else may be influencing your dog's ability to learn, cope, or participate comfortably in daily life.
I earned my professional training certification in 2020 and have worked professionally with dogs for nearly a decade.
Training and behavior
Practical, force-free help for puppies, adolescent and adult dogs, fear, reactivity, anxiety, and everyday life skills.
Separation anxiety
Individualized remote support for dogs who experience distress when left alone.
Movement and comfort
Detailed observation of movement, posture, routines, and behavior through Dynamic Dog Assessments.
Dynamic Dog Assessments do not diagnose medical conditions or replace veterinary care.
Empathy for an overwhelming world
As a neurodivergent person living with ADHD, I have some insight into what it can feel like to move through a world filled with overwhelming sights, sounds, expectations, and distractions.
Our experiences are not the same as our dogs' experiences, but that perspective strengthens my commitment to patience, curiosity, and compassion.
I know that people can feel overwhelmed, too. You may arrive worried that you have made mistakes, uncertain about what your dog needs, or exhausted by the amount of conflicting advice available.
You do not need to arrive with perfect answers.
We can begin with what you are noticing and build understanding from there.
You and your dog are both welcome in the process.
Education grounded in humane, modern practice
I continue to pursue education that helps me support behavior with greater depth, care, and professional responsibility.
Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant
CTBC
Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant
CSAP-BC
Accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner
ADDP
Family Dog Mediator
Additional education and professional experience
- •Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant
- •Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant
- •Accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner
- •Family Dog Mediator
- •Karen Pryor Academy Trainer Foundations Course
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in aggression
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in breeds and temperaments
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in instincts, emotions, and body language
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in dog evaluations
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in reactive dog classes
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in real-life behavior modification
- •Applied Dog Behavior education in working with fear
Certificates & Credentials
Life beyond training
Outside of my work, I love reading, gardening, hiking, knitting, and spending time with family and friends.
My own dogs are Fiona, a Blue Heeler mix, and Beck, a Border Collie. They are an important part of my life and a daily reminder that every dog brings their own history, personality, needs, and way of experiencing the world.
Living and working with dogs continues to teach me the value of slowing down, paying attention, and remaining curious.
You and your dog are welcome here.
Tell me what is happening, what feels difficult, and what you hope life together can become.
You do not need to know which service is right before reaching out. I will review your inquiry and help identify the most appropriate next step.