Speak! (Quietly)
“Dogs have a language that allows them to communicate their emotional state and their intentions to others around them. Although dogs do use sounds and signals, much of the information that they send is through their body language, specifically their facial expressions and body postures.”
— Pet Partners, Canine Body Language
Private Coaching
Home or on location, we'll work on specific behaviors and issues you want to address and actions you want to perfect.
We offer individual sessions or packages of 3 lessons or 5 lessons. we highly encourage scheduling free phone calls between lessons, so we can best serve you and your pup’s needs. Plus, former and current students are all invited to practice your leadership with, "walk with george’s Friends".
Walk with George’s Friends!
Walk with George’s Friends (and Risa). Join us for a fun, relaxed walk with your pup. This invitation is for all of Risa's current and prior students.
It's an open invitation to practice and help master communication skills and gain proficiency reading doggy body language.
Check out the next date and location by visiting @Learnfromgeorge on facebook.
Practice with Risa
Want some help practicing your lessons at home or at different locations? Risa will meet with you and your pup and support your practice with leadership and knowledge. Whether you are practicing simple commands, loose leash walking or need a human with a practice dog, risa will help you practice your positive reinforcement dog training between lessons. Check the schedule for a time that works for you. (tHis is not a lesson but time together to practice from our last lesson.)
Risa Meynarez, CPDT-KA
Risa's journey begins in atlanta in radio as a producer at a local station and writer for CNN International.
Seeing the devolution of news, Risa took her experience and leadership to a marketing role with the CNN Networks. During that time, there were periods where she thought, "I am going to leave and become a dog trainer."
Instead, Risa moved to Turner's entertainment division, leading marketing and sales for TBS Atlanta, Turner South, Peachtree TV and Braves baseball.
The irony, after moving to Portland, Oregon to be with family and to raise her two boys, the General Manager of a local Unleashed store asked her to become a dog trainer.
With George O'Malley as an inspiration and her own family passionate about dogs, Risa trained and taught lessons during her spare time on weekends.
Now, inspired by students and their families, she welcomes you all to join her in this positive and satisfying bonding experience with your family friend. Thank you all for making a quiet dream become a rewarding reality.
Client Reviews
Beatrice
"Bea has been on her second restaurant outing this weekend, getting multiple downs each place (with no hesitation) and being extremely well behaved. The one pictured was about 3 minutes :). I couldn't imagine her being this well behaved before we started training."
-CARA C.
Onyx
“Risa has a true talent communicating with our German Shepherd, and us her owners. We're making good progress and am looking forward to getting the most ouT of our training to help make our dog as happy and well behaved as possible.”
-Tim T.
Oliver
“i had to feed the dogs and Oliver always finishes first and then hovers over Ellie barking. Well, I didn’t feel like hearing it so I told him to leave it and he stopped and turned to look at me. I told him Here and he came over to me and I gave him a treat after I told him yep. He never barked again. My husband was shocked and me too. So things are working. Of course we have only been working on this for a week. He is starting to get it.”
-Francine F.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ 1
What makes George & Friends Dog Training stand out from other dog trainers?
Answer:
George & Friends Dog Training stands out because we don’t just train dogs — we coach people to be able to train and communicate with their dog. Our work focuses on dogs developing listening, watching and behavioral skills. It is relationship-based, and rooted in calm, clear communication and behavioral conditioning. Training is led by Risa Meynarez, CPDT-KA, a nationally certified professional dog trainer, with years of experience helping families build confident, connected relationships with their dogs.
Our approach looks at the whole dog:
• Your dog’s history, development, and medical background
• Your dog’s breed traits and natural tendencies
• Your dog’s environment, food, and daily routines
We don’t just correct behaviors or teach obedience — we modify the environment, teach new skills, and condition the best emotional and behavioral responses so your dog can make good choices on their own. Every program is personalized to both the dog and the human family.
Most of all, we focus on creating a lovely, trusting bond between dogs and their people — so life together feels calm, joyful, and connected, not stressful or combative.
FAQ 2
Why does George & Friends Dog Training use positive reinforcement instead of “balanced” dog training?
Answer:
At George & Friends Dog Training, we use positive reinforcement because it builds learning through trust, clarity, and emotional safety — not fear or avoidance. While “balanced” training often includes corrections or aversive tools, research shows dogs learn more effectively when they feel secure and motivated. Positive reinforcement strengthens your dog’s confidence, improves focus, and creates long-term behavior change without risking fallout like anxiety, suppression, or damaged trust. Our goal isn’t just obedience — it’s a calm, thoughtful dog who wants to work with you.
FAQ 3
Does positive reinforcement work for reactive or “stubborn” dogs?
Answer:
Yes. Positive reinforcement is especially effective for reactive, fearful, anxious, or so-called “stubborn” dogs because it addresses the why behind the behavior — not just the surface actions. Reactivity is often rooted in stress, fear, anxiety, or lack of coping skills. Using reward-based, behavior-first training helps dogs feel safer, think more clearly, and make better choices. At George & Friends Dog Training, we build emotional regulation, confidence, and engagement so dogs can learn without pressure or shutdown.
FAQ 4
Does George & Friends Dog Training have experience training German Shepherds?
Answer:
Breed Experience & Behavioral Traits: George & Friends has experience training many breeds and mixed breeds, including working dog breeds, herding breeds, poodle mixes, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, pit bull–type dogs, Chihuahuas, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Corgis, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, French bulldogs, and many other mixed-breed dogs. Training plans take inherited breed traits and potential medical conditions into account and use socialization, training, behavior modification, and counter-conditioning to support behavior change.
FAQ 5
Do you work with rescue dogs or help families integrate a new dog into the home?
Answer:
Yes. George & Friends Dog Training works extensively with rescue dogs and families bringing a new dog into their home. We understand that many rescue dogs come with unknown histories, stress, or gaps in early development. Our whole-dog approach looks at age, breed, medical issues, behavior, environment, routine, and emotional needs so your new dog can settle in and build trust with every family member — both human and furry.
Contact Us
Need to talk now?
Schedule a time for chat through the online booking feature.
OR
Shoot her at text with your name & puppy's name.
OR
You can give Risa a call at (971) 770-2320.
OR
Send up an emergency flare, we'll find your home!
Seriously, totally get the urgency.