Hello! I’m Stella, a R+ dog trainer in San Francisco Bay Area. I help local pet owners train their dogs and fix behavior problems using positive and science-based methods. My goal is to give clients the skills to have a happy and stress-free relationship with their pets.
I volunteer at the San Francisco SPCA, where I assist with dogs that have behavioral issues.
I live in Pacifica, California with my dog, my husband, and a parrot bird. And besides dog training, my interests are: human psychology, surfing and outdoors, parrots and tropical houseplants, knitting and pickleball.
My training approach
Dog training, to me, is about helping dogs become well-behaved, smart, and independent. It’s about teaching them what we expect from them and how to make good decisions. It’s about creating a strong bond and clear communication between us and our dogs.
I think it’s important to let our pets be free-spirited and confident. At the same time, we should teach them rules and boundaries, so we all can co-exist peacefully and stress-free.
You can achieve this through positive dog training. This involves giving your dog plenty of mental and physical activities, and structured play. There’s no need for force, punishment, or constant correction.
As a personal dog trainer, I help SF Bay Area pet owners train their dogs. I use my knowledge to check the dog’s current skills and behavior issues. I make a custom training plan, and guide the owner through exercises to carry out this plan. I’m like a coach for pet owners, teaching them how to train their own dogs.
I love teaching dogs everyday skills such as calm greetings without jumping or barking, good leash behavior for stress-free walks, and being relaxed and friendly around other animals, children, and moving objects. I also help dogs feel at ease when left alone at home or during public travel.
Training methods
At Pintar Dog Training, we employ positive reinforcement (R+) methods. This approach rewards dogs for desirable behaviors and teaches replacement behaviors for unwanted ones. Rewards can include food, playtime, or access to things your dog enjoys.
We avoid force, correction tools, outdated dominance approaches, and other methods deemed unethical by modern dog trainers. Force or intimidation is unnecessary, as reward-based training has been proven effective for teaching necessary skills and resolving behavioral issues.
We avoid an “one size fits all” approach, opting instead for customized training that meets the specific needs of each dog and their owner. In private lessons, we consider the dog’s emotional state and learning speed, adjusting exercises and plans as needed. We prioritize the dog’s wellbeing, ensuring training is enjoyable and viewed as quality time with their guardians.
Why I believe in one-on-one private dog training
I believe in one-on-one private dog training because it allows for personalized attention and training plans tailored to each dog and their unique needs.
When working with different dogs with seemingly similar issues, I still readjust the plan for each particular dog: exercises may need modifications or replacements. Ultimately, every dog, especially those with multiple behavior issues, requires a very customized approach.
- Comfortable Environment: Training in familiar surroundings like home works better.
- Reduced Distractions: Fewer interruptions compared to group classes.
- Flexible scheduling: choose a time that suits you on weekends or weekdays
- Faster Progress: Individual focus leads to quicker learning and improvement.
- You decide what’s included in the training program
- Private sessions are customized around your and your dog’s learning speed
- Confidence Building: Helps shy or anxious dogs learn at their own pace.
- Consistent Follow-Up: Easier to track and adjust training progress.
- Family Involvement: Opportunity for the whole family to participate in training.
Book a service
if you are a new training client, please book initial consultation first
My path into dog training
My journey into dog training started over 10 years ago in Indonesia. I adopted a puppy from a street dog rescue. While these local street dogs were typically friendly, they were often not trained, nor considered intelligent, and were usually shy and fearful.
From the moment my puppy joined me, I was resolved to raise her into a dog comfortable with travel, trustworthy in public, and confident when left alone at home.
Living in an area where there were no local dog training schools or puppy classes, I decided to learn how to train my dog on my own. I delved deeply into dog training, reading lots of books on dog training, watching YouTube channels, and participating in webinars. Of course, I also trained her daily.
The results were incredibly satisfying: my dog turned into an amazing companion. We traveled together by car and scooter, stayed in various hotels, ate at cafes, hiked volcanoes and canyons, and she would patiently wait for me on the beach while I surfed. When we relocated from a rural Bali village to the city life of San Francisco, her training proved invaluable: she effortlessly adapted to her new lifestyle.
Years later, during a forced career transition, I took a temporary job as a dog walker. I truly love dogs and wanted a job that would bring me happiness and simplicity. I worked with various breeds and age groups, each with different needs. The more I worked as a dog walker, the more I realized that many of the client dogs lacked basic obedience skills or would show reactive behavior. They would jump, pull on the leash, react to other dogs or people, bark in public, and lunge on the leash. Many dogs also lacked good communication skills – some barely knew their names!
This inspired me to further my education in dog training and animal behavior, eventually becoming a professional dog trainer. I enrolled in the Petco Dog Trainer Program and started volunteering at a SFSPCA dog shelter.
I dedicated countless hours to improving my knowledge through online courses and workshops by renowned trainers like Grisha Stewart, Leslie McDevitt, Susan Garrett, Antonina Zimareva, Simone Mueller, and others. Eventually, I left Petco and began working as a private dog trainer.
Pintar dog training: The name ‘pintar’ comes from the Indonesian word ‘smart’. I chose this name because a) my dog was born and raised (and rescued) in Indonesia, and this is my little tribute to the several years I’ve spent there, and b) also because I believe that the best approach to dog training is being smart about all the challenges dog owners might face.
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