Not every dog needs the level of behavioral intervention we specialize in—and that’s a good thing.
While we focus on complex reactivity and aggression cases, we maintain a trusted network of trainers we confidently refer to for puppy raising, basic obedience, and foundational training.
These are trainers we know, respect, and trust to deliver results without compromising the dog in the process.
Torin Nikstead
Side Quest Dog Training
Gardner MA and surrounding areas
Torin Nikstead is a professional trainer with a strong foundation in obedience, behavior, and service dog training. They are an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and bring both formal education and hands-on experience to their work.
They focus on building practical, real-world skills through clear communication and engagement—whether working with puppies, foundational obedience, or service dog teams. They offer private lessons, day training, and a home school program, but do not take board and train clients at this time.
Why we refer to them:
Torin is a go-to for puppies, obedience, and service dog development. They create clarity from the start, setting dogs up for long-term success and preventing behavior issues before they escalate.
Also—we have a long-standing agreement: I send them the puppies, they send me the biters. It’s a system, and it works.
Larissa Heald
Hope Heald K9
Cape Cod and surrounding areas
Larissa Heald is a professional trainer specializing in service dog development, obedience, and behavior, with a strong focus on building confident, capable dogs. They are particularly skilled at developing service dog teams and working with dogs that need additional support gaining confidence in the world.
Their approach centers on clear communication and thoughtful exposure, helping dogs move from uncertainty to stability. They are known for taking dogs out on structured trips to proof training in real-world environments—ensuring skills hold up beyond the training field.
They offer private lessons and training programs tailored to each team, with an emphasis on creating reliable, functional behavior that supports both the dog and handler.
Why we refer to them:
Larissa is a go-to for service dog training and for dogs that need confidence built the right way. They excel at creating thoughtful, real-world capable dogs while keeping the individual dog’s needs front and center—making them a trusted referral for both developing teams and dogs who need help navigating the world more comfortably.