for a better dog starts with a better you…
Dog Training in Portland
Professional and compassionate local dog training
Hi, I’m Dallas! I started Better You Dog Training with a simple mission. I want to help people become better versions of themselves through their dogs. What began as a desire to have a well behaved dog gradually turned into a deeper journey of becoming more patient, consistent, and confident myself.
I grew up in middle Tennessee surrounded by dogs. My first dog was a Bloodhound my family had, when I was three years old. Followed by Beagles and Basset Hounds as I got older. Now I share my life with two dachshunds and a goldendoodle. I love attending dog events, camping and hiking, and treasure hunting at thrift stores for perfect knickknacks.
We serve Portland, OR and the surrounding communities. Our services include in home private training, day train sessions, and board and train programs. We specialize in dog aggression, dog reactivity and anxious dogs using relationship and rewards based methods. Every program is tailored to your goals so you can enjoy a calmer, happier, and more connected life with your dog.
Testimonials
We can’t say enough about Dallas!
We came in with two dogs who, through our own spoiling, refused to listen to a single command. Walks were stressful, dog parks were off-limits, and recall was a joke. But things got worse—our dogs began to have serious tension with each other, even escalating to fights we couldn’t break up because they wouldn’t listen to us. It got to the point where we were tiptoeing around our own home, and even having heartbreaking conversations about possibly rehoming one of them. It was devastating.
As a last-ditch effort, we invested in a 6-week board and train program with Dallas. And it completely transformed our lives.
From the very beginning, Dallas was communicative, compassionate, and clearly an expert. He sent us personalized updates on a private YouTube channel, complete with training videos and even adorable portrait shots of our pups. We missed them terribly, but were floored by the progress we saw—even from afar.
Now that they’re back home, it’s like we’re living in a completely different world. For the first time in years, our home feels peaceful. They respond to over a dozen commands, they’re crate trained, and they’re calmer, braver, and more balanced than we ever thought possible. Dallas even managed to crate train our 7-year-old “Velcro dog,” and helped our 3-year-old wild child learn impulse control and respect boundaries.
But the truth is—he didn’t just train our dogs. He trained us, too. We now understand what our dogs actually need, and we have the tools to provide structure, not just affection.
If you're even considering dog training, stop searching. Dallas is the real deal. He saved our little family.
— Heather and Zach Holder with Remy & Charlie
“My dog is driving me crazy”
“I don’t have guests come over anymore because of my dog”
“I wish I could do that with my dog”
You’re at your wits’ end. You’ve tried treats, every training tool, maybe even medication, and nothing’s changed. You’re ready to do the work, anything that will improve your life with your dog. Sound familiar?
Dogs learn from every interaction. They’re constantly “downloading” information. How you move, what you reinforce, how you respond under stress. If you want different behavior, the first person who must change is the handler. That’s where Better You Dog Training comes in.
Why choose Better You Dog Training?
We teach the foundation, not quick fixes. Treats and training tools can help, but without a reliable foundation in dog psychology and consistent handling skills, improvements won’t last. We focus on the skills and mindset you need to produce sustainable change.
Training that’s tailored to your life. We assess how you and your dog actually interact in your home and daily routines, then build a plan that fits your schedule, abilities, and goals. Knowledge you can use immediately and consistently.
Practical, hands on coaching. You’ll get clear, step by step instruction and in the moment feedback so you can change how you communicate with your dog when it matters.
Behavior modification with measurable progress. For reactive dogs, resource guarding, leash aggression, or separation issues, we create structured, evidence based programs that reduce stress for everyone and build real, lasting results.
Multiple service options. In home lessons, day training, and board and train programs let you choose the level of support you need while staying focused.
You become the solution. Our ultimate goal is to make you confident, consistent, and capable, so your dog responds because you’ve changed how you lead and communicate, not because of a temporary trick.
If you’re done trying short term fixes and ready to invest in a reliable foundation, Better You Dog Training will teach you the principles and mechanics that make lasting change possible. You don’t need better treats or more tools, you need a strong foundation, consistent application, and coaching that helps you become a better you.