The First Week Is Everything
You just brought a dog home. They're confused, you're overwhelmed, and everyone's telling you different things. I help you through the part that matters most — the beginning.
How I Can Help
Decompression Walk
$35The first walk after adoption sets the tone. I come to you, we go together, and I help you read what your new dog is actually telling you. Are they overwhelmed? Shutting down? Overstimulated? Most "problem behavior" in the first week is just stress — I'll help you tell the difference.
- 45–60 minute walk at your pace
- Body language and stress signal coaching in real time
- Sniff walk approach — let the dog process, don't force interaction
- Q&A during and after the walk
Settling-In Visit
$45I come to your home within the first few days and help you set up for success. Kennel setup, potty schedule, feeding routine, management strategies for common first-week challenges. I don't train your dog — I help you understand what they need right now, which is usually structure, patience, and a lot of grace.
- 60–90 minute home visit
- Space setup review (kennel placement, safe zones, dog-proofing)
- Schedule building (potty, feed, sleep, walk)
- Troubleshooting: not eating, leash pulling, kennel anxiety, won't settle
- Written follow-up with personalized notes
Two-Week Check-In
$40Most adopters hit a wall around week two. The honeymoon fades, the dog's real personality emerges, and things that weren't problems suddenly are. This is normal — and it's exactly when people start second-guessing. A single visit at this point has saved more adoptions than anything else I've seen.
- 45–60 minute visit
- Progress check: what's working, what isn't
- Adjustments to routine or management
- "Is this normal?" reality check — most things are
First Week Package
Everything you need to get through the hardest week with confidence. One visit per day for the first three days, plus a two-week check-in.
- Day 1: Settling-In Visit
- Day 2: Decompression Walk
- Day 3: Follow-Up Visit
- Week 2: Two-Week Check-In
- Text support between visits
- Written personalized notes after each visit
Who's Showing Up at Your Door
I'm Alyssa. I walk dogs at a local shelter every week — the ones who've been there the longest, the ones nobody wants to take out, the ones who need someone to see past their kennel behavior to who they actually are. I've helped hundreds of dogs decompress, settle in, and show their real selves. I know what stressed dogs look like because I see it every week.
📚 What I've Studied
Jean Donaldson's The Culture Clash, Turid Rugaas's Calming Signals, Patricia McConnell's The Other End of the Leash, and more. I read the books, then I go test them on dogs who need the help most.
🏠 What I've Seen
Dogs who won't eat for three days after adoption. Dogs who pace all night. Dogs who seem fine at the shelter then fall apart at home. It's not a bad fit — it's decompression. I've been through it with them enough times to know what works.
❤️ My Approach
Force-free, positive reinforcement, judgment-free. I'm not going to tell you you're doing it wrong. I'm going to help you understand what your dog is asking for, because they are asking — we just have to learn their language.
📍 Service Area
Louisville metro area and surrounding communities. If you're within 30 minutes of the city, I can get to you. Further out? Reach out and we'll figure it out.
Questions People Ask
Is this training?
No. This is transition support — helping you and your dog through the hardest part of a new life together. I'm not teaching sit and stay. I'm helping you read your dog, set up your home, and build a routine that works for both of you. If you need a trainer later, I'll help you find one whose methods I trust.
My dog is acting weird and I'm worried. Is that normal?
Almost certainly yes. Not eating, pacing, hiding, having accidents in the house, being clingy, being aloof — all normal in the first two weeks. The rule of thumb is 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn your routine, 3 months to feel at home. Most "problems" in the first week resolve themselves with patience and structure. I'll help you know which ones will and which ones won't.
Do you only work with shelter dogs?
My experience is with shelter dogs, and that's where this service started. But any newly adopted dog goes through the same transition — whether they came from a shelter, a rescue, or a breeder. If you just brought a dog home and need help, reach out.
Can I just text you a question instead of booking a visit?
If you booked a First Week Package, yes — text support between visits is included. Otherwise, I need to see your dog and your setup to give advice I'm confident in. Every situation is different, and I don't want to guess at something important over text.
What if it's not working out?
Then we talk about it honestly. Sometimes a dog and a home aren't the right match, and that's not anyone's fault. I'd rather help you make a thoughtful decision than see you struggle alone until returning the dog feels like the only option. There's no shame in asking for help — that's literally why this service exists.
Let's Get Your Dog Settled
Tell me a little about you and your new dog, and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
🎉 Message Sent!
Thanks for reaching out. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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