About Giancarla

Your Canine behavior resource

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Animals are my teachers. They have guided me to a place within my heart where my soul resides. I have an extra special connection with canines – wolves, coyotes, foxes, dogs. Something about them has always evoked curiosity and respect. I feel called to protect them, to give them greater peace and choice in a world that has become both obsessed with them and in desperate need of them at the same time.

While I have cared for my own dogs since I was 15, my ability to work with dogs became clear when I joined Chesapeake Search Dogs in 2013. Seeing firsthand what they can do with their keen sense of smell to assist in the recovery of lost and missing persons blew me away. They are eager to work, tireless, yet they carry a sense of peace with them I don’t see very often. The relationships working dogs have with their handlers is remarkable and it is all based on the fact that the dogs and their handlers spend a lot of time learning to communicate with and read each other inside and out. Many of these dogs were “rejects” or considered too high energy for typical households yet here they were, choosing not to chase a pack of deer, working obediently off-leash in search of human scent. Peace of mind comes from experiencing a life full of joy, of having a sense of security and an ability to express yourself.

As my experience and knowledge matured, so did my relationship with dogs. I have three dogs of my own, two of them search dogs, who all came from rescue agencies. Each one, unique in their own way, has given me deeper insight into the canine mind. Each one with similar needs but different ways of communicating and expressing themselves. Each one with so much love to give, especially when I keep my promise to them as their guardian and provide them with the attention, training and choices that are so essential for them to thrive.

Formally assisting others with their pups began in 2018 with a friend looking for advice for her small but fiercely reactive puppy. I was able to help them vastly improve their relationship in just a few visits! I enjoyed the consults so much that I began studying and putting in the required hours to officially become a certified dog behaviorist. I have continued to assist others with their dogs since then and invite you to check out what it’s like to work with me.

training & Qualifications