Dog Training and Behavior Support in Santa Barbara, Nearby Communities, and Online

Welcome to The Inquisitive Canine, where curiosity, science, and practical dog training come together. Whether you’re navigating everyday training challenges or more complex behavior concerns, I’ll help you better understand what your dog is doing, why it may be happening, and what you can do next.

Together, we’ll develop humane, achievable strategies that make sense for you, your dog, and the life you share.

Private Dog Training and Behavior Consulting

Real-Life Support for Real-Life Dog Challenges

Dogs are individuals. The people who live with them are, too. That means there is no single training plan—or training recipe—that works for everyone.

I provide individualized dog training and behavior consulting for everything from puppies and everyday manners to more complex behavioral concerns such as aggression, fear, and separation anxiety. Together, we’ll identify what’s happening, determine what will best support your dog, and develop practical strategies you can use in everyday life.

Training is available in person in Santa Barbara and nearby communities, including Montecito, Goleta, Summerland, and Carpinteria, as well as online.

Pet Loss and Grief Support

Honoring the Bond You Share with Your Animal Companion

Grief following the death of a beloved animal can be profound, and it deserves to be acknowledged with compassion and without judgment.

I offer non-clinical pet loss and grief support for people experiencing anticipatory grief, the death of an animal companion, and the many changes that can follow. Our time together provides space to talk, reflect, honor your relationship, and find ways to move forward while continuing the bond you share.

K9 Nose Work® Classes

Let Your Dog Put That Amazing Nose to Work

K9 Nose Work® is a fun, enriching activity inspired by professional scent detection work and designed for dogs of all kinds. Dogs learn to search independently using one of their most powerful natural abilities—their sense of smell.

Along the way, humans get to learn more about their dogs, too.

Meet Joan

Professional Experience. Scientific Curiosity. A Genuine Love of Dogs and Their People.

I’m Joan Hunter Mayer, founder of The Inquisitive Canine and a certified professional dog trainer, canine behavior consultant, and human-canine relationship coach.

Since 2005, I’ve helped dogs and their humans better understand one another through humane, evidence-based training grounded in the science of learning and behavior. I treat every dog as an individual and extend that same respect to the people who love them.

My work is guided by curiosity rather than judgment. Instead of simply asking, How do we stop this behavior? I also want to know: Why is it happening? What has your dog learned? What might your dog need? And what can we teach instead?

Because being inquisitive and asking better questions often lead to better answers—and better relationships.

Doggy Blog

Wondering why your dog does what they do—or looking for practical training ideas you can use at home? The Doggy Blog explores dog behavior, learning, training, enrichment, the human-canine bond, and plenty of other subjects for inquisitive dog people.

Have questions?

Wondering how I work, what to expect, or whether The Inquisitive Canine might be a good fit for you and your dog? I’ve gathered answers to some of the questions I hear most often.

Inquisitive About Your Dog?

Tell me a little about what’s going on and what you’d like help with. We can talk about your goals, your dog, and which training option makes the most sense for you both.