About Amanda Lunsford, CBCC-KA
Dog Behavior Consultant | Jacksonville, FL
Specializing in fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, and multi-dog conflict
Who I am
Hi, I’m Amanda Lunsford. I’m a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) based in Jacksonville, FL. For over five years, my entire caseload has focused on dogs who display behavior concerns involving fear, reactivity, anxiety, aggression, and multi-dog household conflict.
That kind of specialization means I spend a lot of time studying how stress, environment, and history show up in real dogs living real lives.
My philosophy
Every dog has a story
I believe that every dog’s behavior tells a story. A single observation might be a fluke. A second could be a coincidence. However, once we see a behavior three times, we have a pattern. A valuable piece of information that reveals exactly how your dog perceives their environment.
The human side matters too
Successful behavior modification isn’t just about the dog. It’s about supporting the entire family. Your stress matters just as much as your dog’s. This is why finding solutions that fit your unique bandwidth is vital. I build solutions for the calm moments and the ruff days..
What shaped my approach
I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors: Dr. Jim Crosby (aggression and bite cases), Dr. Amy Cook (Play Way), Simone Mueller (predation), Suzanne Clothier (relationship-centered), Dr. Temple Grandin (observation), Dr. Ian Dunbar (family-friendly solutions).
Outside behavior science: Austin Kleon on creativity in plan design.
My approach
Humane hierarchy
Clear phases
Safety
Reduce risk and stress for everyone in the home
Skill building
Practical techniques you can actually use when things get hard
Maintenance
Progress as life changes: new schedules, kids, moves, health
Experience
Aggression and reactivity
Fear-based aggression, frustration reactivity, bite history, resource guarding. Safety-first approach.
Multi-dog household
Figuring out what’s driving tension and building realistic management plans.
Group classes and workshops
Puppies, manners, reactive dogs. Safety and defensive handling for professionals.
Veterinary collaboration
Close partnership on cases involving pain, medication, or co-occurring concerns.
Continuing education
Staying current isn’t optional. Behavior science evolves, and I keep learning from the best.
2025
2024
2022
2021
The Resilient Dog Workshop – Dr. Melanie Uhde, Michael Ellis
Animal Behavior Conference – IAABC Foundation
Forensics of Aggression – Jim Crosby
Play Way! for Aggression Cases Dr. Amy Cook
Aggression in Dogs Workshop – Michael Shikashio
Aggression in Dogs Conference
Aggressive Dogs Master Course
Recognizing Pain in Dogs – Dr. Debbie Torraca
Navigating Difficult Conversations – Dr. Chris Pachel
+ 6 more courses (2020-2021). Full list linked on each course name.
For veterinary partners
If you’re a veterinarian looking for a behavior consultant to collaborate with, here’s what you can expect:
- Clear, timely communication about shared cases
- Respect for your medical expertise and treatment plans
- Behavioral observations formatted for clinical decision-making
- No medical recommendations or medication adjustments
amanda@rufftoreadydogs.com · (904) 201-9787
For fellow professionals
If you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, or other pet professional, I’m happy to connect. Whether you’re looking for someone to refer complex cases to, want to talk through a tough case, or are interested in defensive handling training.
Reach out anytime
Ready to get started?
You don’t have to keep managing this alone. Let’s talk about your dog, your goals, and what a realistic path forward looks like.