Educational and Experiential Background
I’m Amanda Lunsford, a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC‑KA). My work is grounded in humane, science‑based methods and ongoing education. For over 5 years, my caseload has focused on dogs with fear, reactivity, anxiety, aggression, and multi‑dog household issues, so I spend a lot of time studying how stress, environment, and learning history show up in real dogs living real lives.
My approach has been shaped by generous mentors and leaders in the field. I’m grateful for Dr. Jim Crosby’s mentorship, and I draw on ideas from Dr. Amy Cook’s Play Way, Simone Mueller’s work on predation, Suzanne Clothier’s relationship‑centered perspective, Dr. Temple Grandin’s emphasis on careful observation, and Dr. Ian Dunbar’s focus on practical, family‑friendly solutions. Outside of behavior science, I also learn from people like Austin Kleon, who remind me that creativity matter just as much as good protocols, especially when families are overwhelmed and need behavior plans that feel understandable and doable.
Certification and Credentials
- Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA), CCPDT
Awarded in 2021, I’m trained to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs, ensuring every interaction is as positive as possible. - AKC Evaluator
I evaluate dogs for the S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, and Urban Canine Good Citizen programs, helping families achieve their training goals.
Ongoing Education and Professional Development
- The Resilient Dog Workshop by Dr. Melanie Uhde and Michael Ellis (2025)
- Animal Behavior Conference by the IAABC Foundation (2024)
- The Forensics of Aggression: Working with and Evaluating Canine Aggression with Jim Crosby (2022)
- Play Way! for Aggression Cases with Dr. Amy Cook (2022)
- Aggression in Dogs Workshop & Defensive Handling Skills with Michael Shikashio, CDBC (2022)
- Aggression in Dogs Conference (2021 & 2022)
- Aggressive Dogs Master Course (2021)
- Using Enrichment to Treat Aggression with Emily Strong and Allie Bender (2021)
- Recognizing Pain in Dogs with Dr. Debbie Torraca (2021)
- Navigating Difficult Conversations: When Euthanasia for Behavior is a Consideration with Dr. Chris Pachel (2021)
- Beyond the Bite: Crucial Consulting Skills with Dr. Melanie Cerone (2021)
- Our Dog Bit Our Toddler! HELP! with Jennifer Shryock: Part 1 & 2 (2021)
- Livestock Guardian Dogs—What You Need to Know for Your Aggression Cases (2020)
- Dog Emotion and Cognition by Duke University (2020)
- Dog to Cat Aggression with Katenna Jones (2020)
Experience
With years of hands-on experience, I’ve worked with a wide variety of dogs and families, specializing in:
- Aggression and Reactivity:
Helping dogs with fear, anxiety, and bite history using the latest evidence-based techniques. - Group Classes:
Teaching group classes for puppies, manners, and reactive dogs, and leading safety and defensive handling workshops for professionals. - Client Support:
Providing compassionate, personalized guidance to help families navigate tough situations and achieve lasting results.
How Is My Approach Different?
Life is messy. Dogs are messy. Families are messy. I don’t expect you or your dog to fit into a perfect routine or a cookie-cutter training plan. Instead, I start by looking at what’s really happening in your home: how your dog handles stress and excitement, their overall stress level, environment, and history, alongside your actual lifestyle, limits, and goals.
I also work in clear phases so you always know where we are in the process. First, we reduce risk and stress for everyone in the home. Then, I coach you through practical techniques you can actually use when things get hard. Finally, we focus on helping you maintain progress as life inevitably changes like new schedules, kids, moves, health shifts, and more. My plans are rooted in modern behavior science and influenced by leaders in the field, but they are always custom to your dog, your household, and your bandwidth. The goal is not perfection; it’s a plan that feels realistic, kind, and sustainable instead of overwhelming.