About Amanda Lunsford, CBCC-KA
Amanda Lunsford, CBCC-KA, is a certified canine behavior consultant serving Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra, and the greater Northeast Florida area. The CBCC-KA is the highest behavior certification available through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
This practice specializes in fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, and multi-dog conflict. If you are looking for obedience classes, puppy training, or protection work, this is not the right fit. If your dog is struggling and nothing else has worked, you are in the right place.
We Specialize in Complex Dog Behavior Issues
- We talk and review everything. Dog behavior doesn’t exist in a bubble, so I need to peel back the layers to find root causes that show up in everyday life.
- I’ll spend time with your dog on their terms, figuring out which techniques are the best fit for you and your dog, realistically.
- We wrap up with a clear picture of what I’m seeing, initial recommendations to lessen safety risk and stress, and discuss next steps.
After the session, you’ll get a written summary of everything we uncovered, plus a homework plan. Then we’ll schedule a 30-minute follow-up call to make sure what we landed on is actually working.
$250 credited toward The Ready Program within 30 days.
Success Stories
Tracy shansky
3 weeks ago
We worked with Amanda on our resource guarded 2 year old coonhound. We are so lucky to have found her. Just when we thought we’d have to rehome our boy, Amanda came in like Superwoman and fixed our world. Our dog has become a different dog (for the absolute best) and we are so thankful. You will not regret working with Amanda.
Shawna M
5 months ago
We hired Amanda when we found out we were expecting in order to help us prepare our German Shepard/Malinois mix for the arrival of our first child. We worked with several trainers before with our current dog and previous GSD, but Amanda has an uncanny ability to figure out exactly what your dog’s trigger is in order to remedy it. She can do what most trainers can’t. Amanda worked with us extensively to ensure our pup would be ready and well adjusted for the chaos a new born brings as well as new visitors to the home.
Our new born has now arrived and our pup has settled into his new life very well, largely thanks to Amanda’s coaching and preparation. We are greatly appreciative and would recommend Amanda to anyone looking for support with their pup.
Our new born has now arrived and our pup has settled into his new life very well, largely thanks to Amanda’s coaching and preparation. We are greatly appreciative and would recommend Amanda to anyone looking for support with their pup.
Mary Harvey
12 months ago
This is my Bella. She is my 6th lab and my most challenging by far. When I adopted Bella she was 2 and lived with an elderly woman who didn’t want her. She wasn’t mistreated but she had very limited contact with humans and was starved for attention. She was very shy and apprehensive.
That’s when a friend who has lots of experience raising dogs said I should call Amanda at Ruff to Ready. Great advice!!
When we meet Amanda, Bella was a bundle of nerves, afraid of everything. Hated getting in the car. Impossible to take to groomer or vet. Didn’t want to go out for walks. But did like to break out of backyard fence and run away (lucky she always came back)
Amanda didn’t let any of this phase her. She started right in showing me all the signs that Bella was a “fearful” dog and how to start making her less fearful with exercises and naps and special routines. Consistency was key, I learned. Amanda was PATIENT I also learned.
Finally, after Amanda suggested it several times, I was convinced to try mood stabilizing drugs for Bella. The doctor recommended Prozac. Just 2 weeks later Bella was a different dog!! She loves people, wants to be petted, enjoys walks and dances when I get her harness and leash. She isn’t fearful anymore.
I believe this transformation is because of the hard work and expertise of Amanda Lunsford. Bella and I would not be here and happy as we are without Amanda’s support and understanding. We are truly grateful for Amanda and recommend her whenever we have the chance.
That’s when a friend who has lots of experience raising dogs said I should call Amanda at Ruff to Ready. Great advice!!
When we meet Amanda, Bella was a bundle of nerves, afraid of everything. Hated getting in the car. Impossible to take to groomer or vet. Didn’t want to go out for walks. But did like to break out of backyard fence and run away (lucky she always came back)
Amanda didn’t let any of this phase her. She started right in showing me all the signs that Bella was a “fearful” dog and how to start making her less fearful with exercises and naps and special routines. Consistency was key, I learned. Amanda was PATIENT I also learned.
Finally, after Amanda suggested it several times, I was convinced to try mood stabilizing drugs for Bella. The doctor recommended Prozac. Just 2 weeks later Bella was a different dog!! She loves people, wants to be petted, enjoys walks and dances when I get her harness and leash. She isn’t fearful anymore.
I believe this transformation is because of the hard work and expertise of Amanda Lunsford. Bella and I would not be here and happy as we are without Amanda’s support and understanding. We are truly grateful for Amanda and recommend her whenever we have the chance.
Susan Doris
1 year ago
Amanda changed our dogs life and ours too! She taught all of us valuable skills and particularly helped us read non verbal signs from our dog. Lizzie was extremely fearful and anxious when we first started and now she is a new dog, we can take her places like Southern Grounds and enjoy our time together. Can't say enough about how thankful we are to Amanda.
Nicole Toothaker
1 year ago
Amanda is great and so patient. We have two rescue dogs from a hoarding situation that have a lot of different anxiety. I really appreciated how much time and care she put into their behavior plan. - customizing it to tailor to our lifestyle, the dogs needs and how they were reacting to the training. She also worked with our vet to help us get them on anxiety medicine. She cares a lot and it definitely shows!
Dr. Ed Garbin
1 year ago
We have two Australian Shepherd littermates, boy and girl, who came into our lives with more energy and intensity than we ever could’ve imagined. Within weeks, it was clear we were in over our heads. They were non-stop: barking, wrecking-ball style wrestling, destructive, impossible to manage. We were told this was “normal Aussie behavior,” and a previous trainer even gave us shock collars and basically told us to brace ourselves.
Then we met Amanda.
Amanda brought experience, empathy, and a smart, clear plan. No gimmicks. No shame. Just a thoughtful, well-structured approach tailored to our dogs and our life. She helped us shift from just surviving to actually enjoying our dogs. The chaos turned into calm. We can now work from home without constant disruption, and our home feels like a place of peace again—something we couldn’t imagine just a few months ago.
These dogs were on a fast track to becoming a lifelong problem. Amanda changed their trajectory—and ours.
If you’re struggling, don’t wait. Amanda at Ruff to Ready is the best decision we made. She is an absolute expert, a professional, and a genuinely kind person who loves our dogs like they are her own.
Then we met Amanda.
Amanda brought experience, empathy, and a smart, clear plan. No gimmicks. No shame. Just a thoughtful, well-structured approach tailored to our dogs and our life. She helped us shift from just surviving to actually enjoying our dogs. The chaos turned into calm. We can now work from home without constant disruption, and our home feels like a place of peace again—something we couldn’t imagine just a few months ago.
These dogs were on a fast track to becoming a lifelong problem. Amanda changed their trajectory—and ours.
If you’re struggling, don’t wait. Amanda at Ruff to Ready is the best decision we made. She is an absolute expert, a professional, and a genuinely kind person who loves our dogs like they are her own.
Lauren Rauch
1 year ago
Amanda at Ruff to Ready is a miracle worker.
My husband and I have two Australian Shepherd siblings—Luna and Loki—who were, frankly, a nightmare when we brought them home as puppies. “High energy” doesn’t begin to cover it. We both work demanding jobs from home and have two busy teenagers, so chaos doesn’t even scratch the surface of what life felt like.
Before finding Amanda, we hired another trainer who handed us shock collars and a series of frankly ridiculous recommendations. Things didn’t improve, and we were even told we might need to re-home one of our dogs because it “realistically wouldn’t get better.”
Then we found Amanda Lunsford of Ruff to Ready. And everything changed.
Amanda is calm, incredibly knowledgeable, and truly cares. She took the time to understand our pups and us as a family. Her methods are smart, positive, and actually work. Thanks to Amanda, our home is peaceful, the dogs are affectionate and (mostly!) well-behaved, and we’re finally enjoying them the way we hoped we would when we brought them home.
Amanda didn’t just train our dogs—she saved our sanity and kept our family together. We are beyond grateful and cannot recommend her highly enough. If you're at your wits' end with your pup, call Amanda. You can get to the other side of the chaos—and she’ll get you there.
My husband and I have two Australian Shepherd siblings—Luna and Loki—who were, frankly, a nightmare when we brought them home as puppies. “High energy” doesn’t begin to cover it. We both work demanding jobs from home and have two busy teenagers, so chaos doesn’t even scratch the surface of what life felt like.
Before finding Amanda, we hired another trainer who handed us shock collars and a series of frankly ridiculous recommendations. Things didn’t improve, and we were even told we might need to re-home one of our dogs because it “realistically wouldn’t get better.”
Then we found Amanda Lunsford of Ruff to Ready. And everything changed.
Amanda is calm, incredibly knowledgeable, and truly cares. She took the time to understand our pups and us as a family. Her methods are smart, positive, and actually work. Thanks to Amanda, our home is peaceful, the dogs are affectionate and (mostly!) well-behaved, and we’re finally enjoying them the way we hoped we would when we brought them home.
Amanda didn’t just train our dogs—she saved our sanity and kept our family together. We are beyond grateful and cannot recommend her highly enough. If you're at your wits' end with your pup, call Amanda. You can get to the other side of the chaos—and she’ll get you there.
Mikesha Spivey
1 year ago
Amanda is extremely knowledgeable on dog behavior and taught me how to read my dog’s body language. I have seen progress in my pup’s behavior already after 1 session. Very friendly and patient too.
Joan Horn
2 years ago
We love Amanda!!! We have 5 dogs, all of them old. Some were not behaving very well. We needed help with bark control and listening to commands. Amanda came on board and got us all moving in the right direction. She trains the owners, as well as the dogs, in a positive reinforcement environment. The barking is under control. The pack is listening better than ever. Amanda is the best!!!
Carlene Taylor
2 years ago
Amanda is an amazing animal communicator. She is a trainer, yes, but she is first and foremost a teacher. She is patient, non-judgemental and insightful about the subtle and overt issues that impact my very sensitive dogs world. So grateful for her guidance. The Portuguese Water Dog is Both a brilliant and sensitive working breed. She held me learn his language and work through my issues in being the pet parent he needs me to be.
Leah Smith
3 years ago
Amanda helped us so much with our overly protective dog. She is very knowledgeable in her work and definitely works some miracles! I would recommend anyone who needs help with their pup to come see Amanda!
Julie Schuneman
3 years ago
Amanda has a thorough knowledge of the sources of canine reactivity and understands that there are a myriad of dimensions to the discussion. She's totally positive, and all recommendations are for positive reinforcement, nothing negative!
Nicky Grove
3 years ago
Amanda saved our dog and our sanity!
Our (then 8 month old) puppy nipped at a neighbor unexpectedly and broke the skin. We were upset, confused and worried about his future.
A friend recommended Amanda to us so we reached out.
We had an initial consult where Amanda observed our dog and his behavior. She immediately picked up on the fact that he was scared/nervous of anything outside of us/our house. Something we never even considered.
Amanda was extremely knowledgeable, patient, explained everything so well and gave us homework to work with our pup, Harry, between appointments. The improvement in him even after just the first two weeks was incredible!
It's only been a few months but Harry's behavior is night and day. He was initially terrified of my best friend but now loves when she visits. Harry is going from strength to strength and improving all the time.
We can walk around the neighborhood without him barking at everyone and he doesn't react at all.
We highly recommend Amanda, and are forever grateful for her help.
Our (then 8 month old) puppy nipped at a neighbor unexpectedly and broke the skin. We were upset, confused and worried about his future.
A friend recommended Amanda to us so we reached out.
We had an initial consult where Amanda observed our dog and his behavior. She immediately picked up on the fact that he was scared/nervous of anything outside of us/our house. Something we never even considered.
Amanda was extremely knowledgeable, patient, explained everything so well and gave us homework to work with our pup, Harry, between appointments. The improvement in him even after just the first two weeks was incredible!
It's only been a few months but Harry's behavior is night and day. He was initially terrified of my best friend but now loves when she visits. Harry is going from strength to strength and improving all the time.
We can walk around the neighborhood without him barking at everyone and he doesn't react at all.
We highly recommend Amanda, and are forever grateful for her help.
Elizabeth Bready
3 years ago
Amanda was amazing with our 122 pound American Bully we rescued! He didn’t understand his size, was really rough, hard headed and was starting to make our other dogs feel very insecure. Amanda showed us how to work with him and walked us through each step to establish his new routine. It took two sessions and consistent work on our part and now our boy is doing great and meshing well with our others. It’s been 8 months since our first training session and we still implement the things she has taught us. She was professional, fun, communicated clearly and very knowledgeable. I recommend her to so many people and will continue to do so!
The Jacksonville Alternative to Board & Train Programs
How It Works – Super Simple!
We Train While You Work 📍
I come to your home during the day and work with your dog on their specific issues. You get updates and videos sent to your phone so you know exactly what’s happening.
We Teach You the Skills 🤝
Through evening/weekend sessions, you learn the exact techniques that work for YOUR dog. No guessing – you become confident handling any situation.
The Result: Your dog improves AND you know how to keep them successful for life.
- Phase One: Foundation
- I work directly with your dog two to three times per week. You don’t have to be home. You’ll receive weekly video updates and homework so you always know what’s happening and why.
- Phase Two: Owner Coaching
- I teach you. Weekly sessions where you learn to read your dog’s specific body language patterns, apply the protocols, and build real confidence working with your dog.
- Phase Three: Guided Practice
- You lead. I coach from the sidelines every two to four weeks as you take the skills into real life and build your independence.
- Phase Four: Sustainability
- Long-term check-ins every six to eight weeks to keep things on track through life changes, seasonal shifts, and whatever comes next.
Previous session fees credit toward your total. Four monthly installment payments with no interest.
Serving dog owners in Jacksonville, North St. Johns County, Ponte Vedra, Fleming Island, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Call me at (904) 201-9787. I’m happy to chat!