Lisa O'Brien
Lisa O'Brien is the owner of Cerberus Dog Training Services. She started down her adult career path as an artist. Over time, she became more serious about her love of animals, and entered the veterinary field. When one of her dogs developed reactivity issues at a young age, Lisa stumbled through different training methods until she found a reward-based trainer. The results from positive reinforcement behavior modification were wonderful and the experience opened her eyes to a new way to help animals. Lisa eventually left the veterinary field to pursue dog training full-time, and completed the requirements to become a certified dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy.
Training Philosophy
Cerberus Dog Training Services strives to create a lifelong, positive, strong, healthy bond between you and your dog. Comfort, trust, and love are our priorities. We know that no person or dog is perfect; our goal is to work with the dogs we have, including their unique personalities or quirks, to help them navigate the human world - and to help ensure you enjoy your one-of-a-kind canine companion!
Services
- Initial 90-minute consult: $125
- Initial consult + 2 one-hour visits: $295
- Initial consult + 5 one-hour visits: $495
- *For travel over 30 minutes from Bethlehem, an additional $20 charge will be added to the total cost of the training package.
Stress-free Vet Visits
Un-scarify the dogtor
Help your dog accept medical visits without fear! Teach your dog to accept handling, light restraint, and medical equipment. Each session is tailored to your dog, focusing on handling touch, medical equipment, and calm behavior in an exam setting.
Behavior Concerns
If your dog is nervous, fearful, or showing signs of aggression toward other animals or people, call for a consultation to determine what is causing your dog's behavior.
Freedom Harnesses
Enjoyable Walks
Humane and effective walking tools - we are an official 2 Hounds Design retailer. Get your dog fitted for a walking harness in person or purchase online through our store!
Loungewear
It's fashion
Fill their closets (and yours!) Visit our store!
Certifications
- Karen Pryor Academy, KPA-CTP, Certification# 78235
- CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, CCDT
Specializations
We specialize in "underdogs" - dogs who may need a little extra TLC to find their way in the world - but we love every dog, from the couch potato to the Zoomies Expert! Chihuahua? Yes! Rottweiler? Yes! Golden Retriever? Yes! Pit Bull? Of course! Happy Mutt? We've got you covered! We also focus on cooperative care - the process of helping dogs accept veterinary care and grooming procedures.
Training Methods
Positive reinforcement, force-free techniques
Customer Reviews
Very knowledgeable and passionate about dog training. Sessions were thorough, detailed, and personalized to my animals' needs. Absolutely recommend! A+
The training themselves were very specific to our dogs' needs, and she adjusted them as necessary after listening to our experiences during the training processes. Lisa sends detailed emails and occasionally videos after sessions for you to work through lessons with your dog. We also received texts from her checking in on our progress and asking if we had questions.
Lisa got to know them individually and tailored each training to align with their breed instincts to “guard” the family. We have a much better understanding of why they react the way they do to certain situations and are able to anticipate their reactions and plan for lower-stress meetings.
I have a very reactive 3-year-old French bulldog who barks at everything, and a rambunctious 9-month-old French bulldog who would not even lay down prior to his training. After 5 sessions I, as well as other people in the pups' life, have seen such a big difference in both of their daily behaviors. They're much more calm, they listen better, and they have learned some very useful behaviors such as place, touch, leave it, etc. My reactive one is becoming less and less reactive with every session. It is also great how although our sessions are over, lines of communication with Lisa, the trainer, stay open.
Lisa is especially exceptional at tailoring plans to each dog's needs and personalities. She doesn't just focus on surface-level skills but on building an underlying foundation of calm and confidence. She's incredibly attentive, patient, and creative. She uses a wonderful combination of positive reinforcement, play, scent work, touch, and games. Our dogs can't wait to see her every time and neither can we!
Lisa's training is not a cookie-cutter type, her plans are unique for each individual puppy. She is able to see what our dog's needs are and gives us a detailed plan on how she will help to correct his issues.
Her knowledge of dog training is evident in every session and has helped our dog with reactivity on the leash, reacting at people coming into our home, and prepping our dog for new members of our family :)
Social Media Links
TikTok: @lisaomy_cerberusdogs
Media Appearances
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
