The Inquisitive Canine - In-Home and Online Training - Santa Barbara, CA
Hello, inquisitive pet parents! My name is Joan Hunter Mayer and I am the founder and owner of The Inquisitive Canine. In 2005, with the mission of enhancing the human-canine bond by providing humane, proven, customized services for dogs and those who love them, I founded my Santa Barbara-based dog training business, The Inquisitive Canine. My goal, as a certified dog trainer and professional canine behavior consultant, has been to create a business model where, in addition to training dogs, I spend time with my clients exploring their needs, their dogs’ needs, and their overall goals.
Working as a team with pet guardians in this way, I realized early on that this profession is more than training dogs — dogs don’t call me, their people do! Since then, I have affectionately referred to myself as a human-canine relationship coach.
Inspired by my nursing background and love of learning, I have found that rather than telling people what to do, it’s being inquisitive, brainstorming and problem-solving together that paves the way for lasting behavior change. This dynamic also fosters resilience for when challenges arise.
Cultivating these communication and motivational skills to be a better dog trainer and human-canine relationship coach led me to explore personal and professional coaching for people. Curiosity and enthusiasm drove me to pursue coaching credentials and certifications.
While training dogs is still super fun, today, as a certified coach with both the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC), I am excited to have the opportunity to also partner with people to help them achieve their own personal and professional aspirations.
Please contact and book me on Petworks. Thank You!
- Licensed
- Certified
- Insured
- Online Sessions
Pricing Packages
Virtual training packages are designed and customized to meet the needs and goals of you and your inquisitive canine.
Each training package includes:
4, 1 hour virtual training sessions (must be used within 8 weeks of signing up)
Customized 100% force-free dog training plans
Follow-up supplemental handouts
Training and coaching resources
Email support* (See below for details.)
*Email support included in packages is available during business hours (excluding holidays and weekends) for reviewing or clarifying previously covered information. If questions require a more in-depth response and/or there are new topics, an additional session will need to be arranged.
This one hour power session includes training, coaching, and consulting as we go over your needs and goals for living a harmonious life together.
How do you serve precious pets?
- Dog Trainer
- Puppy Trainer
- Dog Obedience Training
- Private Dog Training
- Dog Behaviorist
What training tools do you use?
- Back-clip Harness
- Barriers
- Clicker
- Front-clip Harness
- Leash
- Long Line
- Muzzle
- Praise/Affection
- Toys
- Treats
Which training type do you employ to encourage paw-sitive behaviors?
- Dog Obedience Training
- Dog Therapy Training
- Pet Behavior Modification
What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?
- Dogs
What licensing do you have?
- Business License
On a scale of snail to elephant, what size animals do you work with?
- 20-39 lbs
- 40-79 lbs
- 80+ lbs
- under 20 lbs
Pet Certifications
- APLB Certificate of Counselor Training
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
- Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC)
- Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
- Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
- David Kessler Certified Grief Educator
- Family Paws Parent Educator
- Fear Free Certified Professional
- Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)
Proud member of...
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
Do you offer mobile services?
- Yes
Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?
• Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled service will not receive a refund.
Education
MBA, FNP, CBCC-KA, CPDT, KA, CSAT, CNWI, PLGS
Which part of the country do you serve pets?
Online training via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Santa Barbara County, Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Simi Valley, Montecito, Port Hueneme California
What year did you begin serving pets?
2005
How did you hone your craft?
Years of education, continuing education, completion of certifications, and working with countless dogs and their parents, and community organizations.
What tip would you give pet parents for working with animals that you've learned as a pro?
Trust your dog!
What is one thing you want pet parents to know about you? It can be whatev-fur you'd like!
In addition to teaching your dog, I will provide you with the skills to teach and maintain the behaviors you want.
SERVICE AREA: Any distance, including Online training via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Santa Barbara County, Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Simi Valley, Montecito, Port Hueneme California
Distinction
Customer Reviews
Something that trainers lack these days is an affinity with the animals they train. Joan is not only an exemplary trainer, she enjoys working with the animals AND the owners, with a great sense of humor, and genuine friendliness. She knows her stuff, and animals love her. Joan has deep experience combined with an intelligence that makes me continue to use her services and recommend her to others.
- Christine DJoan is a great trainer and a great human. She's highly knowledgeable and sets you up to make training as approachable and clear as possible. What I appreciate most is her genuine respect for dogs and her intentionality behind using training as a way to enhance quality of life on both ends of the leash. It's clear that Joan prioritizes cultivating compassion in owners towards their dogs, not attempting to punish dogs for having big feelings, but rather helping owners understand and develop methods to work their dog through them and create harmony. If you're seeking a trainer that's both kind and understanding toward your dog but also means business, Joan is the way to go.
- Julia BThis is a compassionate lovely gentle extremely competent person. She is results oriented and gets it done. Our puppies loved her and we accomplished so much in her care. We highly recommend Inquisitive Canine.
- Sandy MHow do you serve precious pets?
- Dog Trainer
- Puppy Trainer
- Dog Obedience Training
- Private Dog Training
- Dog Behaviorist
What training tools do you use?
- Back-clip Harness
- Barriers
- Clicker
- Front-clip Harness
- Leash
- Long Line
- Muzzle
- Praise/Affection
- Toys
- Treats
Which training type do you employ to encourage paw-sitive behaviors?
- Dog Obedience Training
- Dog Therapy Training
- Pet Behavior Modification
What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?
- Dogs
What licensing do you have?
- Business License
On a scale of snail to elephant, what size animals do you work with?
- 20-39 lbs
- 40-79 lbs
- 80+ lbs
- under 20 lbs
Pet Certifications
- APLB Certificate of Counselor Training
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
- Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC)
- Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
- Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)
- David Kessler Certified Grief Educator
- Family Paws Parent Educator
- Fear Free Certified Professional
- Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)
Proud member of...
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
Do you offer mobile services?
- Yes
Cat-astrophes happen! What is your cancellation policy?
• Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled service will not receive a refund.
Education
MBA, FNP, CBCC-KA, CPDT, KA, CSAT, CNWI, PLGS
Which part of the country do you serve pets?
Online training via remote consultations on Petworks, and locally including Santa Barbara County, Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Goleta, Simi Valley, Montecito, Port Hueneme California
What year did you begin serving pets?
2005
How did you hone your craft?
Years of education, continuing education, completion of certifications, and working with countless dogs and their parents, and community organizations.
What tip would you give pet parents for working with animals that you've learned as a pro?
Trust your dog!
What is one thing you want pet parents to know about you? It can be whatev-fur you'd like!
In addition to teaching your dog, I will provide you with the skills to teach and maintain the behaviors you want.
Customer Reviews
Something that trainers lack these days is an affinity with the animals they train. Joan is not only an exemplary trainer, she enjoys working with the animals AND the owners, with a great sense of humor, and genuine friendliness. She knows her stuff, and animals love her. Joan has deep experience combined with an intelligence that makes me continue to use her services and recommend her to others.
- Christine DJoan is a great trainer and a great human. She's highly knowledgeable and sets you up to make training as approachable and clear as possible. What I appreciate most is her genuine respect for dogs and her intentionality behind using training as a way to enhance quality of life on both ends of the leash. It's clear that Joan prioritizes cultivating compassion in owners towards their dogs, not attempting to punish dogs for having big feelings, but rather helping owners understand and develop methods to work their dog through them and create harmony. If you're seeking a trainer that's both kind and understanding toward your dog but also means business, Joan is the way to go.
- Julia BThis is a compassionate lovely gentle extremely competent person. She is results oriented and gets it done. Our puppies loved her and we accomplished so much in her care. We highly recommend Inquisitive Canine.
- Sandy M🐾 About Joan Hunter Mayer – Expert Mobile Dog Trainer based in Santa Barbara, CA
Joan Hunter is a trusted professional dog trainer in Santa Barbara, CA, dedicated to helping dogs and their families build lasting, trusting relationships. With years of hands-on experience working with dogs of all sizes...from playful puppies to seasoned seniors, Joan Hunter Mayer uses positive, effective, science-informed techniques to make training enjoyable, rewarding, and results-driven for you and your dog.
🏙️ Personalized Training Right at Your Home
Living in a busy urban or suburban environment can bring unique challenges for dogs - distractions, new neighbors, and varying routines. Joan Hunter Mayer’s canine training services bring expert guidance directly to your door, providing flexible schedules, personalized attention, and safe, fun walks and training sessions for dogs of all energy levels.
🐶 Obedience & Manners – Teaching reliable commands and respectful behavior
📏 Leash & Walking Confidence – Ending pulling, lunging, and stress during walks
🧠 Behavior Modification – Addressing fear, anxiety, reactivity, or unwanted behaviors
🐾 Puppy Foundations - Socialization and good habit development from the start
❤️ Transforming Your Dog’s Life - and Yours
Training is about more than obedience. It’s about connection, trust, and confidence. When your dog understands expectations and communicates clearly, everyday life becomes calmer and more joyful. Imagine stress-free walks, confident greetings at home, and a deeper bond built on love, patience, and understanding. Joan Hunter Mayer is dedicated to helping you and your dog experience this transformation.
📘 Training Tools & Techniques
Joan Hunter Mayer uses customized, positive methods tailored to each dog’s needs:
🎯 Clicker or reward-based reinforcement
🦴 Treats, toys, and praise for motivation
🐾 Safe harnesses and leashes for structured practice
🧠 Behavior plans focused on sustainable, long-term results
These techniques strengthen good habits, reduce problem behaviors, and make training fun for your dog.
📌 Book a Session With Joan Hunter Mayer Today
Ready to see lasting results with your dog? Book a virtual or mobile dog training session with Joan Hunter Mayer in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles, Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Camarillo, San Buenaventura, Moorpark, Fillmore, CA at your convenience.
Whether you’re tackling basic obedience, leash issues, or more complex behavioral concerns, expert guidance is just a click away. Explore verified reviews, request quotes, and start your journey toward a happier, more harmonious life with your four-legged companion!
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