We work with families who are looking for a life with their dog that feels stable, calm, and more connected—not just obedience tricks.
Our approach is hands-on, thoughtful, and grounded in real life, because meaningful change comes from clarity, trust, and consistent guidance, not “quick fixes”.
Our Point of View
Most dog training focuses on surface-level behaviors: sit, stay, don’t pull. When those skills don’t translate into daily life, it’s really frustrating—the dog seems to be a problem and/or owners feel that they’ve failed.
We’ve found the opposite is usually true. The challenges that make life feel chaotic are almost always rooted in how dogs experience the world, how they learn, and the way we interact with them.
Our Approach
We look at the whole system a dog lives in: their stress, learning style, environment, and relationships.
Training is not about compliance alone—it’s about building clarity, trust, and a predictable, calm daily experience.
Depending on the dog, this might be private in-home work, or immersive, residential training where your dog stays with us for a set period of time while learning unfolds naturally.
Who This Work Is For
Our work is for people who are willing to slow down, ask meaningful questions, and participate actively in change.
It’s not for those looking for a quick fix, a guarantee, or a hands-off solution.
About Us
We’re Francisco and Amia, a husband-and-wife team based in Northfield Vermont.
We’ve spent years working with dogs whose behavior doesn’t fit neatly into traditional training models—and with people who want more than surface-level solutions.
Why We Do This Work
We do this work because we’ve seen what changes when dogs are understood rather than managed—and when people are supported rather than instructed.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, in-depth work that changes how daily life feels with your dog, we may be a good fit.
Apply to work with us.
“Francisco and Amia approach each dog with compassion and an individualized plan. They educate dog and human alike. As someone who works a lot with dogs with unknown pasts and plenty of baggage, it’s refreshing to see a pair of people so dedicated to the “underdogs”. Cervantes Dog Training has and will continue to save lives!”
-Meghan Burrows, Burlington, Vermont
“Before training with Francisco and Amia, our dog Tilly had significant anxiety issues and serious reactivity to other dogs and cars. Since working to develop a solid foundation of rituals to ease her anxiety, we have been able to eliminate Tilly’s issues and were confidently able to introduce a new puppy. We could never have done this without the insight and support of the Cervantes training team and we are forever grateful to them.”
- Ben Schweitzer, Bethel, Vermont
