Erika Lessa

Erika Lessa has been helping pet parents live quality lives with their dogs through education and coaching as a certified behavior technologist and consultant for over 10 years. In addition to many mentorships, workshops and conferences, she completed a diploma course in Dog Behavior Science and Technology at the Companion Animal Sciences Institute with James O’Heare, culminating with a certification as a Dog Behavior Technologist (CDBT) from the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. She is also certified by several other professional bodies including the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (CDBC), Council of Certification for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA) and is Fear-Free certified. Specialties include behavior analysis in the areas of fear, anxiety, stress and aggression with focuses on rehoming transition, multiple dog homes, and a-typical puppies.

She lives in MA with her husband and three of the coolest rescue dogs whom she can’t imagine life without.

Recent Articles

Why Do Dogs Put Their Paws On People?

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

Why Does My Dog Paw at Me? Dogs use their paws for many behaviors. They can tap, pat, pounce, whack, push, and even hit us with them. So, what does this mean? Why do our dogs put their paws on us? Dog...

Do Dogs Have a Sense of Time?

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

If your pup has the habit of barking in front of their food bowl or circling you when it’s getting close to their dinner time, you may wonder whether they have a sense of time. The short answer is yes,...

8 Surprising Things Your Dog Can Sense

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

Dogs experience the world differently from their human counterparts. They have heightened physical senses and are aware of things we aren’t. Dogs can detect emotion, physiological changes (changes in the...

How To Train a Dog With Positive Reinforcement

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

What Is Positive Reinforcement?You may have heard the term “positive reinforcement” and possibly some descriptions of what it means. The term actually has two meanings: It is a process that helps dogs...

Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tail?

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

Pet parents often tell stories about their dog spinning wildly, trying to grab their tail as it whooshes by. But while a dog chasing their tail is entertaining to humans, in many contexts it may be misunderstood....

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

Erika Lessa, CBST, CDBT, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Fear-Free Certified

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?There are few people who can hold back their adoring reactions when they come upon a dog that tilts their head in response to hearing their voice. The head tilt creates an...