Marcia Okabayashi Martin is a dog trainer and behavioral consultant who owns Marcia's Best Dogs.  Born and raised in Brazil, Marcia has a degree in Psychology.  Marcia first worked as a volunteer at the Guilford County Animal Shelter.  The shelter then hired her as a canine behavior evaluator.  Since 1999 she has given private lessons to owners on understanding, training and caring for their pets.  She also works with several animal welfare organizations: Humane Society of Piedmont, NC Boxer rescue, Pookies Rescue, Ruff Love Foster Care Dog Rescue,etc.  She has led seminars on canine care and continuously strives to increase her knowledge base by attending leading conferences on animal behavior and training.   

Appearances: News & Record, Fox 8, WXII 12 News, given seminars to local rescue groups, petstores, local vets offices.

I  got married in March 2006 and moved to Durham, NC. We had our first child in May 2007, sweet baby Wesley Matthew.

We are also proud parents of 2 rescue dogs, Bella and Star and a Jack Russel Terrier, Champ.

My territorry continues to expand with clients from Greensboro to Raleigh.

Marcia's Passion

I do in home training because I believe it is the best setting to work with your dog  and that is where most of the behavior problems occur . 

My goal is  to share my knowledge  with  you and make sure you understand your dog’s behavior.    Most dogs surrendered at the Shelter are abandoned or returned because of behavior problems.  

It is not  the dog's fault  that they do not know how to behave around your friends. Since  they were a puppy it  has been convenient for you that  they  jump up, so you don't have to bend all the way down to pet  them .  How many times have you been happy to see how much your dog loves you when you come home. They wag their tails, they whine, get all excited, they jump  up  and you just love every minute of it  and pet them . However it is not same when you have nice clothes or when your cute puppy is 80lbs.  But from the dog's point of view it is the same behavior.  And they just have been rewarded for the bad behavior. 

We are the ones  responsible for their behavior. They need to learn how to behave and it is OUR responsibility to teach them good manners.

This is just one simple example of a behavior problem that people get annoyed  with over the years. I also know that even though you love your puppy, you are not enjoying  their company when all  they do is playbite ( which is fun for  them , but not for you).They are using you as  their playmate,  and that is why  they are not listening to you when you correct  them. At this point you have no authority over  them . 

I will show you how to elevate your status and teach your dog to respect you ( make sure they understand you are not  their chew toy).  

It is not as much about teaching the dog, but making you and your family understand the dogs behavior and be able to communicate with your dog in their language.

Some basic exercises, being consistent,  and understanding   their behavior will help you to have a better relationship with your pet.   I only hope when you got your puppy or adult dog,  you made a  commitment that you will keep for the long years to come.

                                                                                        Marcia

In-home Dog Training: Greensboro,  Burlington, Cary, Hillsborough, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex and Raleigh  .