Hey there, I’m Deise! 👋
I’m a dog behavior nerd with a PhD in literature (yep, really!) who took a complete career turn—all thanks to my dog, Wurst. 🐶💛
Wurst is the reason I made a huge change (not just in my career but in my entire life). Together, we moved to Germany to create a better future. For him, this meant daily trails, endless sniffing adventures, agility and dog-friendly restaurants where he could tag along. But the most incredible part? His separation anxiety, which once felt impossible to overcome, has improved so much.
When I first got Wurst, I had no idea what I was in for. His severe separation anxiety made everyday life stressful, and I felt lost. Back then, I didn’t know much about dog behavior(I confess, he made me study)! 📚 The more I learned, the more I realized how misunderstood anxious dogs are.
What really hit me was how many people don’t truly understand or respect a dog’s emotions (especially when they’re small). I kept hearing things like “Just let him cry it out” or “He’s just being stubborn”. But Wurst wasn’t being difficult: he was scared. That moment of realization pushed me deep into the world of positive reinforcement training, not just as a way to help Wurst, but to help other struggling dogs too. And honestly? It didn’t just make me a better trainer: it made me a more compassionate person. 💛
So, I did what any research-loving nerd would do: I dove deep into the science of dog behavior. 🔬 I trained in Germany, completing rigorous, welfare-based certifications and working hands-on with experienced trainers.
Why I Do This Work
Imagine a 3-year-old girl who just lost her mother and had to stay with the neighbor and sister while her father worked to support them. Imagine that her mother, already grieving the loss of her son just two years earlier, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43 (while unexpectedly pregnant). That little girl grew up in a home that got even harder when her father remarried someone who wasn’t kind to her. She started stuttering after her mother died, and other kids laughed at her for it.
That little girl was me.
And maybe that’s why I understand anxious dogs so deeply. Dogs who had a tough start. Dogs who carry invisible scars. Dogs who just need to feel safe, seen, and supported.
Even after countless hours of therapy, some things stay with you. You don’t just “get over” deep grief or fear, but you learn how to live with it, how to feel joy again, how to build trust one small step at a time.
That’s what I help dogs and their humans do.
📚 A Science-Backed, Compassionate Approach
With a PhD background, I’m naturally methodical, research-driven, and detail-oriented. But I also believe in keeping things practical and accessible for everyday dog parents. To become a trainer in Germany, I completed:
✔️ A German welfare-compliant certification (with exams, internships, and hands-on training)
✔️ Specialized studies in separation anxiety & noise phobia
✔️ Continuous education on the latest science-based methods and positive reinforcement techniques
🌍 I Speak Four Languages
I speak Portuguese 
, English 
, French 
, and German 
, so if you need support in your preferred language, I’ve got you covered!
the dog who taught me everything
Wurst is a Mittelspitz—an independent, sharp, and intense little dog who, in all honesty, wasn’t the easiest choice for a first-time dog owner. 🐶💛 Well, not my first dog (I had dogs all my life, but back then, they lived outside, and training wasn’t really a thing).
My dad loved dogs (and animals in general), and we always had them around (especially Boxers, his favorite breed). But Wurst was different. With separation anxiety, reactivity, and resource guarding, he challenged me in ways I never expected. More than that, he taught me. He made me dive deep into dog behavior, study relentlessly, and most importantly, be humble enough to put his emotions and needs above other people’s opinions of how a dog “should” behave. Through Wurst, I learned that true progress comes from understanding, patience, and meeting a dog where they are, not where we wish they’d be. 💕
Certifications, courses and webinars
🏅Aggressive Dog Mastercourse - Michael Shikashio
🏅Certified (§11 TierSchG) by the Cologne Veterinary Office
🏅Holistic Approach to Dog Reactivity - Dante Camacho (Part 1 and 2)
🏅Sound Advice: Conquering Noise Sensitivity - Dr. Amy Cook
🏅Fear Free Animal Trainer Certification
🏅Internship Hundeschule Findeklee (130 hours from January to December 2024)
🏅Reducing Overarousal and Reactivity via the Circle Method of Leash Walking - Denise Fenzi
🏅Happy Crating - Sarah Streaming
🏅Canine Behavior (Level 5) - ISCP
🏅Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation (L.E.G.S.) - Kim Brophey
🏅The Whole Picture - Behavioral Wellness for Performance Dogs - Sarah Stremming
🏅Management for Reactive Dogs - Dr. Amy Cook
🏅Build Your Bond: Recalls - Donna Hill
🏅Toys - Developing Cooperation and Play - Denise Fenzi
