Lizzy Sonoda is a dog trainer, dog parent, and creator of a supportive training community focused on helping people and their reactive dogs build calmer, more confident lives together.

She began her journey not from a textbook but from lived experience — after returning home from a demanding job as a marine mammal trainer to a reactive dog named Bella, she realized traditional training methods didn’t fit her real life and energy. Instead, she developed her own Lifestyle Training approach that integrates practical training into everyday moments and emphasizes building confidence and trust rather than just managing behavior.

Her philosophy centers on understanding a dog’s nervous system, supporting owners through empathy and clarity, and helping both dogs and humans feel capable, connected, and calm.

Beyond training, Lizzy shares her life — including sourdough baking and plant care — with her community, making her approach both relatable and grounded in real life