About Dogfulness

Meet Bianca

Mindful training that helps dogs and families live with greater calm, clarity, and connection.

Smiling woman lying on floor next to a happy brown and white dog against beige background.
Woman in jeans and beige top interacting with a happy brown and white dog indoors.
I believe we’re always both teachers and learners. I’ve studied with experts worldwide and stay up-to-date with the latest research.
My why

Learn to speak dog

I created Dogfulness because I’ve always been deeply fascinated by the connection and bond between different species. To me, most behavior challenges aren’t about disobedience; they’re rooted in misunderstanding.

Originally from Germany and having traveled extensively, I’ve seen how powerful true communication is. Dogs don’t speak in words; they communicate through body language, emotion, and nervous system responses. My favorite part of this work is witnessing the shift that happens when dog guardians truly start to understand their dogs. How that deeper connection changes not just behavior but something internal in both of them.

My work goes beyond cues and conditioning. I focus on personalized, sustainable coaching that supports your dog's wellbeing using an empowering, effective, and science-based approach. My goal is to help you create a trusting relationship with your dog that feels light and connected.

Animal Behavior nerd, Trainer, Coach, Yogi

Animal Behavior nerd, Trainer, Coach, Yogi

The journey behind Dogfulness

From curiosity to clarity

Dogfulness grew from over a decade of learning, hands-on experience, and a deep commitment to understanding dogs and their people. Each step helped shape the calm, practical approach I use today.

Today

Dogfulness in New England

Over the years, I have supported more than 600 dog owners across Germany, Hawaii, and now New England. Today, I work with clients both in person and online, helping families create calmer, more connected lives with their dogs.

My work is grounded in clear communication, thoughtful structure, and building mutual trust and respect between dogs and their people. By integrating holistic principles and life-coaching tools, I support overwhelmed dog owners in taking aligned, confident action.

I remain deeply committed to ongoing learning and professional development. I am currently completing an advanced course on dog aggression with world-renowned expert Michael Shikashio, further deepening my work with complex behavior cases.

Five people sitting or standing with their dogs on a grassy lawn with trees and a white house in the background.

2024

Specializing in Dog & Baby Safety

I completed a 13-week certification program to become a Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator, expanding my work to support families navigating life with dogs and babies safely and thoughtfully.

Happy baby crawling next to a relaxed brown boxer dog on a beige blanket indoors.

2021

A broader perspective

I volunteered with a nonprofit training service dogs for veterans with PTSD in Oahu, Hawaii, and earned my life coaching certification to better support the human end of the leash.

I later founded Dogfulness, a training concept focused on helping diverse families navigate behavioral challenges through a more human-centered approach.

Three women outdoors with three dogs near a tree on grassy ground by a large body of water.

2014–2020

Expanding knowledge & experience

While attending university, I worked with horses and working cattle dogs on a ranch in South Dakota. This experience sparked a lasting passion for herding breeds and deepened my understanding of working dog behavior and drive. I also gained experience working with shelter dogs, further expanding my perspective on behavior modification.

I remain committed to ongoing education and staying current with research in canine behavior and training science to ensure my work reflects the most up-to-date, effective approaches.

Smiling woman in a hat riding a brown horse outdoors with other horses in the background.

2012

Professional foundations

Driven to understand dogs more deeply, I pursued every opportunity to study dog behavior and training. I completed an intensive one-year canine training certification in Bavaria, Germany, and began shadowing experienced trainers from Germany and Switzerland to gain hands-on insight. In 2012, I launched my first dog training business in Germany while raising my first Australian Shepherd, Bonnie.

Black and white dog leaping through water with splashes, blurred green background.

2005

Where it began

Growing up in rural Bavaria, Germany, surrounded by farm animals, I discovered my love for shaping behavior—starting with training our goats to do tricks.

Then my journey with dogs began as a teenager with rescue dog Roxy, a pointer mix with a wide range of behavioral challenges. A few years later, my Australian Shepherd, Bonnie, deepened my interest in understanding canine behavior and communication.

Woman crouches smiling while walking seven dogs on leashes in a grassy field with trees and hills behind.
The Dogfulness Approach

How I work differently

Guided by understanding & designed for real life.

Calm nervous systems

Calm creates change

When dogs feel safe and regulated, behavior begins to shift.
Your calm, steady presence helps build trust and lasting change.

Training built on trust, not fear

Dogs learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported. Positive, science-based training is effective and builds lasting results.

Clear guidance for you

My programs are designed for both you and your dog. You’re not just getting training — you’re getting guided coaching that helps you become fluent in your dog’s behavior, like a personalized masterclass you can apply in everyday life, creating meaningful, lasting change.

Support tailored to your dog

Support is tailored to each dog, because every dog is different. I take into account breed, history, temperament, lifestyle, health, and environment to design a plan that supports sustainable, long-term behavior change.

For high-energy dogs & full lives

From herding breeds to high-drive dogs, I help channel energy into focus and calm — in ways that fit busy households and real routines.
Instead of trial and error, you receive a clear, tailored plan designed to work for your dog and your life.

Service areas

Connecticut

In-home training across Fairfield County.
Virtual coaching available worldwide.

Map showing Fairfield County towns: Trumbull, Easton, Weston, Wilton, Westport, Fairfield, Southport near Bridgeport.
Licensed & insured:

"Bianca truly gets to the root of the problem."

"Hands down, Bianca is the best and most experienced dog trainer on so many levels--she's more than a trainer--she truly gets to the root of the problem. We've worked with several trainers over the years, and we've never had one with such an incredible disposition and strong animal behavior acumen. Her feedback, tips and overall approach made everything feel achievable. The analogies Bianca uses truly help things click—we finally understood the why behind the training. We've always felt overwhelmed by dog training in the past, but this was easy to grasp, practical, and made complete sense. She's made our home of four dogs much more pleasant and calm!"

Tara Burke with Penny, Malinois Mix, and 3 Boston Terriers (Behavior Mod.)

"Bianca truly gets to the root of the problem."

"Hands down, Bianca is the best and most experienced dog trainer on so many levels--she's more than a trainer--she truly gets to the root of the problem. We've worked with several trainers over the years, and we've never had one with such an incredible disposition and strong animal behavior acumen. Her feedback, tips and overall approach made everything feel achievable. The analogies Bianca uses truly help things click—we finally understood the why behind the training. We've always felt overwhelmed by dog training in the past, but this was easy to grasp, practical, and made complete sense. She's made our home of four dogs much more pleasant and calm!"

Tara Burke with Penny, Malinois Mix, and 3 Boston Terriers (Behavior Mod.)

"Bianca truly gets to the root of the problem."

"Hands down, Bianca is the best and most experienced dog trainer on so many levels--she's more than a trainer--she truly gets to the root of the problem. We've worked with several trainers over the years, and we've never had one with such an incredible disposition and strong animal behavior acumen. Her feedback, tips and overall approach made everything feel achievable. The analogies Bianca uses truly help things click—we finally understood the why behind the training. We've always felt overwhelmed by dog training in the past, but this was easy to grasp, practical, and made complete sense. She's made our home of four dogs much more pleasant and calm!"

Tara Burke with Penny, Malinois Mix, and 3 Boston Terriers (Behavior Mod.)

"Bianca truly gets to the root of the problem."

"Hands down, Bianca is the best and most experienced dog trainer on so many levels--she's more than a trainer--she truly gets to the root of the problem. We've worked with several trainers over the years, and we've never had one with such an incredible disposition and strong animal behavior acumen. Her feedback, tips and overall approach made everything feel achievable. The analogies Bianca uses truly help things click—we finally understood the why behind the training. We've always felt overwhelmed by dog training in the past, but this was easy to grasp, practical, and made complete sense. She's made our home of four dogs much more pleasant and calm!"

Tara Burke with Penny, Malinois Mix, and 3 Boston Terriers (Behavior Mod.)

"Bianca truly gets to the root of the problem."

"Hands down, Bianca is the best and most experienced dog trainer on so many levels--she's more than a trainer--she truly gets to the root of the problem. We've worked with several trainers over the years, and we've never had one with such an incredible disposition and strong animal behavior acumen. Her feedback, tips and overall approach made everything feel achievable. The analogies Bianca uses truly help things click—we finally understood the why behind the training. We've always felt overwhelmed by dog training in the past, but this was easy to grasp, practical, and made complete sense. She's made our home of four dogs much more pleasant and calm!"

Tara Burke with Penny, Malinois Mix, and 3 Boston Terriers (Behavior Mod.)

"The trainer we'd been searching for—finally."

What a blessing to be able to work with Bianca! She is the trainer we have been searching for!! She has a deep knowledge of herding breeds (how and why they do the things they do, and how to set them up for success so they can be their best selves). She took the time to get to know my sensitive Border Collie and me, understand his current challenges, and then tailored his training based on his and our family's needs. I've seen such a difference in his disposition since putting the techniques and protocols in place that Bianca taught me. My relationship with him surely strengthened during this training series! I can't thank her enough for what she has taught me, and I hope many others will benefit from her teaching!

Kelli Larrubia with Border Collie Vokey (In-Home Training)

"The expert other experts call."

I am a dog trainer and clinical animal behaviorist in June who specializes in human-directed aggression and reactivity-based behaviors. I was working on a case with a herding breed, and I knew the behaviors being expressed were not true aggression but rather misdirected herding. I reached out to Bianca to collaborate on a case, and we met online via Zoom with the clients. Bianca’s entire approach was incredible. She took us on a journey, asking intentional questions to build a history, yet she knew where she was taking us the entire time. Her calm energy, paired with her deep knowledge of the breeds she works with, allowed us to settle in and see the dog’s behavior through her lens. I have three pages of notes from sponging up the knowledge she poured over us in our session together! If you are struggling with your dog’s behavior, choose to work with her. I cannot recommend her enough! She will transform the way you live with your dog and the way you think about your dog’s behavior. Highly highly recommend!! An incredible trainer and person!

Kristina Lowe, CCDT,  CPDT-KA®, Certified Fear Free Professional, Clinical Animal Behaviorist

"We gained confidence as owners—and Fin became a happier, calmer dog."

We started training Fin as a puppy and chose Bianca and Dogfulness after talking with a few trainers. Her knowledge, patience, and kindness instantly stood out!
We’ve done 1:1 sessions, group socialization, and the Teenage Program—all amazing. Fin’s reactivity used to be a challenge, but with Bianca’s guidance, he’s listening better, focusing more, and improving every day.
Bianca truly cares about both the dogs and their owners, always taking the time to explain, encourage, and celebrate every little progress. We’ve gained so much confidence as owners and can really see how much happier and calmer Fin is becoming.

May Guedes with Pitbull/American Bully Mix Fin (Puppy Training & Behavior Modification)

Ready for a calmer life with your dog?

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

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