Start with understanding. Get relief before any obligation.
From everyday obedience to barking, reactivity, aggression, fear and separation anxiety: private lessons built around your dog and family.
32 years of applied experience. Since April 2009, a deliberate focus on difficult cases. Experience across 15 shelters, rescues, and professional training organizations.
Your dog needs something more. You know it. Whether you are facing a crisis, weighing surrender, or questioning why progress has stalled, reach out before your options narrow. CFG examines the dog, the family, and the dynamics others may have missed. Already working with a trainer or behaviorist? Keep them. We provide the specialist layer your case may need.
Start by telling us what is happening. Private lessons are the first paid step: practical help for your dog, your family, and the concerns that matter to you. More extensive assessment is available when needed.
Tell us what is happening and find out whether CFG is the right fit before committing. Every client receives orientation, including those who choose the paid route first.
More extensive or customized programs are discussed individually after we understand your case.
Your first 60-minute private lesson with Marnie Harris. Practical, individualized dog training and behavior help—from puppy questions and everyday obedience to barking, fear, separation anxiety, reactivity, resource guarding and serious aggression. No package commitment.
Speak with us so we can agree on the kindest, safest setting: your home or our facility. The $120 introductory offer is for an in-home visit where appropriate; other arrangements are confirmed individually.
Start with Free Orientation, then request your lesson through the family dashboard. All appointments are confirmed by CFG.
A focused engagement addressing one defined behavioral concern, including orientation, assessment and individualized guidance. We confirm the scope and next steps before payment. This is not an unlimited service or a guaranteed cure.
Ready to begin? Request the paid booking directly. Orientation is included at no additional charge. CFG will explain payment options, including PayPal or Zelle where available, and confirm your booking directly. No payment is taken on this website.
Looking for Marnie Puppins? You're in the right place. Canine Family Guidance is the current practice of Marnie Harris, whose earlier client reviews were published under Marnie Puppins. Same specialist. Same commitment to understanding the dog.
Read reviews from Marnie's previous practice →Start with understanding. Read the beginning of Marnie’s book about dogs, their families, and the context behind behavior.
A dog's behavior makes sense in context. We examine the dog, the environment, family interactions, and patterns across the household—not just isolated incidents.
Dogs fighting at home, resource guarding, or tension between family members and dogs.
Growling, lunging, snapping, biting, or behavior that has not improved with previous training. Explore dog aggression help in Highland Park and the North Shore →
When a family is weighing surrender, CFG can assess whether another practical pathway is available.
Observation before interpretation. Understanding before intervention. If pain or illness may be involved, veterinary care is part of the first step.
From shelter dogs facing uncertain futures to families navigating aggression, fear and resource guarding, these are firsthand accounts of working with Marnie Harris. The reviews were originally published under her former business name, Marnie Puppins.
“Dogs we did not think we could ever adopt out, were adopted successfully and thrived.”
“We were very fearful we would need to give up the dog for everyone's safety.”
The family describes progress with aggression toward dogs, a cat and a family member, without shock or prong collars.
“We've been working with Marnie for a couple of months now, and the difference is night and day!”
“She is a completely different dog and most importantly, she is the happiest we have seen her.”
Jinx’s family describes progress from shutting down in fear to approaching people with curiosity.
“We have been working with Marnie for a few months now and have seen great progress!”
“There is a big difference between trying to train a behaviour out of a dog and fixing the fundamental issues behind that behaviour.”
“She has genuinely changed both our lives for the better and I am incredibly grateful.”
“She has helped with us to understand the roots of Jasper's negative behaviors, how to help him feel secure”
“I have never seen her be even slightly harsh with a dog it is not how she roles.”
Quoted excerpts are attributed to the original Yelp and Facebook reviewers. Some accompanying case descriptions summarize their accounts. Historical reviews describe individual experiences, not guaranteed outcomes or reviews newly submitted to CFG.
Additional recommendations from clients and colleagues, originally published on Facebook.
“Dogs we did not think we could ever adopt out, were adopted successfully and thrived.”
“We worked with Marnie for months and were able to get back to a point of harmony in our home.”
“After 6 months of training, he is an entirely different dog, in the best way.”
“Marnie has be pivotal in eliminating Romie's behavior issues and reducing his anxiety.”
“Marnie "gets" dogs and knows how to teach people to build successful relationships with their dogs.”
“She gets to the bottom of the issues and teaches you to be the human they need.”
“I have never seen her be even slightly harsh with a dog it is not how she roles.”
“Marnie is the best at reading dogs and getting them to their potential! I’ve personally seen her work with dogs that were so aggressive people said put them down.”
“During this time Marnie showed me a way of working and communicating with dogs that has changed my life.”
“She has given us peace of mind that Gus is on his way to being a well-behaved dog that we can take places.”
“We would be lost without Marnie!! We can’t believe the changes we have seen in our dog Dash!!! She is a miracle worker!!!”
“Marnie is the best! After only one session my little girl has become a different dog. She now comes when called. Can’t wait to see what she can learn next.”
“She is also excellent at teaching us how to behave with our pets so we are good trainers too!!!”
Get relief before any obligation.
Reviews from earlier clients may appear under previous business names, including Marnie Puppins and Marnie R Plus.
Marnie Harris, KPA CTP. For 32 years, Marnie has worked directly with dogs and families facing behavioral challenges. Since April 2009, she has deliberately focused on difficult cases that have resisted previous approaches. She has worked inside 15 shelters across the country, often with the hardest dogs in the building. She holds an honors degree in pre-veterinary science from the University of Leeds (1999), with dissertation research on how stress affects animals, and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner in 2011.
Her work spans rescues, dog training organizations, and specialist consulting, including two years as Head Trainer at Tucker Pup's and work with Tail Chasers. For the first time, her own practice is dedicated exclusively to behavioral assessment and intervention—not boarding, daycare, or general pet-care services. She starts by watching: what the dog is communicating, what the household is experiencing, and what may have been overlooked. She has worked alongside veterinary behaviorists and other behavior professionals and can coordinate with a client’s veterinarian or behaviorist when the case calls for it.
CFG helps families explore safer, more sustainable options before surrender. Nine resident mentor dogs are a specialist resource at the center. Marnie matches participation case by case; some client dogs do not work with mentor dogs at all.
"Making the invisible undeniable."
We look closely at the details: subtle head turns, changes in movement, distance, and household interactions that can precede a visible problem.
Remote assessment begins with your story and video. Marnie identifies potentially overlooked variables, explains why they matter, and recommends a practical next step. Suitable cases may progress to individualized in-person intervention. Not every case requires center-based work.
Behavioral crisis support includes serious conflict between dogs, bite history, and families facing surrender. Before you commit to buying anything, tell Marnie what is happening with your dog. We'll help you understand the next step and whether CFG is the right fit.
Fastest way to reach us: Text (872) 222-3851 for Free Orientation. Prefer email? Use our online form or copy puppinsmarnie@gmail.com into your email app.
Submitting an enquiry requests a conversation; it does not automatically reserve a Zoom appointment. We will contact you to arrange the next step.
Share the essentials. No footage is required to begin.