Expert Guidance You Can trust. Support when you need it most.
Behavior consulting, dog and puppy training for dogs and their people.
Serving Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Burlington, Pittsboro, Cary, Raleigh and surrounding areas.
Certified, Professional Dog training and Behavior COnsulting for a better best friend
Behavior Consulting
Ready to enjoy your dog again?
Living with a dog suffering from aggression, reactivity or fear can be incredibly stressful. As a certified behavior consultant and professional trainer specializing in aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety, I can help!
Whether your dogs struggles with barking and lunging on walks, or displaying "stranger danger" with guests, let me help you leave guilt, embarrassment, and anxiety behind and get back to the life you envisioned with your best friend.
Puppy Training
Has your puppy dream become a bit of a nightmare?
Love your puppy but exhausted from the lack of sleep, puddles on the floor and holes in your clothes from puppy teeth?
Not sure where to turn or how to sort through all the conflicting advice?
Build the foundation for a confident, well-adjusted adult dog. Let me help guide your puppy from adorable menace to snuggly couch (and life!) companion, and support you through all of the moments of "what did I do?!"
Dog Training
Ready to make everyday life with your dog easier?
Does your dog struggle with manners, recall or impulse control, jump on guests, or think every walk is a sled dog race?
I can help you build everyday excellence in the moments that count—in real life.
Separation Anxiety
Do you feel like a prisoner in your own home?
It is incredibly difficult and isolating when your dog struggles to cope with home alone time. Separation anxiety training can help you get your life and freedom back.
Ready For a Better Best Friend?
Tell me about your dog
Not sure where to start?
Book a Free Discovery CallReady to get started?Â
Complete Your Questionniare
Meet and Make a plan
During your initial appointment we will discuss your goals, what is (and isn’t) working currently in your life with your dog and realistic expectations to help you select the correct training package and level of support to meet your needs and put you on the path to a better best friend.
Start acheiving your goals
We then transition to ongoing coaching sessions, (usually every 1-2 weeks) designed around your dog, goals and everyday life.
You will receive written notes and homework after each session to provide a clear focus and path to enriching your life with your dog.
Support doesn’t end with your session! I offer text/email and office hours support to answer
questions and provide guidance between lessons; you aren’t in this alone!
About Melissa
Helping DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE THRIVE TOGETHER
Melissa Ruthenbeck-Chiaramonte, CDBC, CBCC, CPDT-KA
Certified Behavior Consultant & Professional Dog Trainer
20+ Years of Experience • Recommended by Veterinarians and Rescue Organizations
With advanced credentials in canine behavior and training, I bring the expertise to help you make meaningful, lasting progress with your dog.
 I specialize in aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety. I have the knowledge, skills and extensive toolbox to help you leave overwhelm and frustration behind and start achieving your training goals.
Whether you’re raising a new puppy, welcoming a rescue dog or walking your dog at 4 a.m. to avoid other dogs, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Even if you’ve stopped inviting people over because you’re worried about your dog’s behavior, I can help you move forward with a clear plan—and love life with your dog again.
Whether you have a new puppy or rescue dog, or find yourself walking your dog at 4 A.M. to avoid other dogs or asking friends to host game night because you’re worried about your dog’s aggressive behavior, I can help you love life with your dog again!
See what people are saying about Bark to Basics
Proven, compassionate guidance for:
Fear & Anxiety
Aggression & Reactivity
Turn barking, lunging, growling, and “stranger danger” into confidence to handle real life situations with your dog.Â
Separation Anxiety
Ease the panic and stress your dog feels when you are apart. Step-by-step guidance helps your dog feel safe and secure when home alone.
Manners & Everyday Dog Training
Make everyday life easier with practical skills and better manners that hold up in real life—from leash walking and recall to greetings, settling and impulse control.
Puppy Training
Set your puppy up for success from the start with guidance on socialization, house training, and early skills build a balanced foundation and make your pup a joy to live with.
A Better Best Friend
Deepen your bond through clear communication and trust. Replace stress and overwhelm with a happier, lifelong partnership with your dog.
Training Services
Customized Guidance designed for your life.
There is no one-size-fits-all training here. Whether you’re building better everyday manners, raising a puppy, or navigating more complex behavior challenges, we’ll develop a practical plan around your dog, your goals and your real life.
No judgment—just professional, positive, science-backed guidance and the support you need to keep moving forward.