Psychology-based training for dogs and their humans.
Let's get to the root cause of your dog's behavior and devise a plan for resolution — then give you the hands-on skills to lead your dog with confidence.
- In-home board & train
- Private lessons
- Serving San Diego County since 2024
- Psychology-based training
- Board & train in Lemon Grove
- Private lessons
- Lifetime text & phone support
- Competence leads to confidence
Helping humans and dogs since early childhood
I've felt called to help humans and dogs since early childhood. At age 10, I went door-to-door, offering my pet-sitting services. These early experiences — in combination with riding horses — set the stage for understanding how animals communicate.
Fast forward 20 years and a degree in Psychology later to when I adopted 4-year-old Pitbull Tony from a rescue. I took on Tony as a personal challenge, and with the support of some world-renowned mentors, he blossomed into one of my biggest accomplishments.
I firmly believe humans are more capable than they realize. Let me give you the competence through learning dog psychology, and the hands-on skillset — in person or virtual — to confidently lead your dog. Most behavior issues can be resolved in 1–3 private sessions; for more complex behavioral issues, I recommend my in-home board and train options.
Competence leads to confidence.
- Degree in Psychology
- Board & train in my home in Lemon Grove
- Lessons in person or virtual
- The root cause, then a plan for resolution
Featured in
Magazines that sat down with Mia to talk about her work with dogs and their humans.
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Bold Journey Magazine
Meet Mia Austin
Mia on self-confidence, her own journey and a book that shaped her.
Read the article (opens in a new tab) -
CanvasRebel Magazine
Meet Mia Austin
How Mia found her first client, grew a side hustle into something bigger, and what she had to unlearn.
Read the article (opens in a new tab)
Training & boarding services
Psychology-based training for dogs and their humans — in my home in Lemon Grove, in yours, or at a park nearby.
2-Week Board & Train
$2,500two weeks
All dogs — including puppies with at least two rounds of shots. Customized boarding is available for dogs that aren't a fit for regular boarding or pet hotels due to behavioral or medical issues requiring more individual attention.
What your dog will learn
- A solid foundation of basic obedience (sit, stay, down, place, yes, no)
- To accept and settle in a crate
- Impulse control (an open door doesn't mean "go!")
- Loose-leash walking — the leash and collar setup for enjoyable, stress-free walks
- Proper people and dog introductions — no more nipping, jumping or lunging
Included
- Lifetime text/phone support
- Free drop-off upon completion
- A free in-home lesson at drop-off for the humans of the household
Nightly Board & Train
$175per night
A great option for owners interested in boarding but not ready to commit to a 2+ week board and train — also ideal for graduates of the 2-week program looking for a refresher or to maintain progress while traveling.
Pick-up & drop-off
- Drop-offs as early as 7:00 AM
- Pick-ups as late as 7:00 PM
- Need something outside that window? Just ask as soon as possible.
Where your dog stays
- In my home in Lemon Grove, CA
- All dogs sleep in crates, with multiple rooms to accommodate every dog
Private Lessons
$20090-minute initial lesson
$1501-hour follow-up
The first lesson is typically recommended in your home, since all behaviors — good and bad — begin there. Meeting at a park or at my location in Lemon Grove is also available.
Your first lesson (90 min)
- 30–45 minutes on the basics of dog psychology and your dog's needs
- Hands-on skills with your dog, troubleshooting issues in the home
- Time permitting, a walk in your neighborhood to practice
- You leave confident in how to move forward, with things to practice
Follow-ups (1 hour)
- Pick up where the last lesson left off
- Customized to your dog's behavior and your goals — tell me in advance what you'd like to work on
I accept cash, Apple Pay, Visa, MasterCard and Venmo (@DogsMindMia). Financing options are also available through Klarna, Affirm and Link.
My Process for Rehabbing Reactivity
For the dogs who are great in the house but turn sour the moment you leave it — the ones who jump, lunge, fixate and vocalize the second they spot a trigger. This is the process I use to rehab them, written down for you to work through at home.
- 01Why an over-aroused dog behaves like it is craving dopamine
- 02Identifying your dog's triggers
- 03The reset: rules, boundaries and expectations at home
- 04Exercise during the reset — without rehearsing reactivity
- 05Counterconditioning and desensitization
- 06What to keep in mind, and recommended reading
Downloadable PDF · by Mia Austin
From the first lesson to a dog you can lead
All behavior — good and bad — begins in the home, so that's usually where we start.
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Tell me about your dog
Send the form below, or call or text 314-707-4321. We'll find the right starting point — a lesson or board & train.
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Dog psychology first
The first 30–45 minutes cover the basics of dog psychology and your dog's needs based on their pack position.
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Hands-on skills
We practice with your dog, troubleshoot issues in the home and — time permitting — walk your neighborhood together.
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Practice and follow up
You leave confident in how to move forward, with things to practice. Follow-ups pick up where we left off.
Training that starts with how your dog thinks
I firmly believe humans are more capable than they realize.
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Psychology-based
Training built on how dogs think and communicate, from a trainer with a degree in Psychology.
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The root cause, not a quick fix
We get to the root cause of your dog's behavior and devise a plan for resolution.
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Where behavior begins
Lessons usually start in your home, where all behavior begins — and boarding dogs stay in mine, in Lemon Grove.
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Support for life
Board & train comes with lifetime text and phone support, a free drop-off and a free lesson for the humans.
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Easy to pay
Cash, Apple Pay, Visa, MasterCard and Venmo, with financing through Klarna, Affirm and Link.
Good dogs, calm humans
What dog parents say
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Questions, answered
Can't find yours? Call or text 314-707-4321.
Still wondering about something?
Text 314-707-4321What is dog psychology?
Dog psychology is the study of dog behavior and understanding how dogs think and communicate.
Where does training take place?
Boarding and training takes place out of my home in Lemon Grove, CA. Private lessons are typically held in your home, since all behaviors begin there; a park or my location in Lemon Grove also works.
How many lessons will my dog need?
Most behavior issues can be resolved in 1–3 private sessions. For more complex behavioral issues, I recommend my in-home board and train options.
Where will my dog sleep at night?
All dogs sleep in crates in my home. Multiple rooms are available to best accommodate every dog.
Can puppies come to board & train?
Yes — all dogs are welcome, including puppies with at least two rounds of shots.
My dog isn't a fit for regular boarding. Can you help?
Customized boarding is available for dogs that aren't a fit for regular boarding or pet hotels due to behavioral or medical issues requiring more individual attention.
What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
Every effort is made to accommodate your schedule within reason. Drop-offs are available as early as 7:00 AM and pick-ups as late as 7:00 PM. Need something outside that window? Just ask as soon as possible.
Are virtual lessons available?
Yes. Lessons are available in person or virtually, so dog owners outside the local area can work with me too.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Apple Pay, Visa, MasterCard and Venmo (@DogsMindMia). Financing options are also available through Klarna, Affirm and Link.
Let's talk about your dog
Three quick steps: you, your dog, and what you'd like help with. I'll get back to you to plan the next step.
Thank you — your message is on its way to Mia.
I'll be in touch soon to plan the next step. If it's urgent, call or text 314-707-4321.
Competence leads to confidence.
Book a private lesson or ask about board & train. Call or text 314-707-4321, or send a message — Lemon Grove, CA, serving San Diego County.
Insured for pet care