Helping people and dogs thrive together.
San Francisco Dog Trainer,
Fine Art Dog Photographer,
and Doggie Event Coordinator
We’re on a mission to improve communication between humans & dogs
We teach people how to listen deeply to what their dog is really saying.
Dogs speak through body, breath, motion and emotion. By understanding your pup’s subtle signals…a look-away, a shift in weight, a lick of the lips—you unlock a shared language built on trust, not control.
We’re not just about “fixing” behavior…behavior is just the outward expression of emotion. We’re about strengthening connection between human and dog, fostering compassion with everyone in the dog’s orbit, and providing the right support at the right time, so both human and dog can thrive. And then the behavior changes, because the dog feels better.
We’re about creating a fulfilling, trusting, partnership on both ends of the leash.
Our approach: Partnership, Empathy, and Trust
This isn’t just a tagline. P.E.T. means everything to us. It’s how we conduct business. It’s how we treat our clients. It’s how we show respect to our collaborators. It’s how we change relationships and improve lives.
Partnership: we help you strengthen your bond with your dog, by creating open communication and a crystal-clear understanding of each other’s needs and expectations.
Empathy: we teach you to listen and speak non-verbally, so you can hear what your dog is saying and respond in their language
Trust: we not only create predictable, safe routines for the dog, but we also help you see your dog’s potential. Whether that means coming back when off-leash, or greeting others safely, we help the dog trust the human, and the human trust the dog.
Dog Training:
Dog training is an un-regulated industry….no credentials are required to open a dog training business. That’s why if you talk to 10 trainers, you’ll likely get 10 different opinions.
We’re different because we’re certified. The rigorous CPDT-KA from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) requires 1,000 hours of hands-on training work, logged and approved by a current certificant, plus a passing score on a 200+ questions test. Additionally, every three years, 36 hours of continuing education are required for recertification. We’ve recertified twice. We’ve even helped the CCPDT with their exam questions. Not every trainer carries this certification - but the ones who do are the ones you can trust.
About the CCPDT:
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), established in 2001, is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in humane, positve-reinforcement based, science-backed dog training practices. The CCPDT’s core values of Integrity, Education, Excellence, Scientific principles, and Transparency influence how it constructs exams and holds certificants accountable to an evidence-based approach.
Core Expertise:
Leash pulling
Jumping & mouthing
Shyness & bravery
Barking, lunging, reactivity
Separation Anxiety
Problem behaviors in the home
Recall & Focus on Handler
Puppy training
Dog-dog socialization & play
Manners
Fine Art Dog Photography:
Our mobile portrait studio pops-up at breweries, dog events and street fairs all over the bay area. We’ve photographed over 400 dogs since launching the mobile studio in Summer 2024, and the list of happy clients just keeps growing.
Doggie Event Coordination:
Over a 20+ year marketing career, our Founder and Principal, Paul Sears, has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. From 50-100+ person workshops, to booths at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, to national roadshow tours, to large-scale consumer events, Paul has had the opportunity to get his hands very dirty when it comes to event planning. In his new career, he’s thrilled to apply these same skills to plan and coordinate doggie birthday parties, adoption events, toy drives, and more.
Our Team
Paul Sears, CPDT-KA is Resilient Rover’s Founder and Principal. After 21 years in marketing, advertising and PR, Paul decided in 2024 to pursue his passion for dogs full-time. He has been working with dogs for 15+ years, and has been certified through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) since 2018. A lifelong learner, Paul is constantly attending webinars and training sessions to get the latest research and science. He has even helped the CCPDT develop their annual test for new certificants.
Paul has been a studio and fine art photographer since 2008, and has been featured in galleries and juried exhibitions. In Summer 2024, he decided to combine these two passions with a mobile photo studio designed to capture fine art dog portraits. The mobile studio pops up at breweries, pet shops, street fairs and other venues all around the Bay Area.
Throughout his 21 year career in marketing, Paul has planned and executed events for some of the worlds best-known brands. From workshops, roadshow tours and tradeshow booths, to station dominations and flashmobs - Paul has done an outsized share of event coordination. Now in his post-marketing life, he combines these skills with his passion for dogs, helping coordinate birthday parties, adoption events, toy drives, and more.
Contact Paul at paul.sears@resilientrover.com
Reach out for a free consultation today
We’d love to see if we can help you and your pup be even better friends.
