Charlotte and Beo at the USCA National German Shepherd Championship for the sport of Schutzhund.
Your Dog Trainer | Charlotte Hoberg
Hi, I’m Charlotte Hoberg, a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant based in Severn, Maryland. I specialize in working with dogs struggling with reactivity, aggression, and big emotional responses, and with people who are committed to better understanding their dogs!
I use a reinforcement based, balanced approach, using evidence-informed techniques that are grounded in dog welfare. I don’t believe behavior exists in a vacuum: effective training must account for a dog’s emotional state, physical needs, learning history, and environment.
Real behavior change happens when dogs feel safe enough to learn, not when behaviors are simply suppressed or overridden.
Long before dog training became my profession, I spent years working with horses, which shaped how I think about behavior, pressure, and communication across species. Later, after adopting a rescue dog with significant fear and aggression challenges, I experienced firsthand how inadequate surface-level solutions can be for dogs with complex needs. That experience pushed me to deeply study canine behavior, learning theory, and humane behavior modificatio, and it continues to influence how I work today.
Training is about helping dogs develop skills they can access in the real world, as well as helping their people understand how to meet their dog’s needs in a way that supports long-term success. I focus on teaching dogs what to do, while also helping handlers recognize why behaviors happen and how to respond thoughtfully.
I do not use a one-size-fits-all model. Every dog and family is different, and training plans should reflect that. My work is results-driven, but never at the expense of the dog’s emotional or physical well-being. To me, welfare is not a trade-off for effectiveness — it’s a requirement for it.
Outside of pet dog training, I train and compete in the sport of Schutzhund (IGP) with my German Shepherds, Beowulf, Ghibli, and Alchemy. Working at advanced levels of sport has reinforced the importance of clarity, motivation, and trust, and I’m proud to be part of a growing movement within the sport advocating for humane, dog-centered training and judging practices.
I’m committed to ongoing education and professional development, regularly attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, and maintaining mentorship relationships to continually refine my skills and approach.
If you’re looking for a trainer who values your dog as an individual, prioritizes welfare, and is honest about what meaningful behavior change requires, I’d love to work with you.
Training is a collaborative process — and both you and your dog deserve support that respects that!
