Cecilia Sternzon has spent a lifetime paying attention to how dogs learn—and just as importantly, how people do.

Her relationship with training began early. At 12 years old, she was already working with her own dogs, curious about how communication, trust, and behavior fit together. That curiosity stayed with her through college and resurfaced more formally in 1992, when she joined a Flyball and Agility club and began teaching pet dog training classes to help cover competition fees. What began as a practical way to stay involved in competition quickly revealed itself as something deeper.

By 2003, Cecilia had earned her Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) credential. A year later, she took what she calls “the plunge,” committing fully to dog training and behavior counseling as a career. In 2005, she founded KADIE – Kids and Dogs Interactive Education, a nonprofit focused on teaching children how to remain safe around dogs. From the start, her work reflected a consistent throughline: training is most effective when it supports the relationship on both sides of the leash.

Today, Cecilia brings more than 20 years of professional experience to her role managing group dog training programs at Humane Society Silicon Valley. A Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, she continues to stay closely connected to evolving research in learning and behavior through ongoing education. While she specializes in high-drive dogs, her work spans a broad spectrum—supporting puppies and seniors alike, as well as dogs who are nervous, fearful, reactive, confident, calm, athletic, or somewhere in between.

At HSSV, training is intentionally designed to meet that diversity head-on. As Cecilia explains, “At HSSV, we’re driven by the desire to keep dogs in their loving homes. Since statistics have shown that trained dogs are less likely to be relinquished to shelters, we’ve built our robust training programs to meet the needs of the wide variety of dogs in our communities.” That philosophy translates into a wide range of training pathways. “With a variety of training tracks, we have something for every dog, from new puppies to elderly dogs, from nervous and fearful to rambunctious to reactive to confident, from calm and quiet to athletic and energetic. We train them all!”

Central to that approach is a clear understanding of what positive reinforcement truly means. For Cecilia, it goes far beyond a single method or reward system. “Positive reinforcement is not just about a training technique,” she says. “It is a philosophy of using dog-friendly, people-friendly training. Based on the science of learning, it is well-suited to every dog.”

That philosophy shapes not only how dogs are taught, but how people experience training alongside them. “Most people don’t want to be harsh with their dogs,” Cecilia notes. “Our philosophy of ‘convince, don’t force’ uses science-based methods, making the training fun for both dogs and humans.” That sense of enjoyment matters. “When training is fun, it is more likely to be practiced, and therefore more successful for all.”

On the training floor, creating the right conditions for learning is essential. Stress, Cecilia explains, can shut learning down entirely. “When an animal or person is stressed, thought processes can shut down and learning ceases.” For her, calm and clarity are not abstract ideals but practical necessities. “In our training classes, calm, clear, stress-free learning means that we are working with the dog and human where they are. So learning is never forced but instead encouraged and celebrated.”

Confidence-building is a natural extension of that environment and a cornerstone of HSSV’s training philosophy. As Cecilia puts it, “Confidence is a fundamental aspect of the well-adjusted dog.” By intentionally using techniques that support confidence on both ends of the leash, “we put them on the path to being more comfortable in their environment.” The result, she explains, is a deeper connection. “In this way, dogs and humans are better able to connect, leading to more responsive and better-behaved dogs overall.”

What ultimately sets HSSV’s approach apart is its emphasis on partnership. Cecilia is clear that effective training does not focus solely on the dog. “Our training philosophy addresses both sides of the canine/human partnership,” she says. “We don’t just treat dogs with kindness and respect; we treat humans this way as well.” That respect has a lasting impact. “Thus, with better motivated guardians, we build partnerships to last the lifetime of the dogs.”

Through her leadership, experience, and steady commitment to science-based, compassionate training, Cecilia helps ensure that HSSV’s programs do more than teach skills. They create space for understanding, confidence, and connection—giving dogs and their people the tools they need to succeed together.