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Helping Dogs and Their Owners Build Better Lives Together.
We specialize in helping behaviorally complex dogs, including reactive, fearful, anxious, and overly aroused dogs, become calm, confident, and reliable companions through clear communication, structure, and training tailored to both dog and owner.
Wild Child Dog Training exists because of a wolfdog named Waya.
Like many owners, I loved my dog deeply but struggled to understand her behavior despite doing everything I thought was “right.” That journey sparked an obsession with canine behavior and a desire to understand not just how dogs learn, but why they behave the way they do.
What began with Waya grew into a lifelong pursuit of education and hands-on experience. Along the way, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior and Health, studied ethology at Wolf Park, trained alongside respected professionals, completed specialized behavior and canine training programs, competed in dog sports, and worked with hundreds of dogs from family companions to guardians to high-drive breeds.
But the greatest lessons never came from a classroom. They came from the dogs themselves.
Waya was the beginning of the journey, and her legacy continues to inspire everything we do.
We've seen firsthand how frustrating life can become when communication between a dog and owner breaks down. Our mission is to help dogs earn more freedom while giving owners the confidence to truly enjoy life with them. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all training or quick fixes. Every dog earns differently, which is why our programs are built around communication, fulfillment, and accountability.
We are centrally located between Jacksonville, Swansboro, and New Bern North Carolina on a 10-acre doggy-oasis. Our property consists of a farm for distraction training, a swimming pond, a large grassy field, a covered area with turf, and an indoor training building. We offer a variety of equipment for agility, obedience, and different sport training. Creating the ultimate environment for dogs to learn and to be their self. Everything at our Wild Child property has been created with canines in mind and we’re happy to serve the surrounding military bases and towns such as Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Swansboro, Morehead City, and Emerald Isle.
Trainer
Lindsey is our newest member on the team. Starting in 2024 as a kennel technician, she gained hands-on experience handling and understanding dogs of all personalities. She was recently promoted to trainer and is excited to keep learning while helping dogs and their people build better communication. Her favorite part of the job is working directly with the dogs and seeing their confidence grow along the way.
Office Manager
Maleiyah ahs been part of the Wild Child team since 2019. With 5 of those years as a dog trainer, she now manages the office side of the business, answering calls, setting up appointments, and helping guide families through their training journey. As a mom of two with six dogs and four cats, she understands real-life training challenges and enjoys helping owners find solutions that actually work.
Kara began her journey training dogs with Wild Child in 2020 after over a decade of experience training horses. Kara has two personal dogs and enjoys taking them on adventures all over the East Coast. She has found her passion in helping dogs and owners achieve off-leash freedom. The best part of the job for her is seeing fearful dogs gain confidence and become happier through their training.
Support
Wild Child has been a family effort from the very beginning. Every member has pitched in, from construction and cleaning to walking and keeping up with property maintenance. When you visit our facility, you’re witnessing over a decade of love, hard work, and dedication from the people who have stood by Sydney’s side since day one.
Providing expert dog training that builds obedience, confidence, and a strong bond between you and your dog.
© 2026 Wild Child Dog Training. Professional Dog Training Services. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
© 2026 Wild Child Dog Training. Professional Dog Training Services. Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
© 2026 Wild Child Dog Training. Professional Dog Training Services.