Karen Comstock MA CBCC-ka CPDT-ka

Karen Comstock dog trainer and behavior counselor with an Irish Wolfhound she trained. The two are standing side-by-side in a park as part of a socialization exercise.

Karen Comstock—widely known as Aunt Karen—has been helping dogs and their owners build strong, trusting relationships through reward-based, force-free training for decades!

Aunt Karen maintains her credentials as a Certified Behavior Counselor-Canine (CBCC-ka) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-ka) through the CCPDT.org independent certification council. A resident of Hendersonville North Carolina, she has worked with over a thousand dogs in the greater Hendersonville area. Karen specializes in Raise Right puppy coaching, canine behavior problem-solving, aggression mitigation and rehabilitation for misunderstood dogs.

Karen’s training philosophy is firmly rooted in science, positive reinforcement, and ethical training practices. She follows Dr. Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy, ensuring that every dog learns in a way that is effective, gentle, and fear-free. Aunt Karen never uses shock collars, choke chains, slip leads or intimidation. Instead, she helps dogs and their families succeed by reinforcing wanted behaviors and allowing unwanted behaviors to fade—creating eager learners who genuinely enjoy training.

Training Specialties

Raise Right Puppy Coach – Building confidence, good manners, and social skills from day one.

Adolescent & Adult Dog Training – Coaching dogs and their guardians through the challenges of "teenage" behaviors and beyond.

Behavior Modification – Addressing reactivity, fear, and anxiety with compassionate, science-backed methods.

Rehabilitation for Rescues – Helping misunderstood dogs get a second chance at a happy, well-adjusted life.

Aggression Prevention and Mitigation – Evaluating environmental stressors and building new behavior.

Hyper-Attachment & Separation Distress – Creating structured plans to help dogs feel independent, safe and secure when they are not with you.

Certifications & Professional Affiliations

  • Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-ka)

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-ka)

  • Member, Pet Professionals Guild

  • Member, Shock Free Coalition

  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

  • Founder, Hendersonville Dog Trainers Alliance

Karen holds a Master of Arts degree from UNCW in Liberal Studies with emphasis in critical thinking, positive psychology and instructional design. She maintains her Canine Behavior credentials through continuing education, participating in professional organizations and collaboration with Veterinarians and Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorists.

Karen’s broad experience provides you and your dog with patience, empathy and creative problem-solving.

Let’s make training engaging and enjoyable for everyone involved

Three dogs lying on a grassy surface with harnesses: a gray dog with a red harness, a black and white dog with a red harness, and a brown dog with a blue harness.

Serving Western North Carolina and the Upstate, including Hendersonville, Brevard, Flat Rock and Saluda.

Please use care in selecting a training method and a certified professional to guide you as you raise your puppy or address behavior issues in your dog. Dog training is an unregulated, unlicensed field. Look for verifiable credentials based on current education and high standards that do not rely on tools and practices that may create fearful or repressed behavior in your dog. Ask direct questions about the methods being used by any trainer you contact.