Two dogs on a grassy lawn with trees and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.

Welcome to Nu Paws Academy!

Quick links to find the pup help you’re searching for:

Teaching, not training:

For better dogs and happier homes.

Where stressed-out dog parents exhale, puppies learn not to chew your feet, and every dog gets to be their authentic fuzzy self.

Your dog isn’t “bad.” They’re learning. You’re not “failing.” You’re trying. And you’re here - which already tells me you care.

Located in Monterey and the SF Peninsula

Three dogs sitting on a sandy beach with blue sky and ocean in the background
Book a free call now

You could Google how to potty train a dog, how to train a dog to stay, or how to do dog obedience training, for hours on end . . .

Or you could work with someone who already knows the science behind it.

Susan Wu – Canine Education Specialist

  • Graduate of SIRIUS® Dog Training Academy

  • Graduate of Trish King’s Canine Behavior Academy

  • Trained in body language, behavior modification, ethology, and learning theory

  • Ongoing learning avenues with world leaders in dog behavior, including Suzanne Clothier, Ken Ramirez, and Dr. Ian Dunbar

Translation: I know dogs. I speak ‘Dog’. And I’ll teach you to speak it too.

Book a free call
Two small dogs, one brown and one gray, playing and cuddling on a green floral dog bed.

Hear from happy dog parents:

  • As a first-time dog-mom, I needed help with our new furry family member. Susan provided all the tools I needed to create a safe home environment and space for our puppy. She also helped us develop a trusting and positive relationship with our new family. We can’t say enough “pawsitive” things about Susan Wu. She is a trusted trainer and friend to our fur-baby and our family.

    Cynthia M.

  • Susan is to dogs what Mary Poppins is to children; the dogs would do anything for her, and she knows just what to do for them. I love learning from her, asking her how she would handle certain situations or teach certain behaviors. Her advice is very insightful; she reads my dog and she reads me and helps us progress together. I guess she is my Mary Poppins too!

    Michelle R.

  • My dog, Lola, is a boxer who experiences significant stranger danger. She is a very sweet dog. However, she gets very nervous in situations that surprise her. I had her train with Susan Wu for a few years. Susan made great strides with her. She was almost unrecognizable at the end of training. I highly recommend Susan Wu for training your dog with behavioral issues.

    Marianne S.

Hi, I’m Susan -

I help dogs and humans understand each other.

I use gentle, science-based methods that help dogs (and their humans!) feel safe, confident, and connected. With a background in early childhood education, I understand that learning takes patience - whether the learner has two legs or four.

Teaching and learning should not involve any force or dominance.

It’s about communication, trust, and building lifelong habits - from how to crate train a puppy to how to leash train a dog without breaking your back or arm dislocation.

Learn more about me!

Nu Paws Academy Services

A brown puppy sitting inside a red pet stroller on a grassy lawn.

Board & Train

  • Board & Train

    For puppies and select adult dogs. Your dog learns foundational behaviors, social skills, and communication while staying in a real home environment - not a sterile kennel. You can also just book boarding for your puppy or select adult dogs.

    Think: safe, thought-out learning - with lots of snuggles.

    Pick up & Drop off included on selective days.

    Puppy Board & Train graduates are eligible for our boarding service,

    Click here to learn more and find pricing information.

    One-Off Teaching Session

    After our first call, you can book an initial consultation to address the things you’re concerned about. If deeper learning is needed, I will refer you to other colleagues who offer full one-on-one lessons specific to your needs.

    Contact me to get started!

Four dogs sitting indoors on a dark floor, with a person standing nearby. One of the dogs appears to be a terrier, and others are possibly a poodle and a mixed breed. All are looking attentively at the person.

Puppy Daycare Academy

  • For puppies under 6 months. Pick-up, play, supervised social learning, and foundational lessons such as potty training a puppy, crate training a puppy, come when called, impulse control (ie, not running out the door, calmly waiting for food/ treat), and more. Only 4–6 puppies at a time to ensure individualized attention.

    Pick up & Drop off included.

    Puppy Daycare Academy graduates are eligible for our boarding service,

    Click here to learn more and find pricing information.

Boarding Only

  • Dogs stay with me while you’re away, ensuring they’re loved and comfortable and have ample time to play. Dogs over 6 months old are subject to a 1-2 night trial after a free initial call and a free meet & greet.

    Click here to learn more and find pricing information.

Schedule a free call to find your best fit!

What Makes Nu Paws Academy Unique?

  • A cute brown puppy wearing a pink party hat with stars and pom-pom decorations, standing on a wooden deck and looking up at the camera.

    1. Dogs Are Family

    Your dog isn’t a subordinate soldier -they’re a family member with their own personality. I honor who they are and build training around it, not over it.

  • A large, fluffy white dog lying on green grass in a park or garden, with trees and a wooden pavilion in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    2. We Go at Their Pace

    Some dogs learn quickly. Some need gentle repetition. Some are nervous or reactive or curious, or goofy. I never rush learning - I respect it.

  • A brown dog outdoors on a grassy field, holding an orange and blue frisbee in its mouth, with trees and a fence in the background.

    3. Not Training - Teaching

    This isn’t a “do this or else” environment. I guide, encourage, and reward using positive reinforcement and trainer-tested treats - never force.

  • Four dogs running on a lush green lawn with a garden and trees in the background during sunset.

    4. A Unique Dog Space

    My 2-acre, fully fenced, open-air property features dedicated areas for learning, play, rest, and potty breaks - giving dogs space to move, explore, and decompress naturally.

Ready to connect? Here are your next steps —>

A woman hugging a white and brown dog inside a vehicle, with trees visible outside the open car door.

  • Reach out and share a bit about your dog - including your location - so I can confirm whether in-person services are available in your area.

  • We'll have a relaxed, open conversation to discuss your dog’s needs, history, personality, and your goals. These chats can be long or short because I believe in building genuine rapport and giving you space to talk honestly and comfortably about any challenges. There’s no “your ten minutes are up” approach - just real, human connection. Yes, I am a Gen Xer who believes in phone conversations, but text messages and email are not foreign to me either if you’d like to go that route!

  • If it feels like a good match, we'll schedule the in-person initial consultation - setting the date and time to begin you and your dog's "learning" journey.

Ready to connect? Let's do it!

FAQs

  • Visit my Puppy Daycare Academy page for the pricing and more details!

  • Yes. These types of dogs are actually one of my specialties.

  • Absolutely not. In fact:

    Please don’t clean before I visit. I need to see real lived life to give real advice that works for your dog's day-to-day environment.

  • Nope. This is gentle, science-based dog and family learning - not military-style drilling.

  • No. I focus on using communication through body language - both from the dog and from the human, positive reinforcement, and building trust through building loving relationships - not fear or intimidation.

  • Yes! If you’re wondering how to potty train an older dog or how to introduce new behaviors later in life, it’s absolutely doable. Many have done it, so can you!

  • Monterey Peninsula: Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea, Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach

    SF Peninsula: Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Stanford, Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Gilroy

  • Contact me - we can discuss remote guidance or travel possibilities.