Meet Your Trainer
Science-based, force-free training with heart, humour, and genuine care for animals.
Joanne Bignoux McMahon, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
(Pronouns: She/Her)
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer -Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Pat Miller Peaceable Paws Affiliate
Testimonial
Sands & Sheba
“If you are looking for someone to train your pet that will care about them while teaching them, Jo is that person. She listens to you, offers suggestions, tips, advice and is fun to work with.”
- Sandra
A Relationship-centred Approach to Training, Built on Clarity, Care, and Trust in Richmond, VA
Hey! Hi!
I’m Joanne, the trainer behind 360 Animal Training & Behaviour. I am a certified professional dog trainer with more than 15 years of experience helping dogs, cats, and their people. The accent you’ll hear is Australian, which explains both the spelling of behaviour and my relaxed, sunshine-y outlook on training.
I help guardian–companion animal teams build connection, understanding, and practical skills through kind, ethical, evidence based training. Drawing from my background as a veterinary assistant, I bring a deep understanding of animal behaviour and welfare to every session.
So glad you're here!
Sharing life with an animal brings learning curves, questions, and moments where a little guidance makes all the difference. My role is to help you make sense of what’s going on and to offer support that feels clear, manageable, and genuinely caring so you’re not constantly second-guessing what to do next.
What Shaped My Work
Before I founded 360 Animal Training & Behaviour, I spent time in environments where I saw just how much stress, fear, and misunderstanding, animals can experience — especially during vet visits, grooming, and other essential care.
I also saw guardians trying their absolute best, but without the clarity, know-how, or framework they needed.
And I saw how much harm outdated, force and intimidation-based methods could cause, often making the situation harder for both the animal and the person who loved them.
Those experiences clarified something important for me:
Training should never add fear to an already stressful situation. It should create understanding, confidence, and emotional safety — for both ends of the leash.
That belief is the foundation of my entire approach.
The Approach Behind the Training
I believe animals thrive when they feel safe, understood, and supported in predictable environments.
I believe guardians thrive when they have clear guidance, kind coaching, and permission to take things at a pace that feels right.
And I believe every guardian–animal team has the potential to grow, reconnect, and discover new possibilities — even if things feel overwhelming right now.
At 360 Animal Training & Behaviour, everything we do is grounded in:
• Kindness and ethical care
• Respect for your animal’s wellbeing
• Clear explanations that reduce overwhelm
• Science-backed methods you can trust
• Support that meets you exactly where you are
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need support that feels steady and doable.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
My approach blends clear structure with genuine support
— a combination that helps you feel grounded while also noticing real progress.
You’ll get:
Multimodal Support
In-person sessions, day training, virtual coaching, group classes, and accessible on-demand resources — all designed so you feel supported from every aspect, not just during an hour-long appointment.
A Supportive Pace for Both of You
No judgment. No force. No rushing.
We adjust as needed so learning fits comfortably into your everyday life together.
Real Partnership
I’m here to help you understand what your animal is experiencing and build skills you can use now and with every future companion.
Clear Guidance, Without Overwhelm
I break things into simple, manageable steps you can actually use in daily life.
Dog Training
I work with dogs at every stage — from puppies to adults — offering kind, evidence-based training that builds everyday skills, supports real-life situations, and helps guardians grow confidence alongside their dogs.
Cat Training
I offer practical, reward-based training for cats that supports enrichment, everyday manners, and general maintenance — helping guardians create routines and environments their cats can thrive in.
Real-world Results, Grounded in Experience and Education
My experience spans shelter, retail, and private homes, giving me a wide lens on behavior challenges. I’ve guided countless dog lovers through leash walking manners, greeting manners, coming when called, dog crate training comfort, persistent difficulties such as incomplete potty training, and focus around distractions.
I also offer AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluations for dogs heading toward therapy or community work and integrate enrichment and cooperative care into every plan to build well-rounded, stress-resilient learners and companions.
Alongside hands-on experience, I’m a certified professional dog trainer who prioritizes continued education and staying current with modern, science-backed training practices. I regularly pursue ongoing learning so the guidance you receive reflects up-to-date research, ethical standards, and proven methods—ensuring your animal’s well-being is always at the center of the work we do together.
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of work, you’ll often find me exploring Virginia with my chihuahua, Phantom—enjoying local food, spending time by the James River, or taking slow drives through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sharing daily life and small adventures with my doggo is important to me, and it’s the same kind of connected, flexible life I help clients build with their own companion animals.
Outside of training, I enjoy photography, illustration, cheering on my favorite football teams, travel, and winding down with a good movie or a cuppa with friends.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed — or simply ready for things to feel more understandable, connected, and manageable — I’m here to help.
Before beginning any training program you will want to talk to us. 360 Animal Training and Behaviour offers a free discovery call to discuss your goals, answer your questions, and make sure our approach is the right fit. The discovery call is friendly, pressure-free, and the first step towards a happier life with your animal companion.
Our Team
Phantom Bignoux McMahon
Phantom, NTD, 2K9-23, EQ-23, BR3K-24, DO-24, O-P5, O-H, O-BB, O-F, O-B, O-TR
Phantom, my chihuahua, shares daily life and work with me — from appearing in training videos to supporting demonstrations and participating in AKC evaluations. Training and living alongside him continues to shape how I support clients: with patience, realism, and an understanding that skills need to hold up in real life, not just during sessions. His own training journey and accomplishments are a reminder that thoughtful, force-free work builds capable, confident companions — regardless of size.
Phantom’s training highlights include:
- AKC S.T.A.R Puppy (American Kennel Club)
- NTD (Novice Trick Dog Title - Do More With Your Dog)
- My training partner during the Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainer course
- Clicker Expo partner Washington DC 2020
- Do More With Your Dog Titles: 2K9-23, EQ-23, BR3K-24, DO-24, O-P5, O-H, O-BB, O-F, O-B, O-TR
In Honour of Isabella
The cat who first showed me how much cats enjoy learning.
Isabella was the cat who first showed me that cats are not only trainable — they can genuinely enjoy learning and seek it out.
I discovered this by happenstance while I was training Phantom. Isabella wandered over, began posing and trying to get my attention, clearly wanting to be part of the session. That moment sparked a lightbulb for me. I began introducing the clicker to her, and she quickly understood the communication behind it.
Before long, she would walk to our usual training spot and meow to let me know she was ready to begin. Together we explored all kinds of fun behaviours, and Isabella eventually learned more than fifteen tricks, including leg weaves, high fives, coming when called, peekaboo between my feet, and my favourite — sitting proudly with one paw lifted as if posing for a portrait.
More than anything, Isabella was my heart cat. She shared fourteen wonderful years with me and had a rare combination of sweetness, intelligence, and quiet devotion. When I wasn’t feeling well, she would curl up on my lap or settle gently on my tummy as if she knew exactly what I needed.
Her curiosity and enthusiasm for training helped shape the way I work with cats today. Because of her, I know that when training is built on trust, clear communication, and kindness, cats can become eager learners who surprise their guardians with just how much they’re capable of — and how much richer life together can become.
The lessons Isabella taught me continue to guide the way I help guardians discover what their cats are capable of.