Meet Susan -

The Human Behind

Nu Paws Academy 🐾

Hi there! I’m Susan Wu, the founder and lead trainer of Nu Paws Academy. I’m here because I believe dogs are family - and family members deserve love, compassion, and excellent communication.

I started Nu Paws Academy to help busy dog parents (novice AND experienced) build happier, calmer, and more connected lives with their dogs. Whether you have a rambunctious puppy, a nervous rescue, or a long‑time companion who needs a refresher course on “good manners,” I’m committed to unlocking your dog’s potential … and making your life easier in the process.

A woman smiling with wind-blown hair hugging a golden retriever dog outdoors against a blue sky.

Because this job matters - and your pup deserves the best - I’m always learning. Here’s a snapshot of my background and training:

  • I completed the SIRIUS® Dog Training Academy, a science‑based canine training program. 

  • I’m a graduate of Trish King’s Canine Behavior Academy, where I studied ethology, body language, behavior evaluation, learning theory, and behavior modification techniques. 

  • I continually attend conferences, workshops, and seminars with leading experts in canine behavior, from professionals in body language to specialists in fear, reactivity, and separation anxiety. 

  • As a former early‑childhood educator (yes - I used to teach kids), I bring that same patience, individualized approach, and understanding that everyone learns differently to the table - whether human or dog.


Because of that foundation, I only use gentle, positive reinforcement - no intimidation, no force. I believe that learning should feel empowering, not scary.

My Credentials &

How I Learned to Speak Dog 📚

A woman smiling outdoors holding a fluffy white poodle and standing next to a small dog on the grass.

The Story Behind

Nu Paws Academy

The name was inspired by my first official dog - a sweet Bichon Frise named NuNu, who lived to be 16 years old. I started working with her as a three-month-old puppy, teaching her manners, tricks, and even agility. When I moved to the Bay Area and began volunteering at a local shelter, helping other pet parents with training … I realized I’d found my calling.

I launched Nu Paws Academy because I wanted to offer the kind of compassionate, individualized learning opportunities I’d always believed in - not just with my own dogs, but for all those I have the privilege of meeting and extending a helping hand.

Close-up of a small, fluffy, white dog with dark eyes and a black nose, looking at the camera.

Why I Do This

I’ve spent over 30 years working with families - first with young kids, then with pet dogs - and what I’ve learned is simple:

Every dog is a unique personality, with their own fears, hopes, and quirks. (Ok, maybe all dogs share the hopes that their dinner could be an all-you-can-eat buffet.)

Relationships thrive when built on trust, communication, and understanding.

At Nu Paws Academy, I treat every dog like family and every human like the loving, doing their best pet-parents they are. My goal isn’t to make robots or train soldiers. It’s to build real, lasting understanding between pet dogs and their human families

A young girl with pigtails and a wide smile, sitting on a step with a small brown puppy, inside a home with an indoor plant nearby.
Four small dogs looking up at the camera, sitting on a beige tiled floor.

My Everyday Life - Dogs,

Rescue Work & Real‑Life Chaos

When I’m not working with clients, I’m usually with my own pack:

Large white dog lying on green grass in a park with trees and a gazebo in the background on a partly cloudy day.
Text that reads 'Dog Rescue' in blue on a black background.
Cartoon dog holding a leash with the words 'Love and Second Chances' in colorful text.
Two dogs with red harnesses sitting on sandy beach, under blue sky with some clouds.

  • My two unique 10-year-old Formosan Mountain Dogs, adopted in 2020 and 2021.

  • My gentle and wise 11-year-old Great Pyrenees mix, adopted from Peace of Mind Dog Rescue in Monterey in May 2024.

  • I’ve also had the joy of caring for a senior hospice dog named Viggo, a Muttville hospice pup who was estimated to be around 13 years old when he came to me. He had cancer and was only expected to have a short time left. Instead, he lived another three full, love-soaked years under my care. During that season, every puppy who tumbled through my door absolutely adored Viggo - and honestly, I’m convinced they helped keep his spark bright. They showered him with attention, playfulness, and pure puppy joy, and he met every one of them with this gentle, patient wisdom. Those years taught me more about compassion, resilience, and unconditional love than any certificate ever could.

  • BoBo, my beloved miniature Schnauzer mix, was about 16 years old when he passed.  I adopted him when he was 3 years old from the California Miniature Schnauzer Rescue.  He taught me what reactivity on a leash looked like and how good a dog's eyesight can be!

  • Mostly through Love & Second Chances, the rescue that helped bring Chloe and MayMay to me; I’ve been fostering with them since 2020.

  • Where I adopted King. I recently signed up to foster at Peace of Mind Dog Rescue and volunteer for them, too. No foster pups yet, but I’ve already donated beds and blankets and fundraised for them.  I hope to welcome my first foster through them in the new year.

  • While I am less active with Muttville these days, I used to fundraise for them and donated both in goods and financially.

Logo of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, featuring a cartoon dog and the text 'Muttville Senior Dog Rescue'.
A small white fluffy dog with black eyes and nose looking up on green grass.

What Makes My Training Different 

The Nu Paws Way,

A Nu Pawspective

Collage of various scenes including a police vehicle, restaurant indoor seating, train, children playing soccer, pedestrians, and elderly in a wheelchair, with a puppy in the foreground.

  • I only use training methods backed by real behavioral science. Instead of dominance or scare tactics, I lean into positive reinforcement - food, play, praise - the things dogs care about.

  • Behavior isn’t just “sit” or “stay.” It’s emotional well‑being, confidence, brain stimulation, exercise, and even nutrition. I take a whole‑dog approach, so the behavior really sticks - and feels good while doing it.

  • Every dog is different - shy ones, brave ones, nervous ones, goofy ones. Every family is different - busy professionals, parents, first‑time owners. That’s why I tailor training lessons to the dog’s temperament and your lifestyle.

  • Training and learning should feel kind. Real life is messy. I am not here to judge - I am just here to guide you to find those real and practical solutions that fit your situation. And yeah, we laugh a little (or a lot) along the way.

  • Unlike most daycare or training facilities, my space isn’t a warehouse or a room full of gates - it’s a 2-acre, fully fenced, open-air property with multiple designated areas for learning, play, rest, and potty breaks that feel just like home. Puppies and adult dogs get to move, explore, and decompress in a natural, spacious setting, which supports healthier behavior, better learning, and a more comfortable overall experience.

    • Puppy Daycare Academy (house manners, crate training, potty training, socialization).

    • Puppy Board & Train - for those who want deep, immersive training for their new puppies.

    • Board & Train (adult) - for those who want a refresher course on good manners or need help addressing a particular challenge for their adult dogs.

    • Behavior modification for reactive, fearful, shy, or anxious dogs.

    • Boarding for overnight stays.


      Whether you want to potty train a puppy, have cruise‑control leash walks, increase your pup’s social confidence, or have peace of mind while you are away from home - I’ve got you covered.

How My Services Fit Your Life:

A happy light brown dog with curly fur lying on green grass, looking up.

Working With Me - Expectations:

    1. I listen first - truly. You’ll tell me about your dog’s personality, history, behaviors, and what you hope to achieve with your dog.

    2. We build the lesson plan together - one that respects your dog’s pace, your lifestyle, and your home.

    3. We start training - gentle, science‑based, patient, and flexible.

    4. You learn too. Because long-term success happens when humans understand dog language as well.

    5. You get support - not just during training, but after too! Questions, follow-up help, guidance, and encouragement.

A smiling woman holding a pink stuffed flamingo toy, standing outdoors near a wooden structure on a sunny day.

Who I Work With - Best Fit Clients:

    • Puppy‑parents who want a calm, confident foundation

    • Owners of reactive, shy, or fearful dogs who need gentle support

    • Busy professionals who don’t have time for constant training but want real results

    • Families who view their dog as a beloved member - not a project, a chore "that just needs to get done," or an accessory

    If you’re looking for quick fixes or dominance-based “obedience boot camps,” I am not the right fit. But if you want a thoughtful, compassionate, lasting relationship with your dog … I’m your gal.

A black, white, and brown dog lying on green grass, looking at the camera with a pink tongue out.

Let’s Talk - I’m Here to Help

If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog could be calmer or happier… I’d love to chat. Real solutions. Real growth. Real tails wagging.

Let’s see if we’re the right match and start writing a better family history for you and your dog.

A dog standing on a garden mound next to purple flowers and tall grass, with a large tree and dense green foliage in the background.
Book a Free Call Now

Service Areas:

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

What if I live outside the Monterey or the SF Peninsula?

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