I have been working as a Dog Trainer and Canine Behavioral Consultant since 1999, training dogs and teaching people the skills necessary to make living with their dogs positive, productive, and fun! Working with dogs was an early calling for me, starting as a kennel assistant at a local veterinary hospital when I was in my early teens. I continued to work with dogs as a veterinary technician and a kennel manager, went on to teach obedience classes and private in-home sessions. I have been helping people raise puppies for over 20 years, have shown and handled my own dogs and others in the AKC conformation show ring, and have taught AKC Canine Good Citizen classes and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes. I am also a Professional Member of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers). I assisted in raising dogs to live “as family” in Nursing Homes as part of a bigger nationwide effort called “The Eden Alternative,” with a mission to improve the lives of older adults lacking close family support. Training your dog is all about relationship and communication. More than anything, dogs want fit in and understand what is expected of them. Once you learn to develop the relationship and utilize the communication skills and tools I teach you, you’ll see your ability to communicate with your dog open up in front of you. The joy I get from seeing happy dogs and happy families is immeasurable.