My journey into the world of dog behavior began long before I officially became a trainer. It started with a tiny, bold, and wonderfully crazy cockapoo who was an inseparable part of my family. We took her everywhere, and she was a constant source of amusement. Later, as a young adult, I welcomed an Australian Cattle Dog into my life. He was a deaf dog, and while he was an angel and surprisingly easy on us, I now realize how clueless I was about his needs. We relied on old-school training methods: leash pops, loud commands, and absolutely no treats. I regret not treating him with more respect, but as they say, you do what you know until you know better.
Every dog trainer has a “gateway” dog, that one canine companion who opens your eyes to a whole new understanding of behavior. For me, that dog was Ranger. He was an outgoing, friendly herd dog mix, but he possessed significant phobias around noises and weather. He desperately needed help learning to cope with scary situations. It wasn’t until later that I understood how many of his “problem” behaviors were rooted in fear.
The rescue organization I adopted Ranger from suggested using a prong collar to get him to walk nicely on a leash. However, the idea of punishing a dog who clearly lacked the skills to walk properly on a leash didn’t sit right with me. Moreover, the prong collar didn’t even stop him from pulling. This pivotal moment led me to seek out a positive reinforcement training studio that utilized clickers and food. Suddenly, a lightbulb went off for both of us – training could be fun! I am eternally grateful to the folks at Ahimsa for guiding us toward a better path. It took me some time to truly grasp the principles, but I was undeniably hooked on animal behavior. Ranger didn’t just bring me to the field of animal behavior; we had a blast exploring it together.
My formal education began when I earned my certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington in 2016. The following year, I achieved my Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Professional designation. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in various aspects of behavior study. I delved into Applied Behavior Analysis with Dr. Susan Friedman in 2018 and 2021. I’ve also participated in the Convergence of Human and Animal Training and Technology, attended Control Unleashed conferences, and engaged in multiple KPA Clicker Expos. My commitment to learning extended to completing FearFree Shelters and attending Aggression in Dogs Conferences.
My practical experience includes volunteering at the Seattle Animal Shelter. I started as a dog walker and eventually transitioned to an instructor for dog walkers and a member of the Dog Behavior Team. The multitude of dogs I worked with there taught me invaluable lessons about stress, fear, and reactivity. I also fostered two young, challenging Border Collies, which gave me a deep, personal empathy for how difficult it can be to live with a stressed-out dog.
The field of dog training and behavior science is evolving at a rapid pace, and I am committed to continuous learning. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be involved. My focus has shifted from simply reacting to and stopping unwanted behaviors to proactively helping people and their animals (and other family members) set themselves up for success. It’s far more rewarding to recognize and reward the good things your dog is doing than to focus on and punish their “bad” behaviors. And the best part? It works!
My overarching goal is to teach both humans and animals with kindness and empathy. I am passionate about sharing my evolving knowledge of animal behavior with everyone I meet. I encourage you to explore my resources page, where you’ll find a curated list of books and articles that have significantly influenced my journey.
If you’re interested in discussing dogs and people, please feel free to reach out.