He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.  You are his life, his love, his leader.  He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.  You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

                                            -- Josh Billings --

There's a highfalutin word for what I am.  I'm a cynopraxist!  I doubt you've heard of it so let me explain.  In essence it means I enhance the human-dog bond and improve the lives of dogs.  Through years of study and practice I'm helping people lead fuller, richer lives with their dogs, which means the dogs lead fuller, richer lives too.  Win-win!

I've worked with dogs and their humans for nearly twenty years without using pain, fear, force or intimidation.  Instead I've relied on solid science, creativity, compassion and serious practicality to help both dogs and their people.  Lest you think my approach is just about praise and cookie chucking, positive training done well is neither passive nor permissive.  There's some serious work involved, but it can also be a lot of fun!

Dogs have always played a big role in my life.

They've taught me, guided me, challenged and comforted me. They have also pushed me to learn more and be better - as an owner, caregiver, trainer/teacher, healer and person.  Perhaps it was inevitable that I would one day become a dog trainer, so in 2000 I took that leap and went pro.  Since then I've spent many hours studying and practicing to gain some pretty cool skills:  TTouch, Clicker Training, Healing Touch for Animals, Bridge & Target, BAT and so much more.  It's been quite a journey!

It's all gelled into this deep desire to help people understand their dogs better and bring more compassion and fun to this thing we call 'dog training'.  I also want to give dogs the best lives possible.  That means finding ways to meet their needs, communicating with them in a clear and empathetic manner and acknowledging their individuality and innate "dogness".

Life is a process, not a destination.

After two decades of working with clients and their dogs, I've found myself at a crossroad of sorts.  My newest dog has brought me back to my beginnings as a trainer, re-exploring all that I have learned along the way and offering me opportunities I thought were past.  I've decided to get back in the competition game with all the training and traveling that entails.  As a result,  I'm stepping back from doing hands-on training with client dogs for now and focusing on my own dog and my goals for him.  But I still feel this drive to help educate people about dogs.

Lucky you!

I want to pass on as much as possible about what I have learned on my journey with dogs and their people.  That's why I'm writing down as much as I can about things I've taught my clients over the years.  I'm building a Resource Center of my articles and other information to help you with your journey!

I'm also still providing the Dog In Training Vest that has helped so many dogs over the years and offering select other products that you'll love in the Store.

Need Info?

Articles, links and other helpful stuff.

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The Dog In Training Vest, Freedom Harness & more. 

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