Meet the Team
My own animals assist me in classes, private sessions, and behind the scenes. You can learn more about them here!
Has your dog struggled with reactivity? Mulligan knew what that was like.
Does your dog get upset about nail trims? Paloma knows what that’s like.
Has fear impacted your dog’s wellbeing? Miles and Thelma can relate.
All of my dogs’ concerns and joys have made me a more observant, and more careful trainer. I wouldn’t be here without them, and I’m delighted to share them with you!
Mulligan
May 16, 2010-June 14, 2022
Adopted as a puppy, Mulligan was responsible for sending my life into a new direction as a dog trainer. At twelve years old, his favorite things were rolling in the grass, sniffing, barking, committing stufficide with his toys, French fries, and painting. He earned his AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN). In 2021, he won an award from The Academy for Dog Trainers for “Best +CER” for videos of him happily getting an injection. He loved learning new things, the more complicated, the better. He taught me the importance of accepting dogs for who they are. Mulligan was known by my students for his raucous barking and goofy character.
Paloma
A fourteen-year-old Chihuahua, Paloma’s favorite things are adventure walks in the park, long car rides, and scent work. Adopted at age three, Paloma taught me that small dogs are amazing and it’s a lesson that has stuck. She is fast, smart, and excited for whatever comes next. She goes hard in all things, especially napping by the pool! Paloma has earned her AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN). In 2019, she won an award from The Academy for Dog Trainers for Best Trick (blowing bubbles in a glass of water). Paloma is known for her persistence and for teaching my students the importance of training fast.
Miles
Miles loves posing for photographs and jumping on fire hydrants. He is the subject of my ongoing photography project entitled Miles on Hydrants. He has earned his AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN), Trick Dog Intermediate title (TKI), and Trick Dog Advanced title (TKA). He has also earned his first Rally Obedience title (RLI) through World Cynosport Rally. Adopted at age two, he is a thoughtful, sensitive fellow who loves a good adventure. At twelve years old, Miles has made it his life’s work to embody the goodness of being quirky. He is known by my students for performing his “sit pretty” trick for extended periods of time in the background while I am talking.
Gustavo (Gus)
Gus is a vivacious and spicy sixteen years old. Adopted at age ten, Gus has truly discovered the good life. His favorite things are playing the piano, taking baths, riding floaties in the pool, and sampling the various cheeses of the world. He has earned his World Cynosport Rally Intro title (RLI) and his AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN). Gus has made me fall in love with senior dogs. He is known for his tap-dancing and running in circles during training demos. In the summer of 2023, we learned that Gus was losing his vision and is now almost completely without his sense of sight. We are learning how to navigate this life change together!
Thelma
Thelma is seven years old and was adopted when she was a year and a half old. A profoundly fearful and sensitive girl, Thelma’s wellbeing has improved dramatically with careful force-free training. She has earned her AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN). She also earned the “You Spin Me Round” special award for her enthusiastic spins in our Rally-FrEe submission to Topsy Turvy 2020. Her favorite things are nail trims, tuna fudge, canoodling with Gus and Tycho, and learning any kind of new behavior. Thelma entertains students with her snappy leg weaves, relentless bouncing, and bright voice.
Tycho
Tycho is a nine-year-old dog who joined our family in 2020. Mostly Siberian Husky and Border Collie, he is a blast to train with and I adore everything about him. With his previous person, he earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen title (CGC) and his Canine Good Citizen Community title (CGCA), a CPE Agility title (CL2), as well as his World Cynosport Rally Level 1 title (RL1). With me, Tycho has earned his AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN), AKC Rally Novice title (RN), World Cynosport Rally Level 2 title (RL2), World Cynosport Rally Level 1 Championship (RL1X), and his World Cynosport All Rally Championship (ARCH). Tycho's favorite things are playing, spray cheese, and snuggling with Thelma. He entertains my students by rearranging the furniture while I’m teaching.
Dottie
Dottie Louise Cookie del Rey is a nine-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who joined our family in August 2022. She came to us quite fearful and unsure after her former life producing puppies in a commercial breeding kennel. Dottie is learning just how fun and lovely life can be! Her favorite things are squeaky toys, pizza, and pulling clothes off chairs!
In Loving Memory
Burton Bananapants
September 15, 2016-September 1, 2023
Burton Bananapants was a rescued New Zealand White rabbit. He traveled north from Alabama to live with us in 2019. He did some training of his own, learning to hop on the scale to be weighed (he was 9 lbs.!), jump over cavaletti poles, and nose touch a target stick. Having a rabbit is an experience that I treasure. I loved to find new activities and forms of enrichment for him. I will never forget how much he loved to play with paper bags.
Mulligan
May 16, 2010-June 14, 2022
Adopted as a puppy, Mulligan was responsible for sending my life into a new direction as a dog trainer. At twelve years old, his favorite things were rolling in the grass, sniffing, barking, committing stufficide with his toys, French fries, and painting. He earned his AKC Trick Dog Novice title (TKN). In 2021, he won an award from The Academy for Dog Trainers for “Best +CER” for videos of him happily getting an injection. He loved learning new things, the more complicated, the better. He taught me the importance of accepting dogs for who they are. Mulligan was known by my students for his raucous barking and goofy character.
Lucy
2001-May 3, 2022
Lucy was a large, neutered male cat who came with our house when we moved here in 2014. He lived most of his life outdoors by his own preference but successfully transitioned to being an indoor cat two years ago after an accident compromised his mobility and we discovered his hearing loss. He enjoyed the occasional outdoor snooze in the sunshine, getting his nails trimmed, and crashing classes with his yowling. Lucy taught me that cats enjoy positive reinforcement training (especially with freeze-dried minnows), and reminded me that every animal is an individual.