Experience
During my fifteen-year career as a professional equestrian based in San Diego, many dogs came under my care and supervision, from clients' dogs to strays to my own personal dogs. Each individual needed some degree of training, but before that, they needed to be understood. While competing my personal dog Panzer, I helped coach in my IPO club to develop training programs to meet their goals. I have also worked closely with a former K9 handler from the Navy, both to help establish her rescue The Ddamien Project and to share knowledge and insights to this day.
After moving back to Santa Barbara, I sat in and learned from a variety of working dog disciplines, including law enforcement K9 training, search and rescue, and K9 Street League seminars. Additionally seeking out information and learning opportunities from trainers who specialize in developing Personal Protection Dogs, French Ring competition dogs, and IPO competition dogs.
Most recently, I spent a year at a Santa Barbara dog training company honing my training structure for working-type puppies and dogs and a variety of owners, forging partnerships and lasting, healthy relationships between dog and human. Here, I specialized in training dogs deemed “aggressive” or “highly reactive” to other dogs and humans. I’ve found that so often it’s not true aggression but a mismanagement of the dog and lack of clarity in communication. When the right expectations are set and healthy alternatives are offered, aggressive behavior often dissipates naturally, but it's all about understanding what motivates the dog.
Dogs are “man's best friend” and have been bred for thousands of years to be our friends and companions. I believe that everyone should enjoy their dogs and go on the greatest adventures together!
Tailored approach to achieving and maintaining your goals.
