Passionate. Patient. Persistent, Positive. These are just a few of the characteristics that describe me. I know each animal is different, and I’ll work with yours to give them the specific guidance they need. Whether you’re thinking about rescuing a dog, have a new puppy, or already own a pet with behavioral problems, I am here to help. 

In 2004, I got my first dog; a Shiba Inu named Manny.  I had no idea what I was doing, how to train him or how to socialize him.  Because of my lack of knowledge and consistency, Manny developed many different problem behaviors ranging from eating drywall, to aggression, to anxiety.  I felt as if I had failed him and he deserved so much better than what i was giving him. 

After I was medically discharged from the Air Force I had to decide what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  This was my chance to fix the dog that I had inadvertently created. Since I love dogs and love to teach, training dogs seemed to be the most natural choice.  In 2012 I graduated from Animal Behavioral College's Dog Trainer program and opened my own business in Ohio.  A few years after that, my husband retired from the Air Force and we moved back to Colorado Springs.  While we were settling in, I took a job as a dog trainer at the local pet specialty store.  The training part of the job was great, but I didn't care much for retail.  Six months after I left the pet specialty store, I opened Connect with Canines and started doing in home private lessons.  Although it was going very well, I wanted to be able to offer my clients more services and learn about the must current training techniques.

In May 2017, I suspended my business for three months to attend Starmark Academy's Canine Training and Behavior Specialist  Program.  In July 2017, I graduated top of my class with a ton of new knowledge and hundreds of more hours of hands on experience.  In late 2017, we moved to St. Augustine, Florida where worked for a local non-profit I training service dogs for veterans with PTSD, MST and TBI. 

As rewarding as it was helping veterans regaining independence, I missed the creativity and problem solving that comes along with behavior modification.  I returned to running my business full time but this time fully crossing over in my training techniques.  Through continuing education, trail and error and experience, I learned the value of slowing down and providing the dog more agency. It has always been a more humane approach but now I see it is also a lasting one.  I have found great joy in educating pet guardians, arranging the environment for the dog's success and watching the dog start to enjoy the ability to choose. 

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, a  professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.