For over 16 years, I have been professionally dedicated to the training, rehabilitation, and rescue of dogs, all of which has been a large part of my life since I was young. I have been involved in rescue for almost 20 years and have fostered and trained over 500 dogs in my home (and yes, a couple became foster failures).  I have testified as an expert against dog abuse as well as on behalf of dog owners.  A lifetime love and passion and the goal of my professional career is to educate people regarding responsible dog ownership, building a stronger bond, and exposing the fabulous journey of training and fun with your beloved canine. 

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I offer group classes, private training in your home & customized board & train programs in my home to assist you with your training needs.

I offer a variety of class options including, puppy classes, basic obedience, all levels of the sport of K9 Nose Work® from introduction up through the top levels of competition (scent detection), K9 Fitness/K9 Conditioning classes and programs, tricks/games, fear/aggression rehab and tracking and am a nationally sanctioned Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) through the National Association of Canine Scent Work and Certified Canine Athlete Specialist (CCAS) / K9 Fitness Instructor through Northeast K9 Conditioning.  I hold training seminars/workshops as well as national K9 Nose Work® trials/competitions throughout the year.

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My philosophy on training utilizes shaping behaviors, body language, voice commands, developing & establishing a positive & healthy relationship between owner and dog and always setting the dog up to succeed while stretching their knowledge and abilities.  I feel & advocate that although there may be some basic training for all dogs, training and rehabilitation is not across the board & not every technique works or is appropriate for every dog and family as each are unique, my training methods are designed to address the different family/dog situations & the various living styles of each.

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When I am not training my own dog, Ziva, a working Belgian Malinois, and/or teaching, I enjoy gardening, reading, regular exercise, jazz and classical music, and spending time with my family and friends.

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Although all of my dogs have taught me so much, the ones over the last decade have made the biggest impact on me, starting with my Malamute mix, Dakota.  Dakota came to me at 12 weeks and displayed genetic aggression from the day I brought him home. Despite 4 years of working with him, I sadly had to let him go as he was a danger to my children.  Dakota is the reason I do fear/aggression rehab and help as many over reactive dogs as I can and their owners.

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Haley, my first Belgian Tervuren came to me at 9 years old and I fell in love with the Belgian line.  She taught me a lot about how wonderful senior dogs are and to never count them out of fun and love and learning.  I was blessed to have her for almost 6 more years before she crossed over.

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Indy, my heart dog, my Zen dog was born in rescue as his mother came into the rescue group I was involved in and eight days later had eleven puppies.  I was blessed to watch him being born and held him in my arms 15 years later when it was his time to cross over.  Indy was an amazing dog in that he always looked at life in a peaceful and calm manner.  He was wonderful with every dog and every person and help out with many house calls and many reactive classes.

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Trace, my second Belgian Tervuren came to me at just over a year and was shy and reactive.  I spent most of his life working on this and he made a lot of progress despite a couple set backs of being attacked by a couple of dogs. Trace was what I called my class clown and a goofy boy his whole life.  Trace was all about having fun and being a kid at heart.  He was also my snuggler and could fit in the smallest areas just to get close to me, hence his nickname, Snuggle Bug in a Rug. Trace lived until just one month shy of his 15th birthday until he went to the Bridge.

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Beaner, my German Shepherd, came to me at about 2 ½ years old.  She was surrendered to the rescue I was with, came home with me as a foster after a Saturday pet adoption and when I woke up to her right in my face the next morning, I knew she was staying.  Beaner was my SAR dog and those who knew her know what I mean by saying she was a bull in a china shop. She wasn’t the most affectionate dog I’ve had but would come for love and affection when she wanted it.  To her, her job was to lay in her spot where she could look over her domain and keep us all in her sights and protect us. . .and of course put the boys and foster dogs in their place when needed. Beaner was diagnosed with stage 3 oral malignant melanoma at 12 and although I was told she would only live less than 2 months, through holistic treatment, she lived 18 wonderful and happy months before crossing over.

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Indy, Trace and Beaner, a/ka The Three Muskateers, due to their physical, mental and emotional ailments/illnesses ranging from bilateral hip dysplasia, other joint issues, IBD, Laryngeal Paralysis, EPI and Cancer, opened the world of raw feeding and holistic care and treatment and I am a firm believer using these feeding/treatment methods were the reason they lived as long as they did and as happy as they were.

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Now, my newest journey is filled with the laughter and challenges of a Belgian Malinios, A Sunday Kind of Love vom Blair Haus (Ziva).  This little spitfire has reminded me of the joys (and sometimes not so joyful) of puppyhood and opened up a whole new training world for me in the sport of Schutzhund (a German sport involving tracking, obedience and protection work).  She also is involved with K9 Nose Work, Dock Diving, Trick Training and has even tried herding to which she was a natural. I look at this girl every day and feel so blessed to have such an amazing partner who loves life so much and gives her all and then some in everything she does!

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All of my dogs have taught me so much from learning to live each day to the best of your ability, love others and yourself and take life with a grain of salt as it is too short to spend time or energy being mad, upset or evens sad. 

This was a plaque I found shortly before I lost Beaner and not only at the time totally described her but as time has passed, describes how she wanted me to look at life even years after she was gone.  Although Beaner would replace chocolate with cookies and wine for Martinis (don’t ask J), this is one of my favorite sayings and I try to incorporate this into my journey and my time with my family, my friends and especially my dogs!

 

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a glass of wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WHOO HOO what a ride!”

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