ABOUT ME
My passion for training dogs began long before I was able to pursue a career in it. I started training and showing Rottweilers for confirmation in Junior AKC Rings when I was 12. I continued to compete in this arena until I began to prepare for a career with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). When I joined the ranks of PSP in 1999, I did so knowing that I would be pursuing a position on their K-9 Unit. In July of 2005, I was assigned my first canine partner, a Drug Detection Canine named Eros. That would begin my 17-year run as K9-50.
My training and experience include:
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, May 2023
- Handler for PA State Police in multiple disciplines (Narcotics, Explosives, and Human Remains) from July 2005 – December 2022
- Training Coordinator for PA State Police Canine Unit from July 2012 – December 2022
- Detection Canine Instructor Training Course (U.S. Border Patrol, El Paso, TX) in March of 2008 (12-week course)
- Instructor Recertification in 2010 (1 week)
- Human Remains Detection Canine Instructor (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) in June of 2012 (12-week course), received “TOP DOG AWARD” for highest academic standing
- Member of National Search Dog Alliance in 2012
- Principal Evaluator for National Search Dog Alliance
- Completed Qualification with FBI Forensic Canine Victim Recovery in May 2017
- Instructor Recertification in 2017 (1 week)
Certified to Administer
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program
- Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
- AKC Community Canine (Advanced level of CGC)
- Urban CGC
- Video Home Manners & Trick Dog Tests
Training with Positive Results
"Training the dog is easy. The owners are the hard part."
I have over 30 years of experience in training dogs and their owners to be able to effectively and confidently work together.
Setting Our Clients Up for Success
"What you allow the dog to do is what you are training the dog to do."
Everyone has different lifestyles, and every dog is different. Something as simple as a neighborhood walk can be frustrating or even dangerous when a dog is not trained properly. I can provide proper training techniques and solutions to ensure that you and your pet have the tools needed for success.
Providing Consistent Instruction & Training
"If you're giving a dog a command more than once before enforcing it, you're simply teaching the dog to count."
If you learn the proper commands, the right way to train, and put in the work, I can honestly say that I can help you to achieve the results!