About Me
And my dogs who help along the way
Vicki
Owner and head trainer
Vicki is a professional dog training with over six years of experience helping dogs and their owners build strong, respectful relationships through balanced training methods. Her journey in this field has been shaped by a deep commitment to ongoing learning and hands-on experience. She has had the opportunity to work with and learn from a diverse group of skilled professionals across the industry, which had broadened her understanding of canine behavior and effective training techniques.
She holds a certification in dog training from Animal Behavioral College, where she received a solid foundation in obedience training and the psychology behind canine learning. Continuing her professional development, she is currently enrolled in a certification program under Stephanie Vichinsky at the Method K9 Institute, where she is expanding her skills in behavior rehabilitation, e-collar training, and advanced obedience work.
Outside of her professional career, she lives with three incredible dogs of her own who challenge and inspire her every day. Each of them has played a role in shaping the training she is today, giving first-hand insight into the complexities and rewards of living and working with dogs of different personalities and needs.
Whether she is helping family with their new puppy, working through reactivity issues, or refining off-leash obedience, her goal is always to empower owners and create lasting changed for both ends of the leash.
Ringo
Demo Dog
Ringo is Vicki's 6 year old pitbull. He is the first dog she's ever rehabilitated from the shelter that she previously worked for. The first time she met Ringo he was a wild dog! In the shelter he was uncontrollable because of his strength and energy, making him a bit scary. She decided to foster him so she could give him extensive training at my home for a better chance at finding his forever home and- well, that was that. Since then he has helped her rehabilitate countless dogs and has been a great example of how, with just some leadership and clear communication, a crazy wild dog can turn into the best dog you've ever had.
Trek
Demo Dog
Trek is Vicki's 3 year old Wolfdog. He is 50% gray wolf with the other half being a mix of Malamute, German Shepherd and Alaskan Husky. Trek showed up at the shelter when he was 2 months old. He was struggling with the shelter environment because of his timid nature and need for a big amount of mental and physical enrichment. she took him into her home for some training and decompression and quickly realized he was not just a regular "shepherd mix" that everyone thought he was. The shelter had him tested and sure enough his nickname "wolfie" turned out to be appropriate. Since then, she has trained him through good times and bad. He has been unlike any other dog that she's trained. With major resource guarding issues, stranger danger (specifically towards men), extremely analytical of changes in the environment, and needs help on a daily basis to conquer irrational fears of the human world. With all that being said, he never ceases to amaze her. He is my most solid helper dog. He has helped rehabilitate aggressive dogs, fearful dogs and overly crazy dogs that may be too much for others. He has been a wonderful, unexpected, addition to her pack.
Dozer
Demo Dog
Dozer Vicki's my 4 year old mutt who came to her through a previous client at her previous job. He was severely insecure which looked like "aggression", had major resource guarding issues, would grip on to the gravel with fear when you tried to walk him and was having trouble with his house mate at his previous home. Now? He is her adventure dog, her paddle boarding buddy and the main dog that helped her raise Trek. He still has his issues that they are working on every day but he is a prime example of what giving a dog a second chance can do. With the right communication and education- dogs like Dozer can be successful in life. He is her constant work-in-progress but also her biggest success story. You may not see him in sessions but there is a good chance he will be a huge help with socializing your dog.
