TipTopTails Dog Training

Successful dog training is all about teamwork and every great team needs a coach.  That’s where I come in!

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT), which means I passed a national certification exam given by an independent testing agency after accruing over 300 hours as an instructor. 

I’ve had over eight years of experience working with dogs and their owners.  Before founding TipTopTails, I was the Head Staff Trainer for AnimalSense Canine Training & Behavior, voted one of the top training schools in the Chicago area by the readers of Chicagoland Tails Magazine.  I also worked for the Animal Care League in Oak Park, Illinois, training dogs in the shelter awaiting new homes.

I started off my dog training career just like you – as a student.  Even though I grew up on a small farm with dogs, cats, horses, chickens and geese, when I got my first dog I was frustrated by my inability to get through to him.  The traditional correction methods I learned at puppy class just didn’t work, and I didn’t know any other way to train. 

It seemed like there had to be a better way.

My life changed when I learned about positive reinforcement training.  This training method emphasizes showing your dog what to do and rewarding your dog for getting it right.  Finally, my dog and I could train with cooperation instead of confrontation. 

Going to training classes was so interesting and so much fun that I asked the instructor to let me observe additional classes, and that turned into a year-long internship.  I had spent ten years working as a litigation attorney after graduating from Bucknell University and the University of Michigan Law School.  Now it was time for a change.  I became a dog trainer. 

Today, I am lucky enough to work with other dog owners and my goal is to enhance your daily life with your dog.  Whether you want to bring a new puppy into your home, teach your adult dog good manners, or spend some time learning fun new tricks with your best friend, I’m here to help. 

When I’m not training your dogs, I’m doing a variety of other dog-related things.  I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and regularly attend seminars and read trade journals to stay up to date with the most current information about dog training and behavior.  I also serve as a board member and volunteer for Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven, and volunteer for Central Indiana Lab Rescue and Adoption.  

I live in Grand Junction with my husband Matt and our four dogs: Boomer, a Labrador retriever; Sammy, a golden retriever; Mandy, a Labrador retriever; and Hemi, a Rottweiler mix pup.  Sammy has two titles in Rally obedience and two agility titles.  He also enjoys tricks and freestyle, and is a registered Delta Society Pet Partner and Reading Education Assistance Dog.  Mandy is being trained to find lost cats and dogs by Matt, who is a Missing Animal Response Technician (yes, my husband is a pet detective) through Missing Pet Partnership.  Boomer, the elder statesman of the pack, keeps busy supervising the younger dogs, patrolling the fence, and barking at our cats, Colby Jack and Pepper Jack.