Growing up, animals—especially dogs—were my entire world. I was the kid glued to dog shows, memorizing every breed, and training my dog to do backyard agility. I went to zoo camps, observed animals, and soaked up every bit of knowledge I could. But dogs were always my center.
At 18, I lost my first dog, Ashaly, and wasn’t allowed to get another. It crushed me, but at 19, I saved up, moved out, and immediately got my first dog, Chevy—a beautiful, all-black German Shepherd. Grossly unprepared for the breed’s energy and needs, I quickly realized I was in over my head. Chevy knew commands, but walking her was impossible. She was reactive, got into dog fights, and was difficult to manage.
Determined to “fix” the situation, I got a male German Shepherd, Titan, with the intention of breeding. (Yes, I was that person back then.) He was even harder to handle—destructive, marking the house, human-aggressive, and reactive. Suddenly, I had two dogs who made my life small. I couldn’t go on walks, vacations, or have people over. They barked endlessly, got me in trouble with neighbors, and turned my home into a fortress. I had to leash them inside the house and fence off my windows to keep them from barking. Titan even had to remain crated whenever I left the house, right up until he aged and could no longer walk.
Yes, Chevy and Titan changed my life. Despite the difficult behaviors I dealt with for their entire lives, I kept them and loved them unconditionally. They taught me invaluable lessons about patience, responsibility, and the importance of proper training.
Years later, when my two shepherds aged, I got a new puppy, Tacoma. This time, I promised myself things would be different. I started training and socializing him at just 10 weeks old. I attended over 18 weeks of classes and completely fell in love with the process. Tacoma was the first dog I truly trained, and he sparked my interest in training—a passion that has now become my life’s work.
For the first time, I had a dog I could take anywhere—no reactivity, no aggression, and beautifully behaved on a leash. Learning e-collar training was a game-changer for me. It gave Tacoma reliable recall, and for the first time, I experienced the freedom of having a well-trained dog. We could camp off-leash, hike without worry, and enjoy life together. The little bit of reactivity he started to show disappeared. I became a true believer in the power of training.
I’ve lived the life of frustration—dogs destroying my home, limiting my freedom, and creating stress. My mission now is to help others escape that cycle. I want to show people that a well-trained dog can enhance your life, not limit it.
That’s why I became a dog trainer: to give people the tools to create a harmonious life with their dogs and to never feel stuck the way I once did. Chevy, Titan, and Tacoma each played a role in shaping my journey, and I am forever grateful for the lessons they taught me.
