My name is Kristen and I  am the owner of Dogology WNY. In addition to being a dog trainer and behavior consultant, I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have been working in this field for ~15 years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and English from SUNY Geneseo and a Masters of Science in mental health counseling from Canisius College.

For the past 10+ years I have been an active volunteer in local rescue. That started when I saw a dog posted on Facebook that needed a foster - he was first on a rural shelter’s euthanasia list because he had been surrendered by his owners (so there was no hold time, like there is for strays). He looked just like our resident dog at the time, and became our first foster dog - and our first “foster failure”. Since then we have fostered over 80 dogs (and only “failed” twice more!). But that first foster failure dog - Gideon - had some fear and reactivity issues that began my dog training journey and lead me to pursue training and behavior as a second career - eventually enrolling in Victoria Stilwell’s Academy for Dog Training and Behavior and then pursuing my certification with the Council for Professional Dog Trainers and accreditation with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. I have also completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course and LEGS Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediator Course, as continued education is very important!

My areas of focus in dog behavior are reactivity, fear, aggression, and puppy development. I do private lessons, group class, and virtual lessons.  I also teach dog sports - K9 Nose Work and dock jumping. I am currently an Associate Nose Work Instructor with the National Association of Canine Scent Work, anticipating my full certification later in 2023. 

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I also provide counseling for pet owners on a limited basis; working with people struggling with any pet related stress, grief, or trauma such as loss of a pet, managing a pet's illness or behavior concern, or having to rehome or return a pet. Few therapists are as familiar with dog behavior as I am!

I currently live with my four dogs and husband in Niagara County. My dogs have titles in dock jumping, barn hunt, nose work, CGC, and my oldest and best boy is a therapy dog with TDI and the SPCA’s Paws for Love Program.