I am an 18 year veteran teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools in New Mexico, a mom of 3 older children, mom to 4 of my own special dogs, and a longtime volunteer with NMDOG rescue. I am passionate about providing dogs and their people with enriching experiences to build positive, nurturing, and understanding relationships. I want to empower you to understand your dog from his or her perspective, and build your confidence in working with them.

I love to teach and I have broad experience with horses, dogs, children, and adults. Working with rescue dogs as well as my own dogs inspired me to become a certified dog trainer, and I was drawn to the Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training because I strongly believe in training with positive methods that build a strong bond between a dog and their person, rather than using intimidating methods or tools that create pain and fear. I train only with kindness and compassion, implementing positive reinforcement training, which is a method of training that uses rewards, such as treats, praise, and play, to encourage dogs to learn new behaviors. I believe that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train dogs because it is based on the principles of learning and motivation. When dogs are rewarded for good behavior, they are more likely to repeat that behavior in the future.

Do you have a new puppy or recently adopted a rescue dog? I will create a Basic Manners package just for you, based on your most important needs. I understand the frustration of having a dog that may bark, lunge, or balk with people, dogs, or moving objects, when you are on a walk or out and about. Or, a fearful dog that is shut down and afraid of the world. I will work with you and your dog using positive methods to develop skills that will build confidence in you, your dog, and strengthen the relationship you share, and calm those "big feelings". A wonderful, understanding relationship between you and your dog is very important to me! I provide ongoing support via email, text, and Zoom between sessions and beyond!

I am certified through the Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training (online), I completed a Master's Aggressive Dog course with Michael Shikashio, and I continue to build my knowledge by taking courses through the Grisha Stewart Academy, where my focus is dog behavior and using Grisha's method of Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT). I am a proud member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers and The Pet Professional Guild. I pledge that pain, fear, intimidation, or aversive tools are never employed in the training, behavior modification, care, or management of any pet I work with.