About

Hi, I'm Alex! 

Like most animal people, I've always surrounded myself with animals. I grew up showing and training quarter horses and I've always had dogs.

I found myself working in veterinary medicine for five years both in private practice and in shelter medicine where I learned about small animal care and some behavior.

My interest in canine behavior came about after adopting a pitbull mix with high energy and high prey drive, Razz. I got her as a puppy who started out super dog-friendly and lovable, but by two years of age developed severe dog-reactivity and became dangerous to cats and other small animals.

I considered sending Razz to a board and train for a few weeks, but I felt that I was part of the problem and I needed to go to school just as much as she did. I have always valued doing the work myself. Teach a man to fish, or rather, teach me how to train my dog.

So I figured out how to become a better dog owner and a better leader for my dog. After a LOT of hard work, we've worked through the reactivity. We've come so far and she has helps me work other dog through their reactivity! Now, she even helps me with foster dogs and help teach polite play to other dogs.

The dog training business wasn't really started on purpose. I started pet sitting in 2020 while I was working on my Master's of Social Work.

I found that my pet sitting business started to morph into "while you stay with my dog, can you train my dog?" 

One thing led to another and before I could finish my degree, I had a full time dog training business! I still worked as a therapist for a little bit-and that taught me a LOT about how to talk with people about their dogs.

Now, Razz and I help dog people become better dog owners and dogs become better family members! 

When I'm not working with dogs, you can find me in a kayak, in a tent or on a horse.