I started Freak on a Leash in 2015 because I am passionate about positive reinforcement training and teaching people the kindest ways of interacting with their dogs. I am a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). I am also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Family Dog Mediator (https://www.familydogmediation.com/), and Fear Free Certified Professional.

My specialty is treating challenging behaviors like aggression, anxiety, and fear and I am thoroughly educated in treating challenging behaviors safely and kindly. One of my highest priorities is ongoing education. I stay current on the latest science-based methods of training, allowing me to help you get the best results in the shortest amount of time.

Lasting behavior change takes patience and teamwork. Dogs are motivated by many things and we can find reinforcement that works; sometimes we just have to get creative! If crocodiles, dolphins, and wolves can be trained with reinforcement, why use painful devices on your best friend? I want you and your dog to live happily together, and I am confident I can help you reach your training goals.

Certifications:
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) with IAABC
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA) with CCPDT
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) with CCPDT
Professional Member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)
Certified Stunt Dog Judge
Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)
Pet FirstAid / CPR Certified
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructor
AKC TemperamentTest Evaluator (ATT)

Sampling of attended workshops and seminars:

• ClickerExpo
• Dogs with Big Feelings conference
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Michael Shikashio’s Aggression Cases from A-Z
• Aggression in Dogs conferences
  Dr. Tim Lewis – The Biology of Dog Aggression 
• Behavior Bible – School of Canine Science
• L.E.G.S. In Motion conference
• Living and Learning with Animals course

I have been in the dog world for almost three decades. After spending my childhood consumed with horses, I got my first dog in college which began my journey in the world of training and more specifically dog sports, which became a primary focus for over 10 years.

In 2009 I was exposed to the field of behavior analysis. This started an interest in the science of learning and behavior and a deeper dive into positive reinforcement and rewards-based training, eventually paving the way for my interest in professional training. I find the study of behavior so fascinating and regularly continue my education in all things behavior modification.

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through CCPDT and Fear Free Certified. I enjoy helping dogs of all ages with everything from foundational training and socialization, to addressing challenging behavior issues. I also love volunteering my time with service dogs in training and shelter animals, and am a team facilitator and teaching assistant for Atlas Assistance Dogs.

I currently have just one dog, a young pit bull/beagle mix named Topsy who is a high energy, super fun “foster fail.” She loves being  busy and training for various sports.

My training career started with a reactive dog I adopted in 2017. I had to learn tons about behavior modification and reactivity to help him succeed in the world, which started my love of interpreting and identifying behavior. I spent time shadowing a professional trainer and earned my professional dog training certification in 2019 from the respected Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

Teaching people how to navigate reactivity with kind and humane techniques is what I find most rewarding. It is life-altering not being able to enjoy your dog to the fullest due to reactivity. I also enjoy helping dogs struggling with aggression, fears and phobias, separation anxiety, or other behavior issues.

I live in Smithfield, VA and share my life with a gaggle of misfit bully breed mixes and an Australian Shepherd. Rescue dogs are a big part of my life, and I often share my home with foster dogs from a local bully rescue. I love seeing dogs from hard circumstances relax and learn, and preparing them for their forever homes.

I train and compete with my own dogs in sports like Fast CAT and Barn Hunt. There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing a dog follow their natural instincts!

 I have always been passionate about animals, and my journey into the dog training world began with hands-on experience in animal care and behavior modification. With a background as a Veterinary Assistant, I have worked with a wide variety of animals, utilizing low-stress handling techniques to create positive veterinary experiences and ensure the well-being of the pets in my care.

My interest in the science of behavior and training led me to become a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College, and I am proud to hold certifications in Fear Free Shelter and Animal Training. I have extensive experience in creating behavior modification plans, helping owners manage challenging behaviors, and instructing group classes.

I have worked with shelter animals, assisting with behavior assessments and implementing behavior plans to help dogs adjust and thrive in new environments. My work with the Virginia Beach SPCA and Jacksonville Humane Society also gave me the opportunity to run community programs, offering free behavior assistance to prevent surrenders.

My focus has always been on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets, whether in the shelter, at home, or in the veterinary clinic. I find great joy in teaching cooperative care techniques, allowing dogs and their owners to work together for a happier, less stressful experience.

Currently, I continue my education in behavior modification and positive reinforcement, always striving to help dogs and their families build strong, lasting relationships.

From a young age, I have held an abiding passion for animals. Our family had a Sealyham Terrier and cat until I was nine, when my first horse and dog joined the mix—a Border Collie/Greyhound mix. My involvement with 4H marked the start of my equestrian and canine sports training journey, which has continued to this day. 

While working at an Arabian horse training facility, I obtained my first Australian Shepherd who soon found success competing in various forms of obedience as well as conformation shows—paving the way for our current trio of Australian Shepherds. We also have a sweet Pomeranian along with two cats.

I have found dog sports to be a great way to connect with my dogs, as well as provide enrichment for them. Aside from sports such as Conformation, Rally, Agility, Herding, and Drafting, we also pursue Dock Diving and dive deep into the world of Scent Work (Nose Work). I enjoy teaching Scent Work since it is such a great sport for confidence and team building. Dogs are simply amazing!

I have been training and competing in dog sports for 16+ years. This type of training has highlighted, for me, the importance of and need for true “teamwork” with your canine partner. We adopted a rough collie, Chesnee, when she was 9 months old, and we quickly learned she wasn’t really interested in people. As much as I wanted us to learn about agility, she just wanted to chase squirrels – and me! We spent the next 4 years doing sheep herding, which helped us develop a working relationship and a deep teamwork bond. After that, I was able to begin training agility with her. That experience taught me that relationship-building is the foundation for any dog sport. It’s also the relationship, not the accomplishments, that keeps the game fun for both you and your partner.

When I started dog agility training, I did not expect to compete; in my mind, it was just a hobby we did in our spare time. It didn’t take long for the agility bug to bite! Chesnee and I did agility for 6 years and earned a combined 16 NADAC Agility Trial Championships (NATCHs), 10 regular NATCHs and 6 Versatility NATCHs. We also earned multiple Hall of Fame awards and the distinction of being the #1 Collie team in NADAC agility for her last 3 years (2015 – 2017). I am now training and trialing with my sheltie, Liv. We are working our way through the Open (intermediate) classes and solidifying our teamwork. I have also trained and competed in herding with my collie and Scent Work with another sheltie.

I retired from my day job 4 years ago as a Management Professor in the business school at ODU, teaching and researching topics related to employee and group development. I “practice what I preach” and apply all the knowledge gleaned about employee motivation to dog training and team development. 😊