We’re all a little wild

Embrace your dog for who they are. We’re here to help you support them in becoming their best selves.

Even with a combined 25+ years as professional dog trainers, we continue to learn from every single human and dog we work with.

We prioritize animal welfare and collaborate with the human end of the leash to create a learning plan that helps your dog feel supported, and helps you reach your goals.

We draw from our wealth of experience with a wide range of ages, breeds, and behavioral issues, and we are inspired by many world-renowed trainers including Dr Susan Friedman, Grisha Stewart, Suzanne Clothier, Kathy Sdao, Chirag Patel, Leslie McDevitt, Shade Whitesel, Ken Ramirez, Hannah Branigan, along with many more.

Who are we?

We’re good friends. We’re colleagues. We’re dog guardians just like you!


  • She/Her

    Experience: 14 years as a Professional Dog Trainer

    Certification: CPDT- KA

    I am a Pacific Northwesterner who has called Portland home for the past 20+ years. I have always been drawn to animals and nature, but it wasn’t until my early 20s that I began working with dogs, and felt a calling to understand them on a deeper level.

    In 2007 I adopted Clyde, a gentle and wise German Shepherd Mix, and a year later I adopted Nora, a feisty and affectionate Australian Shepherd Mix, and together we embarked on my journey into animal behavior. After completing a mentorship with Casey Newton (founder of Wonder Puppy) and Taylor Rezvani (founder of Whole Dog Academy), I spent the following years gaining experience running my own business, working alongside a team, sitting on the board for an animal welfare non profit, teaching and mentoring other dog trainers, doing community outreach, dog hiking and walking, going to seminars, and teaching group classes, puppy socials, and private lessons.

    While Clyde and Nora are no longer with me, they will forever be a part of my heart and I am so grateful for everything they taught me.

    In 2021 I adopted a 9 month old Pitbull/Husky/Supermutt (listed as a Border Collie mix, haha) from a Texas rescue, and named her Fern! While Fern bonded to me and my household with ease, I quickly began realizing that my little untrained adolescent pup was very fearful around new people and new situations, and displayed pretty intense leash reactivity towards dogs. I had no idea at the time that Fern would become the biggest part of my own healing journey. As I began to help Fern feel safe, supported, and able to self regulate, I found myself healing those tender parts of myself as well. While Fern has progressed leaps and bounds in the past few years, I know that Fern’s tender heart and wild spirit are parts of her that I never want to change.

    When I am not working with dogs and their humans, you can find me cooking vegan food, doing yoga, tending to my many houseplants, and of course frolicking outdoors with Fern.

  • they/them

    Experience: 10 years as a Professional Dog Trainer

    Certification: CCUI (in progress), CPDT-KA (temporarily lapsed while I was taking a break from working with clients while healing a brain injury)

    From an early age, I knew I wanted to share my life with dogs. While I grew up with lots of cats, I was always so drawn to the dogs that walked down my Portland neighborhood streets, and was always eager to befriend my neighbors so I could interact with their dogs at every opportunity!

    My first dog teachers were all SE Portland neighbors: two Boxers, two labs, a beagle, and an Australian Cattle Dog. I loved watching them and learning to read their body language - a new and intriguing second language to me. I learned to love the variety that the species has to offer. The differences and similarities between breeds became a lifelong fascination.

    To be able to really see a dog for who they are and build a training plan that honors them, I believe it's critical to keep in mind what their relatives were bred to do, what makes them different from other breeds or local groups, what they enjoyed, and what the societal expectations were for those dogs at that time.

    When I moved into adulthood, I was so overjoyed to finally be able to get a dog. Dax (a Pointer mix) was my first sidekick, and his legacy is strong. He taught me a lot about creative reinforcement strategies, patience, a sense of humor, and the importance of finding outlets for undesirable behavior. His photos (and a commissioned painting!) live on my walls for eternity, and his lessons have gone on to benefit thousands of clients.

    Bear (11yo Mini American Shepherd) is my senior dog, and he has been my most impactful teacher, showing me how to navigate reactive and aggressive behavior with love and grace. Boone is our middle child (7yo Border Collie mix), and Eno is our puppy (1yo Australian Shepherd).

    I trained at Wonder Puppy for about 9 years, managed the facility for 5 years, and I taught for Whole Dog Academy for 4 years. Over the last 10 years, I've personally worked with hundreds of clients in private sessions, group classes, puppy socials, adventures, and drop-off training.

    When I'm not training my own dogs or watching countless seminars, my partner and I enjoy dispersed camping, long drives on unnamed roads, craft beer, spending quality time with friends and family, and eating all the amazing food that Portland has to offer.