Alpine Dog (TM)
Alpine Dog (TM)
I finished my certification from CATCH Canine Trainers Academy in 2016. They are from a purely positive school of training which gave me a huge base to begin my business.
The first four years of my training career were spent as lead dog trainer at my local dog rescue. The experience that I built working with dogs directly in the rescue kennel system for four years was invaluable. That is probably the hardest work I'll ever encounter in my career. The education I received through the dogs at the rescue and my continued education after CATCH, led me to move my training methods over to a balanced form of training.
I am alumni through Tony Ancheta and The Koehler Method of Dog Training. I received my certificate of completion in Advanced E collar Training with Tyler Muto and have also completed continuing education seminars with Jay Jack, Next Level Dogs; Play as the way and with Heather Beck's K9 lifeline 3D course; Dealing with Difficult Dogs. In January 2020, I earned my certificate in The Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashio and began my Behavior Certification process with The Ethology Institute. I have also completed several on line courses based on behavioral modification as well as completing the original and most recently updated My Dog Camp curriculum.
My biggest professional accomplishment to date is achieving my certification with Ivan Balabanov and his school, Training Without Conflict! This is a big deal, and I'm proud to bring to you the best training methods in our field of dog training!
I am proud to announce that I am a Certified Training Without Conflict (TWC) Dog Trainer. After an intense year of studying history, science, learning theory, and the concepts behind Ivan Balabanov’s play based training, I am happy to extend the education I have received to you and your dogs. I focus on your relationship with your dog, what your dog is genetically bred to do, and playing games in order to achieve the ultimate goal in making your dog be the best it can be. TWC methods use toys for reward instead of food. I have found that my dogs are much happier being free to move and run during our training sessions. I have also found that this method of training is WAY more fun for me, and for my dogs which gets me better and more reliable results. TWC is an excellent way to start your puppy’s training the absolute right way as soon as you bring them home. If your dog is older and needs to learn how to play, I can teach you the concepts and help you teach your dog how to play and tap into its genetic instincts to gain momentum in your training. Watch my personal journey on Facebook and Instagram with the newest member of my family, and Alpine Dog adventure team, Fury. He is a White Swiss Shepherd and is being trained exclusively with TWC concepts. I’m thrilled to not have to be stuck to a bag of treats which I find don’t work in sticky situations… and imagine not having to take your mittens or gloves off in order to train through the winter??!! My dogs love their toys and its so much easier to keep their attention on me instead of everything out in the environment. I feel very fortunate to have learned what I have and am so excited to bring you the latest and absolute best concepts in dog training!
I have found that some dogs need a bigger tool box to be successful in life. Beginning a life from rescue in a new home is not an easy transition for your dog. Neither is leaving its litter and mom and entering a huge world outside of your breeder's home. Each dog I work with is completely different. So are their owners. I will customize my training programs to fit the individual needs of each dog and with the owner in mind. We will do this together during our initial consultation. If you choose to use positive based training methods, we will absolutely come up with a plan that uses positive reinforcement and food based training. If you decide these methods are not working for you the way you would have liked, we will re-visit our training plan and change it!
It is my goal to make training fun and easy for everyone involved! My mission is to help keep dogs out of the shelter and in their homes. I train rescue dogs so they become more adoptable. I also help those dogs and their forever humans to form that bond that is necessary when they finally go home after adoption day. I also help train those crazy cute puppies to grow up into fantastic, well balanced dogs. The quality of your training and making your dog be someone, is most important to me. This is why I choose to follow the standards that IACP expects me to hold for my dog and human clients. If I feel our situation is beyond my scope of practice, I will refer you out to someone who is more qualified to work with your dog.
I was a Licensed* and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist holding my license under the Florida Medical Board. I owned and operated my own Injury Rehabilitation and Craniosacral Therapy practice for 20 years after beginning my career in a South Florida Chiropractic office five years prior.
I (semi) retired from massage therapy to becom
I was a Licensed* and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist holding my license under the Florida Medical Board. I owned and operated my own Injury Rehabilitation and Craniosacral Therapy practice for 20 years after beginning my career in a South Florida Chiropractic office five years prior.
I (semi) retired from massage therapy to become a REALTOR* I was taught by the absolute best of the best in the industry and was very proud to say that I was a RE/MAX Agent. By no choice of mine, my dog training career chose ME! Through my pathway as a REALTOR* I found my heart dog and my true passion by adopting Brick from All Breed Rescue. The beginning to Brick Approved K9 Performance began through training with Brick. He allowed me to make mistakes, and gave me much needed hands on education on how to talk dog. We became a certified therapy dog team with Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Most of all, Brick changed my life by teaching me true passion in dog training. It wasn't long before I left another career to become a full time dog trainer and owner of Brick K9.
*both licenses are inactive and I am now training dogs professionally full time.
I have a passion for dogs and animals in need. I also love to help people fulfill their biggest goals in mind. In Massage therapy, that meant living a pain free life. In Real Estate, that meant buying a home. In the pet trade, this means having an obedient dog that listens. It means having a dog that comes back to you when you ask them. I
I have a passion for dogs and animals in need. I also love to help people fulfill their biggest goals in mind. In Massage therapy, that meant living a pain free life. In Real Estate, that meant buying a home. In the pet trade, this means having an obedient dog that listens. It means having a dog that comes back to you when you ask them. It most importantly means, having that amazing connection with your dog. Everyone deserves that!
I am happy to be able to carry forward the key parts to both my massage and real estate careers into the pet industry. I was bound to follow strict laws and rules with both licenses, that I promise to continue to hold true to my person. You can feel confident in my business sense, and that I will be ethical and dependable.
I am a savvy business owner, who can do anything I set my mind to.I do not give up very easily and love being challenged but I do love to have fun. Believe me, when I am outside with these pups, I am in my glory. How much more fun is that?! I can’t wait to include your dogs into Brick’s and my pack, so text, call or email me today!!
What do I like to do when I'm not working? I don't give myself nearly enough time away from the dogs as I should. I just recently took my first vacation in six years and went to the IACP Dog Training Conference. While I was there, I took several days around conference to myself. It was the best thing I've done for myself in a very long ti
What do I like to do when I'm not working? I don't give myself nearly enough time away from the dogs as I should. I just recently took my first vacation in six years and went to the IACP Dog Training Conference. While I was there, I took several days around conference to myself. It was the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time.
Alpine Dog is a 7 day/week job for the majority of the year. I do take a few weekends off here and there, but find myself hiking or running with at least one dog if not more on my time off! I've always said, I'm not working if I am doing what I love to do!
I do however, like to ease into each morning. I get out for at least a walk or run every day. I get to the gym at least 4-5 days a week. That is my way to keep myself in shape to be able to keep up with these dogs! It's also MY time to unplug and just be for me.
While at the 2019 IACP Conference, it was reiterated that burn-out is very predominant in this industry. There are many top trainers in this industry, falling out of love with their passion for training. I take that very seriously. I don't ever want to feel that way for this business.
Tuesday and Friday Camp is my ZEN. So is my morning fitness time.
Brick Approved originated during my short career as a Realtor. Brick was my co-pilot in selling properties (mostly condos, but some homes as well) within associations that allowed dogs. I was the pet specialist on our team. I knew which properties allowed dogs, and how many were allowed to each unit. I also knew which associations were breed specific. Homes that allowed dogs were dubbed “Brick Approved”. He came to work with me every day, and helped me film videos to promote dog friendly properties that we had listed on our team. From there the name started to stick in our everyday life. Anything that was cool to do with dogs became Brick Approved. We had Brick Approved beaches, dining venues, hiking trails, etc. It made sense at the time, to name my newest dog friendly adventure, Brick Approved!