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Hi. My name is Sarah. I love dogs (obviously),
but here’s some information about me.

BACKGROUND:

I first started training dogs in my college years as a part of a program to train mobility service dogs for people with physical disabilities. I learned to train various tasks, such as retrievals, turning on and off lights, pushing push plates, light mobility aiding, and opening and closing various objects. From here, I learned how brilliant dogs are and the potential they have to do amazing things.

Over the next several years, I learned everything I could from a variety of resources, mentorship programs, and trainers. My primary focus became learning how to most effectively work and communicate with both dogs and humans, since there are two ends to the leash who come to me for knowledge. While receiving education in pet dog training, I found dog sports and am actively involved in a few dog sport communities.

I currently have 5 dogs: Luna, Atlas, Data, Risk, and Token. They are my entire world and because of them, I have learned so much about dog behavior and how to live fulfilling, exciting lives together. They are the reason that I pursued dog training as a career. My passion truly lies in forming the best relationships with canines and helping equip owners with the tools and knowledge to be successful with their dogs.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY:

I am a complete trainer in Bartlett, Illinois. This means that I use operant conditioning (4 quadrant model) in my training. My training philosophy utilizes a wide variety of tools, from clickers to ecollars, as well as a variety of rewards, from toys to food to the environment itself. I understand that every dog is different, and therefore each dog will respond differently. Therefore, I continue to learn and apply methods that fit my clients and dogs best.

My main focus includes communication, clarity, motivation, and liberty - the ability to be at freedom to make appropriate choices. I also deeply believe in the concept of the layered stress model and its involvement in why our dogs behave the way they do. I work with a variety of pet dog and sport dog homes and always aim to meet the owner where they are at to be most successful.

My training philosophy lends nicely to the motivated owner who is willing to put in the work and is unique to each individual, and therefore it is extremely important that you are willing to put in the work.

I have experience working with pet dogs to novice level sport dogs. I have worked with fearful dogs, independent dogs, rambunctious puppies, reactivity cases, and even more. If you’re ready to make the commitment to bettering your relationship with your dog, contact me! My business is insured.

My dogs

Luna

Breed: American PitBull Terrier & Siberian Husky mix
DOB: 06/19/2017
Favorite Sport: Fast CAT
Titles: BCAT, CA, TKN, TKI, TKA, CGC, RN, RA

I rescued Luna in spring 2018. She taught me a lot about myself, the different aspects of play, different motivators in dogs, and how to work with a very independent dog. She has medium food and toy drive and loves to run around playing flirt pole. Luna is an extremely confident dog and has been my guinea pig through it all.

 

Atlas

Breed: Mountain Cur & Great Pyrenees Mix
DOB: 02/14/2019
Favorite Sport: Fast CAT
Titles: TKN, TKI, TKA, BCAT, RN

I rescued Atlas in summer 2019. As a shy, insecure puppy, Atlas found just about everything in the world scary. He taught me how to work on bravery, confidence building, unleashing suppressed drive, and communicating with more aloof dogs. He has lower food and medium toy drive and a very sweet disposition.

 

Data

Breed: Border Collie
DOB: 03/01/2020
Favorite Sport: Disc and Rally
Titles: NTD, RE, RA, RN, DS, DJ, DDP, TKN, TKI, TKA, TKP

I brought Data home in the summer 2020. Being my first sport prospect and first puppy since 9 weeks old, we worked on a lot of foundational skills for the first several months. Data taught me about harnessing extremely high drive, working with overarousal, sport foundations, and importance of play in puppy development. He has since retired from competitive sports due to an unfortunate accident with his knee, but we still have fun playing in the yard.

Risk

Breed: Border Collie
DOB: 10/11/2020
Favorite Sport: Agility and Disc
Titles: GCHB, AKC CH, UKC CH, DS, DJ, DDU, DDPE, RM2, RAE2, RE, RA, RN, PT, CSW-E, JHD, RACH

I brought Risk home in winter 2020. He is my first show prospect. We are playing in a multitude of sports, including conformation, agility, disc, dock diving, rally, and herding. He has taught me to work at the dog’s pace in front of me and opened up my world to a variety of sports. Risk has gone on to accomplish an incredible amount in his young years so far in nearly every sport we have trained in.

Token

Breed: Border Collie
DOB: 05/12/2023
Favorite Sport: TBD
Titles: UKC CH, AKC CH, RN, RA, PT, DDB

Token is my Hungarian import and hopeful herding dog. She comes from some incredible lineage and already shows a lot of promise as a training and working partner. We have mostly only shown so far, but I’m excited to get her started in other areas as she grows up.