A Little
About Me

I've been obsessed with dogs my entire life.

My mom was a dog trainer while I was growing up, so I was constantly surrounded by them. I'd spend my Saturday's helping my mom train dogs 1:1. By the time I was in high school I also began helping teach group training classes. It was an incredible part of my childhood.

So, did I become a trainer myself right out of high school?
Nope!

I BELIEVE IN:

Raising a dog you can trust, training with positive reinforcement, and recognizing that it'll require compassion, clarity and consistency to get great results.

I'm NOT ABOUT:

Using force or intimidation to train your dog, assuming every dog will learn the same way, or believing "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"

YOU CAN FIND ME:

Honestly? Look outside. That's where you can usually find me ;)

services >

My dog Neirah

I decided I wanted to go to university and follow my own path instead.
I became a dietitian and spent years working in pediatric nutrition for Alberta Health Services. I loved teaching & helping families, yet somehow did not feel entirely content.

I'd sit in my office and long to be outside instead. I realized that institutional work wasn't for me. What next though?

Then it struck me: I was always my happiest when I was with my dog. She's so well behaved that I often have people comment and ask about her. I took for granted that I knew how to train her since it was something so natural to me from my childhood. I also started noticing the training advice online that used unfair or cruel tools & methods.

I realized I was meant teach & help people, but I was doing it with the wrong subject! I WAS always meant to be working with dogs. I called my mom to tell her the news, and she basically said "I know".

I thought back to my rescue dog Burrito who had lived a terrible life before I got him. I never wanted another dog to experience what he had gone through.

Perhaps my teaching people to train their dogs with positive reinforcement could prevent unnecessary cruelty or more dogs ending up in shelters.

I knew I had to try.
Welcome to Happy Hounds!

I couldn't understand why some trainers suggest using force or alpha theory on a puppy! Didn't they know you can train your dog in a way that strengthens your bond instead of destroying it?

I BELIEVE IN:

Raising a dog you can trust, training with positive reinforcement, and recognizing that it'll require compassion, clarity and consistency to get great results.

I'm NOT ABOUT:

Using force or intimidation to train your dog, assuming every dog will learn the same way, or believing "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"

YOU CAN FIND ME:

Honestly? Look outside. That's where you can usually find me ;)

services that i offer >

My dog Neirah

I decided I wanted to go to university and follow my own path instead.
I became a dietitian and spent years working in pediatric nutrition for Alberta Health Services. I loved teaching & helping families, yet something always felt not quite right.

I'd sit in my office and long to be outside & moving instead. I realized that institutional work wasn't for me. What next though?

Then it struck me: I was always my happiest when I was with my dog. She's so well behaved that I'd have friends comment and ask about her. I took for granted that I knew how to train her. I watched friends and coworkers hire trainers that offered questionable advice or suggested tools that I deemed inappropriate.

I realized I was meant teach & help people, but I was doing it with the wrong subject! I WAS always meant to be working with dogs. I called my mom to tell her the news, and she basically said "I know".

I thought back to my rescue dog Burrito who had lived a terrible life before I got him. I never wanted another dog to experience what he had gone through.

Perhaps my teaching people to train their dogs with positive reinforcement could prevent unnecessary cruelty or more dogs ending up in shelters.

I knew I had to try.
Welcome to Happy Hounds!

I can't understand why some trainers suggest using force or alpha theory on a puppy! Don't they know you can train your dog in a way that strengthens your bond instead of destroying it?