About US

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I have always had a love for all animals. We had a family dog as a child and I  got my first kitten for my eighth birthday. I rode horses, had gerbils, a bunny, and even a pet crawfish. My passion was fostered by my father, who was always rescuing injured birds and bunnies and relocating snakes for the neighbors who didn’t appreciate them. I continue this tradition in my own neighborhood, answering many calls seeking help with baby squirrels, hawks, ducks, and feral kittens.

While I have always loved dogs, I was primarily a ‘cat person’ until one day in 2012 I was rescued by a puppy I named, Baxter.  And, that’s when our journey began. 

I felt it was my job to help him be the best boy he could be, to be his advocate. So, I began doing research on basic obedience training and canine body language. We took classes together, as well as private lessons and tried some things on our own. I made a few mistakes along the way. But, still, Baxter happily obliged. Through all the confusion and frustration, he always believed in me.

In search of healthy treats for all our training, I developed an all natural dog treat recipe. By 2013, Baxter had convinced me to quit my job of 25 years with the State of Connecticut, and open a pet bakery.  So, I did. I obtained a commercial feed license and opened Whiskers & Whimsy Bake Shop, with Baxter in charge of quality control. 

In our spare time,  Baxter and I began pet sitting and walking some of his neighborhood friends, while their humans worked or went away on vacation. Bax and I enjoyed hanging out with his buddies all day so much,  in 2017, we closed the bakery and started Baxter’s Buddies Pet Sitting and became a full-time dog walker/pet sitter. Out of self-preservation walking 10-15 dogs a day, I would ask owners if I could teach their dogs not to jump, how to politely walk on a leash, or just some basic obedience. I was always drawn to the more difficult dogs.

In 2019, I decided to make it official and enroll in Animal Behavior College to become a certified dog trainer. After graduating with honors, I began teaching group obedience classes and managing a dog daycare.  The daycare provided invaluable opportunity to observe the dog's interactions and developing an understanding of their body language while developing skills to manage the dogs with out food rewards, but simply mutual respect. 

In 2023 I obtained my Service Dog Trainer Certification. I am a current member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Instructor/Evaluator, and currently studying for my CPDT-KA certification with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Baxter and I live in Waterford, Connecticut with his two can brothers that he raised from 4-weeks old.  We work from our home doing private training sessions and in home boarding.  Baxter is my official Pawfice Assistant and spends his days being a good boy napping , when he’s not  entertaining our guests or making new friends.  In his spare time, he likes to take me to the beach or to a local park for an adventure and we practice training games. Yep! Baxter is 10 and we STILL train!!

I am a certified positive reinforcement trainer.  What does that mean?  I DO NOT use  prong, choke, or shock collars, no touching/molding, leash or aversive corrections or punishment,  I only use reward based techniques designed to help you motivate your dog.  It's your job to be cool enough that your dog want's to listen to you. Your dog decides what is rewarding (cool) or aversive (not cool).  

There is a misconception that dog trainers hold the magic secret to a well behaved dog.  Dog training isn't witchcraft.  The techniques I use are based on science. Learning (for both you and your dog) takes time, patience, and practice,  practice, practice. Did I mention practice?

My approach to training is about communication and relationship /team building, learning how to 'speak'in a way your dog can understand, and how to listen to your dog's  response.  I could simply teach you how to make your dog sit, or I can teach you how to communicate with one another so you can navigate all of life's adventures and challenges as a team. 

Combining positive reinforcement training techniques and the ability to understand feedback from your dog, enables you to set your dog up for success, develop a strong training relationship built on trust, and achieve your training goals.

All our private training sessions come with a training plan, written step-by-step-training instructions, online practice logs, and assessment tests to track your progress.  So, there will be homework.  

Dog training isn't witchcraft.  It's science.  It takes time, consistency, practice and patience.