At Steady Paw Dog Training, dogs have always been more than pets — they’ve been family. From my very first rescue, Whiskers, to Archie, Tess, Gertie, Suki, Acacia, and now Casper, Skye, and Frodo (better known as The Fluff Dynasty), I’ve spent a lifetime surrounded by rescue dogs. Each one taught me something new about patience, trust, and the power of clear communication.

My journey into training started as a child, helping with the family dogs, and grew into a lifelong passion. As an adult, I once hired a local trainer for guidance — only to be told I didn’t need them because I already understood what to do. That moment gave me the confidence to turn my passion into something bigger: helping others. That’s how Steady Paw was born.

Beyond dogs, my day job has always been working with children in the outdoors — from school groups to summer camps, and even a year dedicated to mentoring disaffected youth. What I discovered is that the principles are strikingly similar: patience, structure, consistency, and a balance of encouragement with firm boundaries. The same approach that helps a struggling teenager find their place can help a nervous or reactive dog learn to trust.

With over 35 years of hands-on experience, my training philosophy blends positive reinforcement, clear leadership, marker training, and fair corrections when needed. I believe every dog deserves structure, guidance, and the chance to shine — and every owner deserves a peaceful, happy home.

My mission is simple: to help owners give their dogs the life they deserve, and to build stronger bonds based on trust and respect. Whether it’s obedience, behavior issues, or the special journey of rehabilitating a rescue, I work with both dogs and their humans to create lasting change.

Because when a dog feels steady, the whole home does too. 🐾