My Story...
I am Lamorinda born-and raised, and incredibly grateful to help my community. Like many dog trainers and dog lovers, my history with dogs started in childhood. I grew up with two family pet dogs, and enjoyed going to group puppy training classes with my mom. During my undergraduate at UC Davis, I acquired a pit bull-mix, Kiyah, who led me to the world of dog sports and advanced obedience training. Together, we trained in dock diving, IGP/Schutzhund, French Ring, and Nosework, and earned a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award, Canine Good Citizen Urban (CGCU), and a BH, an obedience title in the German working dog sport of IGP/Schutzhund. IGP is a three-part sport including obedience, tracking, and protection. Unfortunately, Kiyah never had the physical soundness to train consistently enough to trial and earn higher level titles. With the desire to continue my learning in dog sport, I acquired my first working puppy, a Belgian Malinois, named Bogie. Bogie and I earned our BH this year, and are working towards higher levels in IGP. I love being able to give working dogs an outlet for their genetics, and training in dog sports has greatly enhanced the bond I have with my personal dogs. However, you don't need to train in sports to have an amazing bond with your dog--the bond between a pet and owner can be profound, and I certainly experienced this in childhood.
You might be wondering where I learned how to train dogs professionally? After college, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers intensive Immersion Program in Santa Rosa on a scholarship, where I learned from one of the top trainers in the country, and world-renowned dog trainer, Michael Ellis. I continued at the school after my Immersion Program, to assist in class as a staff trainer, where I demonstrated training techniques and helped guide other students in their skill development. I am happy to be settled in the Bay Area, helping my community have a safer, easier and happier relationship with their pets and or working dogs.
You might be wondering where I learned how to train dogs professionally? After college, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers intensive Immersion Program in Santa Rosa on a scholarship, where I learned from one of the top trainers in the country, and world-renowned dog trainer, Michael Ellis. I continued at the school after my Immersion Program, to assist in class as a staff trainer, where I demonstrated training techniques and helped guide other students in their skill development. I am happy to be settled in the Bay Area, helping my community have a safer, easier and happier relationship with their pets and or working dogs.
My Philosophy...
Faster is not always better. Too often, dog trainers use only one type of training method for every dog, aiming to produce the quickest results. Yet, there is no cookie-cutter method for dog training. Dogs and their humans are unique, and training should be approached with this in mind. This is why I have decided to start a business that uses flexible training methods that are specific to each family and dog, and teaches owners a variety of humane and safe skills to maintain an obedient dog, and prevent, manage, and/or eliminate unwanted behaviors.
Education is everything. Many dog trainers focus on the dog, and forget or are unable to properly educate and communicate with the owner. This leaves owners feeling less informed and less in control. Teaching has always been a part of my professional and personal life, and I am dedicated to teaching my community. When people receive the education and support on dog training and dog ownership that they need, they become smarter and more successful community members, and happier pet owners.
Finally, people often say, "I want my dog well-trained, but I don't want them to be a robot," or "I don't need my dog to be perfectly well trained." My usual reply is this: the more training your dog has, the more freedom your dog can have, and the more experiences you can enjoy with your dog! My dogs are frequently off-leash outdoors, travel with me often, and express their unique personalities every day. I don't know about you, but I find extreme joy in watching my dogs be free, knowing that they are responsive and safe! While there is no shame in training the bare minimums, life with a completely trained dog is much more rewarding and relaxing.
If you want to know more about me or my training approach, please email, call, or set up a free consultation!
- Hillary Bressler
Education is everything. Many dog trainers focus on the dog, and forget or are unable to properly educate and communicate with the owner. This leaves owners feeling less informed and less in control. Teaching has always been a part of my professional and personal life, and I am dedicated to teaching my community. When people receive the education and support on dog training and dog ownership that they need, they become smarter and more successful community members, and happier pet owners.
Finally, people often say, "I want my dog well-trained, but I don't want them to be a robot," or "I don't need my dog to be perfectly well trained." My usual reply is this: the more training your dog has, the more freedom your dog can have, and the more experiences you can enjoy with your dog! My dogs are frequently off-leash outdoors, travel with me often, and express their unique personalities every day. I don't know about you, but I find extreme joy in watching my dogs be free, knowing that they are responsive and safe! While there is no shame in training the bare minimums, life with a completely trained dog is much more rewarding and relaxing.
If you want to know more about me or my training approach, please email, call, or set up a free consultation!
- Hillary Bressler