Meet Our Team - Lead Trainers
----------------------------------------------
We adhere to the standards of science-based training outlined in the humane hierarchy code of ethics set forth by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers
----------------------------------------------
Wendy
AACE, SDJ, CCFC, CTDI, TCT, OTJ, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
AKC ATT, FIT, TRICK, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, & STAR Puppy Evaluator.
AKC Farm Dog Certified Judge (FDC).
AKC FETCH Judge.
Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Licensed Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, Stunt Dog Judge Official and Animal Actors Certified Evaluator by DMWYD. International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants - supporting member.
Wendy has over 35 years of experience in the animal field. She has worked in both domestic and wildlife rescue, Surgical research, veterinary (neurology and general practice) and Training and Behavior. Wendy is the owner and Founder of Midnight's Equine Rescue and Sanctuary. Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Supporting member of the International Association of Applied Behavior Consultants
Trainers, Staff & Apprentices
Grace
AACE, OTJ, SDJ, CTDI, CPDT-KA
ATT, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, S.T.A.R. Puppy and Trick Evaluator by the American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC FETCH Judge.
For her second career, Grace is fortunate to pursue her lifelong passion of working with dogs. Working as a trainer at Canines at Training for the past several years, Grace teaches classes to assist handlers in building strong relationships based on trust and positive interactions using evidence-based training methods. With purebreds or merry mutts, Grace has earned titles in CGC, obedience, rally, agility, stunt, and trick. In conjunction with her undergraduate degree in psychology, as well as her accreditation as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), and continuing education courses, Grace is actively pursuing certification as a Certified Behavior Canine Consultant to help owners navigate challenging behavior issues.
Kirsten
OTJ, CTDI, CPDT-KA, FDC, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, S.T.A.R. Puppy & Trick Evaluator by the American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC FETCH Judge
Kirsten’s love of animals began as a young child. She started riding horses at the age of three and competing at the age of five. When she was 14, she worked for a small animal vet. She then started pet sitting at age 17. Her next venture at age 18 was pursuing a position as a large animal vet tech. She realized she had an interest in the training aspect of animals and took a barn management position and an internship in natural horsemanship. From there she moved on to manage an Olympic riders barn. Kirsten’s next pursuit was managing a doggie daycare and boarding kennel. Her exploits in her various animal-related experiences lead her to realize dog training was her passion, and entered and completed the apprenticeship program at Canines At Training and is now a certified trainer.
Shana
CPDT-KA, OTJ, CTDI, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, S.T.A.R. Puppy and Trick Evaluator by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Shana has been an avid lover of animals since she was young. She was a youth volunteer at the Maryland Zoo and has always had a dog(s) in her life. Shana has found a passion in trick training, and other dog sports, and loves to use it to help build strong relationships between dogs and their handlers. There is nothing she loves more than to see a confident dog bonding with their owner. Shana has been going to Canines At Training for years with her own dogs and has followed her dream of becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the C.A.T. Apprentice program.
Vicki
CPDT-KA, OTJ
With over 30 years as an elementary school teacher, Vicki has combined her passion for teaching with her love of dogs by becoming a trainer. She has raised 4 golden retrievers and a golden/pyrenees mix. Vicki and her dogs have participated in obedience, canine good citizenship, tricks, rally-o, scent and agility over the years. She enjoys training her dogs to build a strong positive relationship and to keep them happily engaged in enriching activities. Vicki earned her Certified Professional Dog Trainer’s (CPDT-KA) license through the Intern/Apprentice program with CANINES AT TRAINING. While working towards this certification she trained Finley, her golden retriever, who now happily assists her in teaching clients new skills.
Corissa
Corissa is an breeder/owner/handler of some fantastic Borzoi's. She also teaches the Conformation class, and is our amazing groomer!
Ashleigh
We are delighted to have Ashleigh join our team! She has many years of experience as a grooming assistant and is an invaluable part of our staff!
Our Mascots & Canine Staff
Makeeda
Australian Shepherd
"Zabzoos Makeeda Moonshine" TORC-M3X TDCH SDCH CCF-CH ACT2 RA SDPRO CGCA CGCU TKE FDC ATT"
Got a cookie? Makeeda will try anything, anything at all if there's a promise of a tasty biscuit involved!
Makeeda has Champion titles in Stunt Dog, Trick Dog, and Fitness. She's earned Rally, Agility, Farm Dog, Temperament, TORC, CGC, CGCA and CGCU titles and was also one of the first dogs to earn the prestigious title of TORC Master!
Makeeda is one of our Canine Mentors for Service Dogs.
She's currently trying her paw in competition obedience and Scent work with her mom Wendy, by her side.
Banks
Labrador Retriever
"Chilbrook Glacier Bay" TORC M2X CGCA CGCU TKP RE SIN WC CC
Banks is a versatile boy. He has completed his AKC Trick performer, Rally Excellent and Canine Good Citizen titles. Along with those impressive titles, he has earned his Scent Work, Working Certificate, and Conformation Certificate.
Banks is also one of our Canine Mentors for Service Dogs.
He will be going for his CD in obedience soon and we will be working on scent work as our new adventure.
He is a wonderful demo dog for our group classes, go-to distraction dog for drop off training, along with being a neutral dog for reactivity training. Banks also manages most of our puppy play sessions.
He has become the ideal Labrador and partner for Kirsten!
Finley
Golden Retriever
"East Gate Aries” TORC-M, CGCA, CGCU, ETD
Ready for a Party? Finley’s your guy!
He has never met a dog or human he didn’t love!
Finley has earned TORC, and Trick titles and aspires to earn Rally titles as well. He has also earned Canine Good Citizen titles. He has tried his paw at Animal Acting, Stunt, and Agility with enthusiasm. Any time he has the chance to work with his human and canine friends is a great day for Finley.
He is always willing to demonstrate and practice his skills when his mom, Vicki, is teaching. On occasion he enjoys joining Banks to help supervise puppy play sessions!
Our Credentials & Professional Affiliations
Animal Actors Certified Evaluators
Home of the C.A.T. Troupe
About Canines At Training
Our Mission & Philosophy
Our Team & Our Credentials
At Canines At Training, our mission is to provide top-quality training services that helps dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships. We believe that every dog deserves the chance to learn and grow and to live their best life. Our philosophy is based on the idea that with the right training and guidance, every dog can bec
At Canines At Training, our mission is to provide top-quality training services that helps dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships. We believe that every dog deserves the chance to learn and grow and to live their best life. Our philosophy is based on the idea that with the right training and guidance, every dog can become a well-behaved, happy member of their family. We're committed to helping pet owners achieve this goal, one dog at a time.
Our Team & Our Credentials
Our Team & Our Credentials
Our team of experienced trainers is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve their goals. With years of experience and a deep love of dogs, we're committed to providing top-quality training services that make a real difference in the lives of pooches and their families.
Our team of trainers is made up of experienced professionals
Our team of experienced trainers is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve their goals. With years of experience and a deep love of dogs, we're committed to providing top-quality training services that make a real difference in the lives of pooches and their families.
Our team of trainers is made up of experienced professionals who have undergone extensive training and certification in the field of dog training and behavior. We're proud of our credentials and our commitment to ongoing education and professional development.
Our Approach
We take a positive, rewards-based approach to dog training that emphasizes communication, trust, and mutual respect. Our experienced trainers work with dogs of all ages and skill levels, tailoring their methods and approach to each dog's unique needs, abilities, personality, temperament, and learning style.
Our Facility
Our state-of-the-art training facility is equipped with everything we need to provide the best possible experience for dogs and their owners. From spacious training areas to advanced training equipment, we've got everything covered.