Get to know our trainers
Training Philosophy
Shelby believes in training the dog in front of you—recognizing that every dog learns at their own pace and requires individualized guidance. She emphasizes realistic goal-setting, a positive mindset, and keeping training sessions engaging and enjoyable for the dog. By focusing on clear communication, patience, and encouragement, Shelby helps owners build confidence while creating a safe, supportive learning environment that sets both dogs and their people up for lasting success.
Inspiration
Shelby’s love for dogs began early and naturally evolved into a career working with animals. Her journey into dog training was deeply inspired by her first German Shepherd, Stasi—a dog full of personality who challenged and motivated her to learn more about training and canine behavior. Through building a strong bond with Stasi, Shelby fell in love with the training process and the meaningful connection it creates between dogs and their owners. That experience solidified her desire to help others build the same kind of relationship with their dogs.
Professional Experience
Shelby graduated from Penn Foster with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Behavior and brings over 10 years of hands-on experience handling and training dogs. She began her career volunteering at a local animal shelter, gaining extensive experience working one-on-one with dogs from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout her professional journey, Shelby has placed and trained nearly 100 service dogs for handlers across the United States and has helped hundreds of pet owners throughout the DMV area develop strong, trusting relationships with their dogs. In addition to her training work, she has expanded into the world of conformation handling—an area she finds both rewarding and exciting.
Training Focus
Shelby specializes in obedience training, particularly with dogs between 6 months and 2 years of age. She enjoys helping dogs learn how to think, problem-solve, and engage with training in a meaningful way. Her experience spans service dog training, companion dog obedience, and foundation work that supports long-term success both in and out of the home.
Training with Shelby
Want to Join Our Training Team?
Join a team committed to ethical, positive reinforcement-based training.
We’re looking for qualified and experienced dog trainers who share our approach to compassionate, science-based training. If you have the skills, knowledge and dedication to support dogs and their families, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply to Join Our Team