FAQs

Welcome to Dog Training Elite, Little Rock. I’m proud to be part of the Dog Training Elite Brand and honored to be part of the Arkansas community. I come from a corporate background but have had animals in my life long before that, including three generations of Akitas. As part of a previous chapter in So Cal, I was an animal masseuse and worked on canines and equines, with a few felines dabbled in there. I never expected to be a trainer, but each and every animal that crossed my path has brought me here, to DTE Little Rock. I understand the feeling of everyone looking at you, with a dog they’re afraid of because they don’t understand it. The frustrated point you come to realize that somewhere along the line you lost being the leader and your dog has taken over. My passion is to restore that relationship between you and your dog, to help bridge the gap so you can communicate and make you a team that you have always dreamed of.

A little about me – I’m the crazy lady who felt that Akitas should be part of the agility family, and yes, I’ve competed with my Akitas. I’ve also competed in Nosework and Treiball – a game for dogs that combined the thought of sheep and soccer. I’ve trained one-on-one obedience when a family friend singled me out to help. I also started training Treiball as a new sport in So Cal in hopes to get trials started there. I have family in Central Arkansas and as busy as we all are, finding time to spend with them is easier now that I’m closer. Today I have my main partner and service dog, Diego, a Belgian Tervuren. His hobbies, between his job as a service dog and demo dog include agility, disc dog, scent work, and treiball. Katakana, an Akita, is still growing up and trying to decide how she wants to spend her time. And the ‘middle child’ is Scout who keeps the other two in check because he needs exercise too.

My life’s work is driven by a simple, powerful truth: the bond between a person and their dog can change a life. My journey began in my youth, growing up immersed in the world of horses and hunting dogs. This lifelong passion for animal behavior and structure lead me on a search for what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually, it led me to serve in the U.S. Navy where I gained a deep appreciation for the discipline, focus, and incredible capabilities of working dogs, and where I also had the opportunity to see how the trainers worked with them. And a chance to be a part of something much bigger - as an Operational Specialist I experienced many firsts, and this was one of my favorites.

My path to DTE began with a personal mission to find a service dog of my own. That dog is Ivy, a Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix. Ivy did more than just provide support; she brought me out of my shell and showed me the transformative power of a true partnership. This experience didn't just change my life; it defined my purpose.

Today, as part of the DTE team, I am honored to help owners cultivate that same life-changing connection. Whether I am working with my own pack - Ivy, Bear, Harley, and Delta - or helping you train your companion, my goal is the same: to show you that there is a path to a better, more connected life for both you and your dog. I look forward to helping you experience that magic firsthand.

I developed my love for animals at a very young age when I got my first horse in 2014. I trained multiple horses from the time I stepped in the saddle in 2014 to 2023, placing on many of my own. In 2015 we found a 3/4 Belgian Malinois 1/4 German Shepherd for sale and my parents bought him. He is what really brought me into training dogs. I ended up training with him for 2 and a half years until I made him a fully equipped protection dog. My love for Belgian Malinois never stopped. In 2023, my husband and I moved in together and I wanted a full blooded Belgian on my own. It was the biggest eye opener for me as a trainer and as a human being. Joker made me realize that not every dog is the same. My goal is for you to seek guidance through me for you and your dog. My goal is to build a stronger bond between you and your fur baby and a way to communicate with them. Joker wasn't an easy little guy to train and everything I tried with Nikko did not work with him. I was at a loss and that's when I started brainstorming. See, every dog is different just like you and I. We started in the total opposite direction that I started Nikko in. Joker has become an excellent dog in every aspect of my life. I understand your frustration—I really do—because I was once in those shoes but I am here to tell you that we can fix this! It's never too late to take control of your situation! I would love to help you become closer with your fur baby!

I love spending time with my family, friends and my fur babies. I have a golden doodle named Gypsy! I've worked with dogs for a little over two years now and love everything about it. Dogs have always held a special place in my heart and always will! I'm so thankful God put these amazing animals on this earth so I get the opportunity to learn from them and work with them!

I have been working with animals in a variety of professional settings since 2012, and that experience has shaped the way I approach dog training today. My background includes years as a dog groomer, as well as managing a grooming, boarding, and daycare facility, where I worked closely with dogs of all temperaments in both individual and group environments. I also spent time as a veterinary assistant, which strengthened my understanding of animal health, handling, and behavior under stress.

Across these roles, I developed a strong ability to read canine body language, recognize behavioral patterns, and respond in a way that supports both safety and learning. I also have experience incorporating fear-free techniques when appropriate, which has contributed to a balanced and thoughtful approach to working with dogs.

My practical experience extends into my own work with my dogs. I rescued a German Shepherd named Bones who displayed reactivity toward people and other animals, both on leash and through barriers. By applying the training methods I’ve learned through DTE with consistency and structure, he has made significant progress and is now able to move through public spaces and interact with people in a calm and controlled manner.

I am also currently training my Chihuahua–Shih Tzu mix Peso as a demo dog. His continued progress reflects my ability to apply training concepts clearly and consistently in real-life situations.

Overall, my experience across grooming, daycare management, veterinary care, and hands-on training has provided me with a well-rounded and practical understanding of dog behavior, allowing me to approach training with clarity, structure, and purpose.