Positive reinforcement, science based, force-free dog training is about establishing a communication system between the dog and owner. In the past, the foundation of this communication was based on the avoidance of pain – i.e. leash corrections, choke chains, shock collars. etc. The emphasis was on what the dog did wrong. Much has changed in the past thirty years. By using the principles of operant and classical conditioning – psychological principles that underlay the behavior of all sentient being including humans – the focus has shifted to what the dog does right. By rewarding the behavior we like with food, toys, play, affection, exercise and anything else the dog loves, these desirable behaviors increase in frequency. Likewise by ignoring, managing and preventing the behaviors we don’t like, the undesirable behaviors decrease in frequency. Not only is this scientific approach extremely effective, it’s also much more fun for the dog and handler!

We train by the rules: No Pain, No Force, No Fear

Head Trainer- Amanda Burger CPDT-KA

Amanda has been training professionally for over 17 years in the Orlando area. She is highly educated in animal behavior and training with the following credentials:

Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, Certified Family Paws Parent Educator, Certified Low Stress Handling, Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

In her free time Amanda enjoys competing in Herding and other dog sports with her dogs, volunteering with local animal rescues and fostering homeless pets.

Trainer- Erin Sullivan CTC

Erin Sullivan is a graduate from the Academy for Dog Trainers, which is a comprehensive program designed by renowned dog trainer Jean Donaldson. Before entering the Academy, she was a hobby trainer who completed with her dogs in various sports, including tracking and obedience. She has extensive experience volunteering with animal-welfare organizations, including HSUS, Orange County Animal Services, and she helped found a nonprofit organization in Baltimore called B-More Dog, which connects dog owners with medical and training resources. She currently lives with two dogs — Betty, a rescued English bulldog, and Monkey, a Staffordshire bull terrier who competes in Barn Hunt and conformation. 

Trainer- Angel Lawson CPDT-KA

Angel is passionate about understanding why dogs do what they do. She finds helping clients and dogs live in happy relationships built on communication, trust and empathy the most satisfying part of her job. As a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT) she is holistic in her training approach taking into consideration the health, age, and history of each individual dog and is committed to providing humane, effective systematic strategies and helpful solutions to her client’s dog training needs. She loves to learn and continues her professional development through several conferences and seminars per year. When not helping clients to enjoy easier lives with their canine companions, she’s loving being a new mom; spending time with her family, including training her rescue cat and herding or hiking with her teenage border collie