Rebecca
Trainer
I began my dog training journey in 2018 when I started training at TTK9 with my first German Shepherd, Phoenix, whom I originally intended to compete with in rally. As Phoenix matured, her reactivity developed to a point where that venue was no longer a safe or appropriate path for us to pursue. Working through those challenges became a defining moment in my training path, pushing me to seek deeper education in behavior, canine cognition, and alternative training outlets. That experience reshaped how I approach training overall and laid the foundation for my ongoing commitment to continued education and relationship-focused training.
Biography
In 2019, I began shadowing Barbara at TTK9, primarily assisting in puppy classes but also helping wherever I was needed (and sometimes where I wasn’t). By 2021, I took over teaching puppy classes, a role that allowed me to combine hands-on training experience with my passion for helping new owners build strong foundations with their dogs.
I currently own three German Shepherds and have extensive experience training and competing with my dogs. I competed seven times at Mondioring Level 1 with my first sport dog, Corvus—including at Nationals—before an injury prevented us from advancing to Level 2. I continue to train in Mondioring with my youngest German Shepherd, Venum.
In addition to protection sport, I have competed with Phoenix and Corvus in NACSW nosework trials, and I have experience competing in dock diving, hydrodash, and air retrieve with Corvus. Multiple dogs in my household have earned Do More With Your Dog trick titles, and Phoenix achieved the Grand Champion Trick Dog title.
Biography continued
I have taken every class offered at TTK9 and have taught most of them, giving me broad exposure to different training styles, learning stages, and handler needs. My training philosophy centers on helping owners develop strong, functional relationships with their dogs—built on clarity, trust, and consistent communication.
I firmly believe that continued education is essential to responsible, effective dog training. I actively seek out learning opportunities and regularly attend seminars around the country across a broad range of training topics. While my primary areas of focus include obedience and protection sport, nosework, canine cognition, and reactivity, my education is ongoing and intentionally diverse. Outside of dog training, I work full time as a software engineer, which reinforces my structured, analytical approach to problem-solving—both with dogs and with people.