Working Dog Team
Our team of trained working dogs, ranging in age from 2 to 5 years old, assist our trainers when we are working with our clients to improve their dogs’ behavior around other dogs. Some client dogs are fearful, some too excited, and because our working dogs each have different personalities and skills, we match the working dog to our client dog’s needs for training! And sometimes, we get to have all FOUR dogs work as a team which is challenging AND lots of FUN!!!
Each dog’s unique bio is below so you can get to know a bit about our amazing team of dogs!
Working dog photos by: Tailwagger Dog Photography
Slash E Simpson
- AKA: Slashybear, SlashtheLabrador, Slashy
- Black Labrador Retriever
- April 25, 2018 – present!
Slash is our main working dog at Happy Tails! At 5 years old, Slash LOVES to work every day. He thrives on helping dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and backgrounds. Slash has an incredibly special gift to communicate with other dogs, understand what they need from him, and let the other dog know he is there to help! Outside of work, Slash is a fun, loving, sweet boy who enjoys play dates with his bestie Cooper, walks with his male human, and exploring his big backyard.
Cooper Hanson
- AKA: Coopy, Boop, Squeaky, Meatball, Mr. Cooper
- Chocolate Labrador Retriever
- March 12, 2020 – present!
Cooper is not only Slash’s best friend, but he is also following in his paw steps and has become an amazing working dog! Cooper has been buddies with Slash since he was 9 weeks old and started working Fall 2020. Cooper loves life, people, dogs and being loved! He lives with his humans, Ingrid and Chris. We love having this sweet boy as part of our working dog team! His Instagram account is @tucknmurphncoop!
Master Luke Skywalker
- AKA: Luke
- Black Labrador Retriever
- October 19, 2021 – present!
Luke is one of our two young working dogs, at one and a half years old he is still learning the ropes but is smart and full of curiosity! His mom, Cindy, is one of our CPDT-KA trainers and team manager, so Master Luke is being trained by the best. He is at our facility every day with his mom and his buddy Slash working and learning how to be a top-notch member of the team. We look forward to seeing him continue to become an amazing working dog!! The force is strong in this one!
Xenobia (Xena) Ouellette
- AKA: Xena, Xena Bean, Bean, "Z"
- Fox Red (a derivative of the Yellow) Labrador Retriever
- December 2, 2021 – present!
This sweet bean’s name is Xena. As the new kid on the team, she is working hard to learn the ropes of working dog life from Slash, Luke, and Cooper. The boys are meticulously teaching her how to ask for pets from every person in the office as well as how to help the reactive pups we work with. She absolutely adores working with her mom, our trainer, Maggie, especially when she has pepperoni! Xena’s favorite activities include staring at you while you eat, snuggling, playing ball, trying to play with her cat siblings, and making sure no one sneaks up on us. She is the sweetest girl, and we love her to bits!