Before HT Dog Training existed, there was Kirby.

Kirby was sweet, funny, and full of life—but he also struggled in a world that overwhelmed him. He lived in a space between fear and excitement, where everyday experiences could feel too big, too fast, too much. Helping him meant slowing everything down, learning to listen deeply, and building trust one moment at a time.

We spent years working together. And over time, Kirby grew into a calm, confident adult dog—my first working partner and the one who taught me what true progress looks like. He didn’t just change how I train dogs. He changed how I see the people who love them.
Working with Kirby helped me understand that behind every dog is a human doing their best—often with worry, hope, and a deep desire to help. Because of him, I operate with more compassion, more patience, and a better sense of pace. I meet people where they are, just like I do with their dogs.

Kirby is the reason I specialize in relationship-based training and behavior modification. He’s the reason I believe in second chances, in quiet leadership, and in honoring each dog’s emotional experience.

Today, Slash and Harvey help me carry that legacy forward. They’re from the same breeder, and they’re related to Kirby through his lineage. While they’re not complex dogs in the same way, they bring steadiness, clarity, and joy to my work. They model social behavior, offer calm companionship, and help other dogs feel safe in sessions.

Kirby taught me how to meet dogs where they are. Slash and Harvey remind me every day why that still matters.