My name is Mindy, and I am a dog trainer specializing in behavioral modification, obedience training, puppy socialization and development, and fear free grooming. I have been professionally rehabilitating and training dogs since 2005, have been grooming for 10 years, and served as an Animal Control Officer for 10 years.  I am a certified  Fear Free Groomer, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and an AKC Temperament Test Evaluator. 

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I started A Canine Understanding with the goal to help the dogs and owners that no one else could or wanted to! As a result, I have had the opportunity to help hundreds of owners and their dogs, as well as rescue and shelter dogs, step out of the shadows of behavioral issues that kept them from reaching their true potential!

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As time went on, I saw the need for people to have a helping hand in building a strong foundation for their puppies to grow on in order for them to be successful as adults. I have raised lots of puppies to adulthood, and love helping new owners navigate the world of puppy socialization and development.

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Additionally, I am a strong believer in fear free grooming in which old school methods implementing forced compliance are replaced with building relationship, trust, and a positive experience which cultivates voluntary compliance. There is no greater joy then seeing the dogs I groom HAPPY to come see me!

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I stand firmly in the belief that through expert behavioral coaching, training, applying calm confident leadership, and positive reinforcement you can build a strong reliable trusting relationship with your dog. I strive to teach owners how their own behaviors influence their dogs, how to read and understand their dogs body language and way of communicating, and most importantly how to build a mutually rewarding relationship through boundaries, structure, leadership, trust, and fun!