A Little About Me

I have ALWAYS loved dogs. I grew up in the Twin Cities with no animals. However, my aunt lived on a farm with 6 big dogs who visited frequently. Most of them were high-dive and high-energy breeds that required mental and physical stimulation. I started learning second-hand from my aunt from a young age. I found myself loving the energy and dedication that dogs provide. 

At the age of 17, I began a job at Dog Days in Saint Paul, Minnesota where I learned the basics of dog behavior and having a pack mentality. I learned many skills and supervised play groups of all ages and sizes. While I was there, I was introduced to dog behavior and dog training. I met my mentor who helped me understand how important obedience is to a well-mannered dog. I spent 2 years at Dog Days, and while I loved it, I wanted to experiment with dog training. 

In December of 2019, I adopted my first dog, Rusty. This dog alone has taught me how to try new methods when a certain technique isn't working. I studied dog behavior and training under Alissa Baugh who is now a veterinarian technician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medicine in Minneapolis. While working with Alissa, I trained Rusty to be my Medical Alert Service Dog. To this day, he knows over 7 tasks that help me live my daily life without too much pain.

In 2021, I got a job at Camp K9 through the Twin Cities Obedience Training Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This club focuses heavily on positive reinforcement only. I was only allowed to use treats, a clicker, and a leash. While positive reinforcement is key to dog training, it does not work for every dog. I stayed with TCOTC for 2 more years but later decided I wanted to expand past one technique of training. I have worked at a few training facilities and kennels throughout 2020-2023, however none of them stuck!

Since 2023 I have doing independent dog training and I love it more than anything I have done so far!! Since July of 2024, Cottonball Canines has been officially registered as a Limited Liability Company in the State of Wisconsin!