K9 & Protection Work
Decoy Work & Handling with Blue Oak Working Dogs
I have had the opportunity to begin doing decoy work and handling for Blue Oak Working Dogs. This includes working with dogs at all stages — from young puppies to started and fully trained working dogs. Being part of their training process has been an incredible learning experience, allowing me to refine my skills and deepen my understanding of canine behavior, drive development, and working dog training.
The knowledge and techniques I’ve gained from this work have become a huge asset in my everyday training. Whether I’m working with a high-drive working dog or a family pet, I’m able to apply the same principles of clarity, engagement, and consistency to help dogs and owners succeed together.
I’m continually learning from and inspired by two exceptional trainers — Tino Contreras and Celeste Schmidt. Their expertise and mentorship have been invaluable as I continue to grow as both a handler and decoy, committed to developing balanced, capable, and confident working dogs.
Puppy Raising with All Terrain Working Dogs
In addition to decoy and handler work, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Tino Contreras and his incredible All Terrain Working Dogs breeding program. Tino’s dogs are bred to be strong, versatile, and highly driven — purpose-built for demanding work such as police K9, border control, and personal protection.
I’ve had the honor of helping raise multiple puppies from Tino’s program, bringing them into my home at various young ages to give them a solid foundation. My focus is on basic obedience, confidence building, and environmental exposure, ensuring each pup grows into a well-balanced, focused working dog. Throughout their development, I regularly bring the dogs back to Tino for bite work sessions, allowing them to continue progressing under his experienced guidance.
The hands-on experience I gain through this process not only helps me develop these working dogs but also deepens my understanding of canine behavior and learning. The concepts, structure, and handling techniques I learn directly translate into the work I do with my client dogs. This allows me to better instruct pet dog owners, helping them understand how to communicate more clearly with their dogs and build stronger, more balanced relationships.
