OUR DOG TRAINERS

Michael has been a lover of dogs since he was four.  His first dog, Freeway, was rescued from the wrong side of a California highway.  Freeway provided him his early lessons in understanding the complex needs of dogs from the reactive and un-socialized to the easy going and gregarious.  

As his interests and involvement with dogs grew, he studied for and obtained his CPDT-KA designation.  Continuing to work closely with clients he learned their needs and then prescribed appropriate dog training classes.  He worked with dogs on everything from basic obedience to reactivity and aggression.  These experiences greatly increased his practical knowledge of canine behavior and his ability to ”speak dog”.  Michael enjoys working with and educating owners, helping them to understand their canine friends.  He is actively involved in developing workshops on subjects important to pet owners.

He has been training for over 12 years using reward based training methods including operant and classical conditioning.  Specialization includes leash reactivity, aggression, loose leash walking and other problem behaviors.  He is proficient with clicker training, leash handling skills as well as basic and advanced obedience.  

Michael earned a BS from Southern Utah University.  Michael was a former instructor of AZ Dog Smart Academy, teaching those who wish to be dog trainers, including history of dog domestication, problem behaviors and body language.  Currently he is a contractor with AZ Human Society.  

I am a Senior Dog Trainer and have worked at AZ Dog Sports and AZ Dog Smart Academy as well as long-time member and teacher with an agility club in Phoenix, Arizona. I am an AKC CGC administrator and active competitor in AKC events including my Texas Kennel Club membership for 25 plus years. I have been involved with dogs all my life and began participating in dog sports and activities in 1991, with my first Norwegian Elkhound Buck.

AKC conformation has been a great learning experience leading to obedience, agility and rally competitions and scent work. I became a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Tricks titles are being requested as clients want to increase their connection with their beloved pets.

To deepen my knowledge further, I obtained my CPDT-KA designation expanding my knowledge of the science of dog training following the philosophy of Positive Reinforcement as my go to training approach. This resulted in developing and implementing curriculum for AZ. Dog Smart Academy, which provides education for future dog training professionals who now practice in Phoenix as well.

Two of my professional dog training goals are to help clients communicate successfully with their canine companions and to teach them how to speak dog. As they begin to understand I hear clients apologize to their dog for confusing him. This makes me feel good that a canine/human relationship is getting stronger.

My husband and I enjoy our retired Agility dog Rio and our young Russel Terrier, Izzy competing in AKC Conformation.

AKC CGC Evaluator, STAR Puppy Evaluator

APDT Professional Member

AZ. Dog Smart Academy Instructor

602-509-6379 

GOAL

To provide reward-based methods of dog training to owners and their dogs in order to bring out the best in their dog.

Lynn Brand has been training at AZ Dog Sports for twelve years. Her focus includes training companion dogs in obedience, both puppies and adult dogs. Lynn is an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and tests candidates for the basic CGC title up to the advanced AKC Urban Canine title and the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Lynn is skilled in training all breeds of dogs including

rescues.

Lynn believes that early development of a strong bond of trust and love between dog and handler is critical to success and is best achieved through methods based on positive reward and reinforcement. She wants her clients to know the pleasures of responsible dog ownership and the joy of having a well-mannered canine kid.

She began training German Shepherd Dogs in the demanding sport of Schutzhund in 1997. She has taken her own GSDs through all phases of the sport, including IPO-level titles that entail the most difficult international testing standards.

Lynn has a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

She lives in Phoenix, Arizona and continues training her next generation of German Shepherds in Schutzhund. Lynn is active in the Phoenix Schutzhund Club and currently serves as its President.