View Dog Trainer Credentials

I am a San Francisco native, and I have been a full time employee at Top Dog SF since February of 2024, working closely with Natalie Tondeli-Walsh, CTC, and the Top Dog SF team. I am the Facilty Trainer at Top Dog SF and I run the Puppy Head Start Program, an early socialization and training program for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months old. We also offer private training, group training classes, puppy socials, small dog socials, small dog playcare and off-leash adventure walks.
I am an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a Top Dog University Certified Dog Walker, and I am Pet CPR and Pet First Aid Certified. I decided to take the CPDT-KA exam in 2025, and I continue to study the works of some of the world’s leading experts in dog training and canine behavior, including Dr Ian Dunbar, Dr Pamela Reid, Dr Melodie Uhde, Jean Donaldson, Ivan Balabanov, Michael Ellis, Susan Garret and Nino Drowaert.
After working in the music industry as a touring musician and band manager for over a decade, and owning multiple dogs for nearly 20 years, I developed a passion for dog training as a hobby in 2015. I decided to become a professional dog trainer during Covid, in 2020, after helping several of my friends with their dogs during lockdown. I bring fun, enthusiasm, patience, empathy and science with me on my dog training journey.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed