Meet my dogs
My teammates.
My teachers.
My Australian Shepherds and Shiba Inus are part of the story behind my training. Meet Cajun, Chiron, Jelly Bean, and Taiyo, and remember Maluko and Koji—the Shibas whose lessons are still with me. Each partnership has helped me learn to listen to the dog in front of me.
An experienced partner across sports
Cajun
Cajun is my red Australian Shepherd, born March 14, 2016. Our work together spans Nose Work, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, and agility. His experience across those sports is part of the foundation I bring to teaching: build the dog’s skills, pay attention to the individual, and keep learning together.
Selected milestones
- NACSW Elite Champion and two Summit titles
- AKC Scent Work Master Elite (SWME)
- Barn Hunt RATCHX2 and agility T2B
- Second overall at the Deming Summit trial on his tenth birthday, March 14, 2026
Slipstream’s Full Tilt
Chiron
Chiron is my Australian Shepherd, Slipstream’s Full Tilt. We compete in Nose Work and Scent Work, and he also enjoys Barn Hunt. His searches feature in my training writing, where I examine what I see, when I can offer useful support, and when to give him time to work through the odor picture.
Selected milestones
- NACSW Summit title in Sacramento in April 2026, finishing second overall
- Fourth overall in his Elite-S debut in Rainier in May 2026
- AKC Master Interior and Master Exterior titles
- Barn Hunt Crazy 8 Bronze title
Jelly · The next chapter
Jelly Bean
Jelly Bean—Jelly—is my young Australian Shepherd, born April 17, 2024. We are building her search experience one step at a time. Her NW3 Interior search appears in “Stay Curious,” a look at giving a dog room to leave pooled odor and keep working toward source.
Selected milestones
- Earned her NW2 title on her first attempt in May 2026
- Earned her first NW3 title in Monmouth, Oregon, in August 2026: six successful searches and fourth overall
- NACSW Level 1 Container, Exterior, and Vehicle titles
- AKC Scent Work Novice title
Shiba Inu · A partner in the hunt
Taiyo
Taiyo is my Shiba Inu and a teammate in both Nose Work and Barn Hunt. He brings his own instincts to the hunt, reminding me that motivation and partnership can look different from one dog to the next. Our work together is part of the range of experience I bring to my classes.
Selected milestones
- NACSW Elite-level competitor
- First NW3 title in Sherwood, Oregon, in June 2021
- Enjoys both Nose Work and Barn Hunt
Shiba Inu · In loving memory
Maluko
Maluko was my first dog. She came to me at almost five years old, when I was looking for a companion, and became a friend, a training partner, and a teacher. Together we explored Rally, obedience, agility, and Nose Work; she was also a therapy dog. She taught me how much connection can grow through learning and playing together. Maluko passed away in 2020, and her influence is still part of how I teach.
Selected milestones
- NACSW NW3 and Elite-level Nose Work
- Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE)
- Master Agility (MX) and Master Agility Jumper (MXJ)
- Therapy Dog (THD) and Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Shiba Inu · In loving memory
Koji
Koji—my Koko boy—was independent, opinionated, and cautious about other dogs getting in his face. Food and toys were not automatic answers, so finding rewards that mattered to him took creativity, sometimes including a special trip for fresh mozzarella. He taught me patience, humility, and how to listen to the dog in front of me. His story remains central to my belief that our dogs are companions first, and that meaningful work together strengthens the bond between us.
Selected milestones
- NACSW Elite-level Nose Work
- A teammate in agility, Rally, Nose Work, lure coursing, and Barn Hunt
- Remembered on what would have been his sixteenth birthday in March 2026
Your team’s story
Let’s see what your dog can do.
Tell me about your dog, your experience, and what you’d like to build together.