Desiree has spent her life immersed in the world of animals. Growing up hunting and fishing, she always knew her career would involve working closely with them. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 2015. While her academic path focused on wildlife, Desiree ultimately found her calling in dog training.

 

With years of hands-on experience, Desiree began working with dogs long before turning professional, training both her own dogs and family dogs. In 2020, she began training dogs professionally under the guidance of experienced mentors and went on to work at a variety of dog training facilities. Through this experience, she recognized the value of in-home private lessons compared to common day training programs, allowing her to move beyond cookie-cutter approaches and provide practical, individualized solutions in the environment where dogs live and learn.

 

In 2022, Desiree founded her own dog training business to offer flexible, personalized training in the comfort of clients’ homes. This approach allows her to address specific behaviors and challenges that are more common in the household. While dogs may do well in day training programs, those behaviors don’t always carry over to the home environment—working in the space where dogs live ensures the training is practical, effective, and tailored to each household’s needs.

 

Desiree’s training philosophy is guided by TLC—Teach, Love, Clarify—and follows the LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) framework. She prioritizes positive reinforcement, thoughtful management, and training techniques designed to minimize stress, pain, or discomfort while building clear communication, confidence, and lasting results between dogs and their people.

 

In her own time, Desiree enjoys competing with her dogs in a variety of venues. Her three dogs have earned numerous titles and placements in Nosework, Rally, Tricks, Fast CAT, Obedience, and Disc. You can read more about each of her dogs on their individual pages. Outside of training, she enjoys crocheting, exploring nature on hikes, boating, and spending time with her family.