About Us

Nan Arthur has been involved in the behavior and training field for more than 16 years with dogs and over 20 with cats, and has a deep belief that her mission is to help pet parents and their animals understand and communicate clearly with one another using the science of positive-only behavior and training methods.
Nan is an 9-year member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and holds many other certifications in the behavior and training field. She is also a certified Veterinary Assistant as well as an award winning writer and photographer. Nan recently graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy and was selected to become a faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy. She also completed her preliminary certification in TAGteach (teaching with acoustical guidance).
And finally, Nan is the proud pet parent to Goldie, Austin and Billy Jean, and all of whom came to her life with special needs and the opportunity to learn more about animals.
What is CDBC? Certified Dog Behavior Consultants are uniquely qualified practitioners with expertise in evaluating, managing and modifying a wide range of challenging canine behaviors. Please visit www.iaabc.org for more information.
What is CPDT? Certified Professional Dog Trainers are certified by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and must complete an advanced criteria before taking a certification test. Please visit: www.apdt.com
What is KPA CTP? The Karen Pryor Academy is considered "graduate school" for dog trainers, and those that graduate become Certified Training Partners. Visit: www.karenpryoracademy.com
What is TAGteach? TAG is an acronym for Teaching with Acoustical Guidance. The focused, positive nature of this method yields immediate and stunning results that are clearly evident to teachers, students and parents. Visit: www.tagteach.com

Sarah has had a loving relationship with animals her entire life, having grown up with a wide variety of pets. As a certified volunteer dog trainer, Sarah was first exposed to positive reinforcement training in 2001 and began incorporating rewards-based clicker training into her communications with her own horse, (rescue) dog and cats. After experiencing the power and joy of using science based
positive-only behavior and training methods she looks to help others build their relationships with their pets the same way.
Sarah has been actively training dogs for 7 years. In 2001 she started as a volunteer dog trainer working with shelter dogs through the guidance of Nan at the San Diego Humane Society & SCPA. Based on exceptional performance, Sarah was contracted by their Behavior and Training department to teach a variety of popular classes including their “puppy fun class”, "head start" class, and the "movin’ on up" course. In April 2009 the love of training animals inspired Sarah to forego a very successful sales career and begin dog training full time. She now teaches group classes at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society and specializes in private consultations and one-on-one training for all aged dogs.
Sarah is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and continues to surround herself with other like-minded people. She is known for her patient and loving ways with both pets and people. Because the dog-human relationship is so important, force is simply not part of Sarah’s training toolbox. She believes that communication is the core of all relationships and that the clicker is an invaluable tool for communicating with our dogs.

Jessica has been a huge dog lover her entire life. When she was in high school she began volunteering in shelters, and has always held a special place in her heart for shelter dogs. She also volunteered her time helping to train service dogs with the Puppy Prison Program in Riverside, CA. This unique program enabled female inmates at the California Institute for Women to train service dogs, and then required volunteers to keep the dogs in their homes on weekends to expose them to the real world. She never forgets the day she ran into one of her dogs she helped train with their new owner in a wheelchair at WalMart. It was heartwarming.
Soon after moving to San Diego she adopted a female pit bull named Harley from Los Angeles. Harley was Jessica’s first experience with pit bulls, and she changed her life. Jessica fell in love with the breed and felt compelled to stand up for the injustice they face. She started volunteering for Pit Bull Rescue San Diego, fostering several dogs and helping to run adoption/educational events.
She turned her love of dogs into a career, and is now a certified dog trainer using only scientifically proven positive reinforcement methods. It is her passion to help teach dog owners how to communicate with their dogs without force, and helping to keep dogs in their homes before being surrendered to a shelter due to behavioral problems. Jessica is now the trainer for Pit Bull Rescue San Diego and has extensive experience and knowledge about the breed. She helps rehabilitate dogs in the program who otherwise wouldn’t be candidates for adoption. She also holds educational seminars about pit bulls, as she believes education is the best way to promote change.
Jessica shares her home with her pit bull Harley and her newest addition Jack, a Scottish terrier mix. Waking up each day knowing she is doing what she loves most is “priceless.”