Grooming Academy Program

From a young age, my life has revolved around dogs—at one point, we had at least five in the house! With a mother who worked as a dog groomer, I was hands-on with puppies and adult dogs as soon as I could walk. That early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for canine care and behavior.

At 16, I got my first personal dog, Hamilton Jack, a French Bulldog who challenged me with significant behavioral issues. Working through those struggles taught me how transformative training can be—not just for dogs, but for the people who love them. That experience inspired me to help other dogs live fuller, happier lives through effective training.
Over time, two shelter dogs joined my family, each bringing new lessons in behavior, patience, and love. While working at an animal shelter, I earned my CPDT-KA certification and trained countless dogs to prepare them for forever homes—and, just as importantly, to help them stay there.

Today, I specialize in science-based, positive reinforcement training for dogs of all ages and backgrounds—from puppy fundamentals to complex behavioral challenges. My goal is always to strengthen the bond between dogs and their people while building lasting, real-world skills through kind, effective methods.

Rob’s journey as a dog trainer began at just 7 years old when he welcomed his first puppy. What was meant to be a family project quickly revealed something special—Rob had a natural ability to connect with dogs. He took the lead in training, setting the stage for what would become a lifelong passion turned career.

In 1998, Rob joined The Seeing Eye’s prestigious Volunteer Puppy Raising Program. Since then, he has dedicated nearly three decades to raising and preparing young puppies for their future as guide dogs for the blind. Each pup, just seven weeks old upon arrival, spends over a year in Rob’s care. During that time, he instills critical skills: housebreaking, obedience, manners, and real-world socialization—giving every dog the foundation they need to succeed in their life-changing roles.

After retiring from his first career, Rob pursued his professional dog training certification through Animal Behavior College. Today, he combines his extensive hands-on experience with formal education to help dog parents navigate behavioral challenges and build stronger bonds with their dogs. His approach centers around modern, science-based, positive reinforcement techniques.

Rob believes dogs make life better—and that every dog deserves a parent who understands them. His mission is simple: to help every dog become their best self, and every dog parent become their dog’s greatest advocate.