A little background on me:

 

I always wanted to work with animals. As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian like any 5 year old girl. 

 

Florida:

I got into training when I was 13 after my own dog bit me when I got between him and another dog that was trying to go after him. I got 12 stitches from a 12 pound dachshund. My family wanted to have him euthanized but I wanted to help him. He was 7 months old with no direction and from a puppy mill. 

 

The trainer our vet referred me to made my dog worse after pinning him and putting him on a prong collar. He bit the guy 6 times. Long story short, I left. I felt hopeless. With much research, I found out about positive reinforcement. After a few weeks of counter conditioning, I could walk my dog past other dogs. I knew from then that I wanted to work with animal behavior. 

 

When I was 16, I started volunteering with a rescue to help with their behaviorally challenged dogs. Thanks to good grades, I was able to start college the summer before my junior year of high school and dove into animal sciences. That opened a door for me to be able to do some hands on work at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Conservation Zoo and Jacksonville Zoo in Florida working on cooperative care with all kinds of animals. The coolest was a cassowary!! 

 

When I was 17, almost 18 I ended up with a blind and extremely dog aggressive dog who was attacked by her mom who further pushed me into behavior training.

By 18 I was training under a mentor at my local shelter then took their position when she retired. I got the opportunity a few months later to move to California so I took it. 

 

California:

I was shadowing other trainers to further my skills while trying and failing to help my own dog. Four trainers told me I should euthanize her. I didn’t give up despite the discouragement.

 

I landed a job with a local Petco and became a trainer for them. At the end of two years, they told me I couldn’t train dogs outside of Petco so I told them it was time for me to part ways since my passion was with behavioral training.

 

I’ve continued my education every chance I get. I’m currently working on recording cases for a CDBC certification through the IAABC, I’ll be taking the test for the CPDT in 2025. I am a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Pet Professionals Guild, and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

 

I specialize in dogs with dog reactivity/ aggression, phobias, human reactivity/ aggression, resource guarding, and blind / blind + deaf dogs. 

 

I like collaborating with other trainers and expanding my network of positive reinforcement professionals.

 

Sabrielle, Fear and Aggression Specialist

The Canine’s Voice – Dog Training and Behavior Solutions
386.336.2469