Cal has been training dogs as a hobby for over 10 years and professionally for 3 years. He trained his first dog, Zephyr, as a service dog when he was in his first semester of college. After earning his B.S. in Geology, Cal decided to dive into his passion and pursue dog training as a career. Since then, Cal has worked with a variety of dogs – from helping puppies and adolescents learn about their world to supporting dogs with reactivity and aggression.
Beyond his work with companion dogs, Cal has a passion for working and sport dogs. He has experience raising and training service dogs and is currently training a detection dog and playing in multiple dog sports.
When he’s not training dogs, Cal can usually be found outdoors – either camping with his husband and their dogs, or working on various projects. He loves crafting, building & remodeling, and learning new skills.
The Hooligans
Leaf
Belgian Malinois, born May 2021. Leaf is Cal’s main sport & working dog. She has high toy & prey drive and medium food drive. Leaf loves to bite anything and everything and enjoys all things athletic.
Leaf has earned her BH-VT, CGC, RN, & TKI. She is currently working towards her IGP1, RA, and CD. Outside of trialing & titling goals, Leaf plays in agility, frisbee, ARSA SAR sport, and dock diving. Leaf also enjoys weight pull and does CRT to supplement her other sports.
Currently, Leaf is in training as a HRD & SD.
Okkoto
German Shepherd, born April 2021. Okkoto is Cal & Jasper’s companion dog and casual sport dog. Originally purchased as a service dog prospect, Okkoto washed out due to lack of confidence in new environments.
Now, Okkoto is a companion dog and does sports for fun. He enjoys Rally-Obedience, tricks, and scentwork. Okkoto is currently working toward his RN, CGC, and TKI.
Outside of sports, Okkoto is an incredibly valuable training assistant. He has a solid temperament around other dogs and his flexible play style and social tendency is an invaluable asset for dogs in remedial socialization.
Andie
Labrador Retriever, born April 2016. Andie is Cal’s former service dog & sport dog. She has an insatiable drive for food and her ball. Andie is endlessly optimistic and is a joy to work with.
Andie has officially earned her CGC & TKA, but has played in a wide variety of sports. Started as a hunting dog, Andie now has experience and skills in agility, rally, obedience, dock diving, and scentwork.
Outside of sports, Andie has fulfilled a variety of roles as Cal’s assistance dog. Andie has skills in mobility, medical alert, medical response, psychiatric assistance, and guide work. She retired from service dog work in 2022, although she still works from home as needed
Pepper
Pointer mix, born 2013. Pepper is Jasper’s former service dog, adopted from the Wake County Animal Center as a stray. She is social & outgoing, with high food drive and moderate prey drive.
Pepper enjoys using her nose and has a passion for hunting moles & voles. She is a fantastic training assistant, helping most with reactive or very shy dogs. In very rare instances, certain dogs will spark puppy-like bursts of play from Pepper before she returns to her normal aloof disposition.
A farm dog at heart, Pepper enjoys any time spent on the property around her people.
