A Little Bit About Me

Hi there, and thank you for taking the time to get to know me!

I’m a certified ABCDT (Certified Obedience Dog Trainer) and will be graduating from Animal Behavior College’s Service Dog Training Program later this year. I’m also proudly partnering with a local service dog training company, with hopes to begin training service dogs full-time next year.

I was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of Ramsay/Butte, Montana, and lived there until 2017, when my husband, our son, and I made the move to sunny Arizona. We now live in San Tan Valley in the Johnson Ranch community with our two amazing boys—Jaxson (9) and Benny (4).

My training journey is a unique one. I grew up on a large cattle ranch that’s been in my family for generations. My grandma, Joyce, was an accomplished barrel racer, breeder, and trainer of both dogs and horses. She gifted me my first pony, Katie, when I was just two years old. Katie was also two—basically a toddler with hooves! My grandma taught me how to train Katie and, more importantly, how to get bucked off, dust myself off, and try again—only this time, with a new approach.

That lesson has never left me.

Training animals isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. If something isn’t working, I step back, reevaluate, and adjust my tools, technique, and mindset to meet each dog’s individual needs. I began training working dogs at age four, and although I grew up around high-drive ranch dogs, I fell head over heels in love with a Golden Retriever named Sophie Marie—and the rest is history. Today, my home is filled with Goldens, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As a trainer, I focus on positive reinforcement and gentle, thoughtful correction. I believe in building trust and a strong bond before expecting obedience. That relationship-first approach creates happy, eager-to-learn dogs. My specialty is in puppy socialization, desensitization, and obedience—and we’ve created a one-of-a-kind puppy program that produces incredibly brave, kind, confident, and well-mannered pups.

Our business has grown to include several exciting branches:

• High-Quality, Trained Golden Retriever Breeding Program

• Training Services (in-home, group, board and train)

• Pet Sitting & Boarding

• Dog Treadmills & Enrichment Activities

If you’d like to learn more about any of our programs or services, I’d love to chat!

Thanks again for stopping by and supporting our small family-run business. We’re so grateful to share our passion and love of animals with you.

Warmly,
Samantha
Top Gun Golden Retrievers & Dog Training LLC