About Us

The Dog Who Made Me a Dog Mom (For Real This Time)

Winnie wasn’t my childhood dog, or my mom’s dog that I just claimed as my own—Winnie was the first dog I chose, all on my own.

The day I moved into my first place, I knew exactly what I needed to make it feel like home: a dog. I jumped in the car and drove up to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, full of excitement, nerves, and hope. I met so many sweet pups that day, but when I laid eyes on one particular brindle girl with bright, loving eyes and a goofy, sweet energy—I just knew. Her name was Chauncy at the time, but the moment she ran up to me, licked my face, and settled into my heart, she became my Winnie.

Winnie is the kind of dog everyone dreams of—social, affectionate, playful, and easygoing. She loves every person she meets and every dog she sees. She’ll romp around at the park all day, then curl up in a tiny ball at your feet like the world’s coziest shadow.

But even with her angelic nature, she came with her own set of challenges.

Winnie was relentless on the leash. She had to greet every person, every dog, and every movement within a 100-foot radius—no matter what no-pull harness or leash I tried. She pulled like a sled dog training for the Iditarod. And while I laughed it off at first, deep down I was frustrated. I loved her to pieces, but walks weren’t peaceful. They were chaotic.
I realize now that it wasn’t Winnie’s fault. It wasn’t about obedience or stubbornness—it was about communication. I didn’t yet know how to clearly tell her what I needed, and she didn’t know how to understand what I was asking.

Everything changed when I dove into professional training. Once I understood how to communicate with her in a way that made sense to her, things fell into place. With balanced training, structure, and leadership, I now get to enjoy every ounce of her joy and energy—without the overwhelm. We’re a team now, not just a girl and her dog on opposite ends of a leash.

Winnie is also the reason I adopted Mako. She loved other dogs, and I felt so guilty that she didn’t have a playmate of her own. So I did what many dog lovers do: I got a dog for my dog. And now, she and Mako are inseparable. They wrestle, cuddle, go on adventures, and keep each other balanced. She loves her little brother, and he adores her right back.
Oh—and we did her DNA test! Winnie is a delightful mix of American Pit Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever, and Siberian Husky. Which honestly explains everything about her sweet, high-energy, affectionate self.

Winnie is my first dog, my heart dog, and one of my greatest teachers. She’s the reason I became a dog trainer, the reason I believe in calm, loving leadership, and the reason Happy Hound Academy exists today.

The Dog I Got for My Dog (Who Ended Up Changing Everything)

When I adopted Mako in April 2024, it was mostly for my other dog, Winnie. You know how some people have a kid… and then have another kid so the first one has someone to play with? Yeah—it was like that, but with fur and paws.
I found Mako at Peggy Adams Rescue. He was just three months old and already full of personality, not to mention the cutest thing I’d ever laid my eyes on. DNA-wise, he’s 50% American Bully, 45% German Shepherd, and 5% pure chaos (okay, I added that last part). From the moment he met Winnie, it was like they’d been best friends in a past life. He fit right into our little pack.
Mako is bubbly, incredibly affectionate, and has absolutely zero concept of personal space. He’s the type of dog that thinks being on your lap is the only place to be, even if you’re clearly working, eating, or just doing the dishes.
But as he grew, something became painfully clear: Mako had serious leash reactivity. And it wasn’t just that—walking him at all became a struggle. He didn’t listen inside the house or out, and every walk felt like a battle. I remember feeling defeated and even a little heartbroken. I gave him so much love—how could it not be enough?
That was the hardest part. I thought my love for him would be the solution, but it wasn’t him that needed fixing—it was me. I wasn’t communicating with him in the way he needed. I didn’t have the structure, leadership, or clarity that a dog like Mako craved. And because of that, we were both frustrated and disconnected.
Everything changed when I decided to take my passion for dogs to the next level. I got professionally certified through Top Tier K9, one of the nations most respected training programs. And through that process, I finally cracked the code—not just with dogs in general, but with Mako.
I realized I didn’t have a clear communication system with him. I was loving him deeply but not leading him clearly—and that lack of structure and guidance left us both stressed. Once I understood what put Mako under pressure, everything shifted.
Today, Mako is thriving. He’s a different dog—confident, clear, and connected yet still the same bubbly, snuggly, lap dog I fell in love with
. I can take him places I never could before. He’s reliable on and off leash, and most importantly, he’s happy. I no longer worry about him shutting down or becoming reactive in public. I get to experience his love and companionship everywhere I go—and he gets the freedom and life he truly deserves.