PROFESSIONAL CALIFORNIA DOG TRAINERS
Providing Dog Training To San Francisco Bay Area Residents For Over 30 Years
Dog Dynamics, is committed to enhancing the human to dog relationship by helping owners understand dog behavior from puppy through senior age. We take the dog point of view and find out what makes your dog tick. Through this understanding we can then choose the training methods that are appropriate based on the dog’s behavior, temperament and your training goals.
Dog Dynamic’s listens to the needs of our clients and are sensitive to the body language of the dog on the other end of the leash. Our goal is to have you build a bond with your dog based on trust, motivation and mutual respect. Join us and see how our unique training will bring out the best in your dog.
CEO, Operator, Trainer
I’ve always been drawn to the relationship between behavior, emotion, and connection, and that curiosity has shaped the way I work with dogs and the people who love them. My goal as a trainer is simple: to help owners better understand their dogs and build clear, confident relationships that support lasting behavior change.
I earned my B.S. from Florida State University, enjoyed growing my leadership skills in Retail management and operations. I then pursued professional training under the mentorship of respected trainer Bonnie Brown Cali. Working closely with Bonnie for several years helped shape my thoughtful, practical approach to training, one that prioritizes clear communication, fairness, and respect for both dogs and their owners. I continue to learn from Bonnie today and regularly attend seminars with leading trainers to stay current, connected, and continually improving my craft.
Every dog to human relationship is unique, and training should be flexible enough to support that. I got into dog training because I genuinely enjoy dogs for who they are. Every dog that comes into my care is an individual, and I’m committed to getting to know them and helping them succeed in a way that fits their personality. I believe training should make life easier and more enjoyable for both dogs and their people, creating dogs who are engaged, capable, and able to enjoy more freedom in the world.
I work with families through group classes, private training, and board and train programs. I teach classes including Puppy Head Start, Beginning Obedience, and Help for Reactive Dogs, and I host seminars focused on helping owners better understand and support reactive or sensitive dogs. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping owners move from frustration and confusion to confidence and connection with their dogs.
I continue to study and develop my skills through seminars and workshops with trainers including Michael Ellis, Dr. Melanie Uhde, Forrest Micke, and Ivan Balabanov. I am an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and have completed a Prong Collar Knowledge Assessment as part of my commitment to responsible and informed training practices.
My own dogs continue to shape my perspective every day. Raisin, my twelve-year-old pit mix, is a recovering reactive dog whose progress over the years continues to inform my work with clients facing similar challenges. She still enjoys training, nosework classes, beach runs, and exploring new trails. My younger dog, Koda, a Samoyed, brings a completely different energy to training and is currently enjoying rally work and beginning his journey into mushing.
Living and learning alongside my own dogs keeps my work grounded in the realities of everyday life with dogs. Through my board and train program and ongoing client relationships, one of my favorite moments is seeing dogs return for boarding clear headed, confident, and eager to use the skills we’ve built together.
When I’m not training, you’ll likely find me practicing yoga, catching a live music show, trying a new food spot, or playing card games, often with my partner Nate and my dogs close by.
Founder, Trainer, Behavior Counselor
Bonnie has professionally trained dogs since 1989 and is the founder of Dog Dynamics,. Bonnie was a co-owner and master trainer of AppleGate School for Dogs Inc. and American Detector Dogs.
For 10 years she was the West Coast field representative for Paws With a Cause, an organization that trains service dogs for the disabled. She worked as a canine field handler on the impact of human encroachment on wildlife for the University of Reno, the Desert Research Institute, and for Working Dogs for Conservation Foundation. She volunteered for 7 years as a trainer and member of the search and rescue teams for Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department, California Rescue Dogs Association, and the California Office of Emergency Services.
She has been an AKC evaluator for over 15 years. She has conducted national and international workshops on training and deploying service dogs, dog behavior and obedience, reliable retrieving training, and the ethical use of training equipment.
She has helped countless individuals with challenging dogs, and has published manuals and papers on puppy head start programs, beginning through advanced obedience, help for reactive dogs, training dogs for human remains detection, and how to develop and maintain an athletic dog.
To continue her education she attends annual conferences, behavioral workshops and training seminars in the United States and abroad. Bonnie trains her Malinois and Beauceron to compete in French Ring sport, a discipline that weaves together obedience, agility and protection. She and her family share their home in the East Bay Hills of Northern California with their pack of dogs, dog training cats, and flock of chickens.
Trainer, Behavior Counselor
Roxy's Rescue Ranch LLX
When Sue Marlais isn’t working her day job as the deputy Chief Information Officer for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, she is a trainer for Dog Dynamics.
Sue’s heart is committed to rescue dogs and to people in need, and her credentials speak for themselves. She works closely with the East County Animal Shelter in training volunteers to help rescued dogs be more adoptable, and she opens up her home to foster puppies in need.
She has two rescued Chihuahuas, that were “foster failures” Jack and Bella, that are now trained for agility. The rascally pair are also therapy dogs through Tri-Valley Humane Canine Comfort and they regularly visit senior living facilities bringing joy with a happy tail. Sue’s little Bella also visits Hospice organizations where Bella brings comfort to last stage patients.
Trainer, Behavior Counselor
Good Dog Adventures
Emily’s passion for dogs started at a very early age, and she spent her childhood hanging out with the neighborhood dogs. Once she had the chance to get a dog of her own, she brought Buster home. His complicated behavior issues introduced Emily to the world of dog training, and she was hooked ever since.
Emily’s experience with dogs is diverse, and includes going to school for veterinary technology, competing in multiple dog sports with her Belgian Tervuren, Willow, and working in a shelter where she was the behavior and training manager. This background gives Emily a unique perspective on working through everything from basic obedience to behavior issues.
Trainer, CCFT CPDT-KA
Sunflower Canine Services
Since childhood, Avery has displayed an innate curiosity and love for all animals. Whether it be horses, dogs, or insects, she immersed herself in learning and gaining as many hands-on experiences as possible. As a teenager her undeniable passion for dogs emerged and inspired her to seek out every opportunity available to fulfill her goal of becoming a dog trainer.
As a dog trainer, Avery has found immense joy in teaching group classes and has provided group instruction in puppy through intermediate obedience, Rally Obedience, Scentwork, Canine Good Citizen skills, and more. There is something so magical about
watching a group of people become a cohesive team with their dog over the course of a six week class!
In addition to obedience and behavior instruction, Avery is skilled in a variety of competitive sports and specialized outlets. She holds her Certified Canine Fitness Trainer from the University of Tennessee and has embarked on the journey towards becoming an AKC Scentwork judge. She is heavily involved in the world of Labradors and is a board member for the Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club.
In her spare time Avery competes in a variety of dog sports with her Labrador Jasper including Conformation, Rally, Obedience, Scentwork, Dock Diving, Hunt Tests, and Agility. Her new puppy Crosby is ready to follow in his big brother Jasper’s footsteps! When Avery isn’t training dogs you can find her working on a sewing project, taking pictures, hiking, traveling, lap swimming, or rock climbing. Even when she isn’t training dogs there is most likely a dog by her side!
Trainer, Behavior Counselor
Ken Carpenter's introduction to dog training occurred in 2000 when he adopted a 1-year old 80lb German Shepherd name Cruz. From the onset it was clear that Cruz needed not only basic obedience, structure and boundaries, but also behavior modification. Cruz was leash reactive toward some people and dogs, and an escape artist extraordinaire!
Ken enlisted the help of trainer Bonnie Brown Cali, and together they helped Cruz become a fantastic companion. This was Ken’s first introduction to dog training, and he was hooked. The skills he learned with Cruz helped him train his next puppy named Roxi, a dynamite Belgian Malinois. Roxi's intuition and desire to learn lit the fire in Ken to become a professional dog trainer. Ken had a one-year intensive internship with a San Francisco dog training company. He also attended Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers in Santa Rosa where he received a sound foundation in training theory and methods.
He enjoys staying informed in the dog training world and attends yearly seminars and workshops, most notably with Julien Ryckenbusch an IGP trainer from France. Ken comes from a diverse work background. Originally a professional cyclist representing the US in two Olympics, and later an Institutional Banker at a boutique firm in San Francisco. This diversity and dedication helped him gain unique instinctual, observational and analytical skills which he puts to good use training dogs and their owners.
In his free time Ken practices his other passion, Jiu Jitsu, and finds that it compliments dog training immensely. Keeping calm, thinking through problems and puzzles are necessary in both martial arts and dog training. In addition, he trains French Ring sport, currently with his rescue German Shepherd Malinois cross, Ryker
Hello! My name is Kendra and I am a dog trainer newly based in the Bay Area, California, offering balanced training tailored to each individual dog and family.
My approach draws from a wide range of tools and training techniques, allowing me to adapt my style to best support the dog in front of me, while prioritizing clear communication, structure, and emotional well-being.
Before becoming a dog trainer, I worked for over two years as a veterinary assistant in clinics that emphasized low-stress handling and positive experiences for pets. I have also worked with and fostered dogs through the Lion’s Foundation Guide Dogs of Ontario, giving me hands-on experience desensitizing dogs to the human world, and a very strong baseline for obedience work. I specialize in obedience training, puppy foundations, and behavioral concerns such as reactivity and over-arousal. I enjoy helping owners build practical routines that set both dogs and humans up for long-term success.
With my own dog, I am currently training in agility and have experience with scent work. I also live with two cats and have extensive experience introducing dogs and cats safely, as well as helping dogs learn to read and respect feline body language.
When I’m not working with dogs, I’m a professional cellist, performing with orchestras and ensembles across California. Both music and dog training require patience, clear communication, sensitivity and attention to detail and I bring those same skills into every session.
Dog Training Awards & Acknowledgements
