I developed my passion for dog training during my time as a Wildlife Biologist conducting Spotted Owl Surveys across Northern California.

I experienced firsthand the incredible benefits of having a well-trained dog at my side every day at work. This deepened my appreciation for the bond that comes from literally working with a working dog. That journey inspired me to change careers entirely and dedicate myself to helping others experience the same joy.

As a professional trainer, I love to help people strengthen their relationships with their dogs through training. I believe dogs should enrich our lives, and with the right guidance, everyone can enjoy their furry friendships even more. A dog’s job is to be a good dog, and I’m here to help you achieve that.

Hi, I’m Joanna Buckheit

Working solo in the woods inspired me to pursue my lifelong dream of having a working dog.

That dream became a reality with Gaara, who quickly became my right-hand and faithful companion. He has saved my life many times as my personal protection dog when we were deep in the Redwood Forests.

Together, Gaara and I pursued many things including protection work, scent detection for endangered species surveys, herding, and hunting anything from bullfrogs to pest control in a ranch environment.