OUR MISSION:

Christine’s journey with dogs began at the age of ten when her grandparents gifted her with a Shih-Tzu puppy. Her nine-year tenure in 4-H Dog Club launched her interest in K9 Training, a trade she pursued part-time following high school graduation.

In 2013, Christine brought home two 7-week-old puppies from the same litter: Trouper, a low-drive, laid back fellow; and Trustee, a high-drive, aggressive pup who quickly became a handful. 

By 3 months of age, Trustee appeared to be on a fast track to becoming a rescue.

When all attempts to train Trustee only increased his aggressive tendencies, Christine began to earnestly search for answers. The authentic principles she discovered transformed her approach to training and became the major turning point in Trustee’s behavior.

Trustee’s amazing turn-around inspired Christine with a vision for helping other “Trustee” puppies and became the impetus for founding Trustee Training Services in the spring of 2014. Christine and Trustee now work together to empower handlers with trust-based training that cultivates mutual respect and enables dogs to reach their potential.

Christine’s passion is to see more “Trustee Paws” in the community by equipping dog/handler teams with the skills necessary to be of service at home and abroad. 

Please visit our Community Impact Page to see ways that Trustee, Trouper, and other “Trustee” puppies are actively serving their community.

David joined the Trustee Training team in May of 2021 and brings fresh energy and perspective to training sessions. His unique ability to connect with young and inexperienced handlers has made him an instant and valuable asset to our team.

Drawing from an extensive background in corporate IT work and leadership, David works with Christine to help K9 handlers master the basics of being an influential K9 leader. Together, they cast a powerful vision for how to build a strong relationship of trust and respect between dog and handler.

David is actively involved in creating training video resources for our clients. His creativity and passion for excellence continually increase our capacity to bring top-notch training to both dogs and their handlers.

Trustee is a patient teacher and trusted mentor to the puppies and people we serve. With training in advanced obedience, basic agility, directional work, and search and rescue, Trustee possesses all the skills and qualities of a wonderful working dog. Trustee is almost always “along for the ride” and is often integrated into training sessions with clients. 

Trustee’s favorite pastime is playtime, but when his work hat is on, he’s all business!

Trouper is a career couch potato and a natural-born people lover. Having served for over six years in Concord Community Schools as a Reading Buddy and Therapy Dog, Trouper loves to use his gifts to make each person feel special.

Trouper may not share Trustee’s passion for hard work, but he sure knows how to light up a room with his warm and affectionate personality.

Lad joined our pack in May of 2020 as an 8-week-old puppy, carefully and intentionally chosen to be Trustee’s successor and our next working partner. He won our hearts instantly with his precocious personality and insatiable appetite for learning new things.

On August 5, 2021, our hearts broke as we unexpectedly had to part with our Lad after he suffered a series of debilitating seizures. Lad left a lasting legacy in our hearts through the lessons he taught us during the 14 months we were blessed to call him ours, lessons we now call “Lessons from Lad.” We invite you to let Lad leave a few paw prints on your heart by visiting our Lad Lessons Facebook Page.