Sarah Dugger

I first realized the power and impact of training in 2012. At the time, I was working at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, observing Wouter Stellaard, a world-renowned animal trainer, train rats to complete an obstacle course. The five rats all named after different types of cheese, took the stage together. Four scurried around a pool, while one swam across, using the shortcut to get to the end faster. Watching the training process, and listening to the dialogue that occurred after every session, sparked a lifelong passion for the science of behavior. It was my lightbulb moment. Hi, my name is Sarah Duggar, owner of Good Dog & Co.,an animal trainer that applies the art and science of positive reinforcement to improve animal welfare, teach confidence in a variety of conditions, reinforce your bond with your pet, and equip your pet with the necessary skills for achieving a well-adjusted relationship with you, their human, and the world around them. I have more than a decade of experience studying the behavior of animals, and applying science-backed methods to most effectively and compassionately train them. Some highlights of my careerwhich has taken me from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to the Denver Zoo to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springsinclude working with tigers (my favorite animal), starting programs for animals with no history of positive-reinforcement training, being chosen to present at The Animal Behavior Management Alliance conference, and continuing to learn from experts in the field, like Stellaard, Steve Martin, and Dr. Susan Friedman. Over the years, I've trained loose-leash walking with warthogs, targeted a serval to jump 12 feet in the air, crate-trained a groundhog, and taught penguins to heelseriously. I've become fluent in the language of all animals (just call me a modern-day Dr. Dolittle), and now I bring that education and experience to train the animals we interact with most on a daily basis: our family pets. Whether you want to walk your dog without being pulled, stop your cat from urinating outside the litter box, or teach your parrot to step on your hand without biting, I work with you and your pet to meet your behavioral goals. When an animal realizes their behavior matters and they're happy about itthe best, most heartwarming part about being an animal trainer, in my opinionthat's where change happens. Through our training sessions, you'll get an up-close look at how small wins stack up to a lifetime of success and a fulfilling relationship with your furry (or feathery or scaly!) best friend. Education, Certifications, and Achievements: Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Ohio State University, 2014 Certificate of Excellence, Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals: The Fundamental Principles and Procedures of Teaching and Learning, 2015 Presenter, Choice-Based Training Improves Animal Welfare and Program Participation in Ambassador Animals, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance Conference, 2017 Certified Training Partner, Karen Pryor Academy's Professional Dog Training Program, 2021 Featured on The Animal Behavior Management Alliance's Facebook page for Behavior Month Cooperative Care Week Continuing education with experts in the field through Clicker Expo, Living and Learning with Animals Auditor, NEI Tec Talks, and more.