Meet Our San Diego Dog Trainers
Zoe Stathis
Owner
Certifications
- CBCC-KA Certified Behavioral Consultant
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Zoe is the puppet master behind Pack Method Prep. She has been training dogs professionally for over a decade and is one of only 4 certified behavioral consultants in San Diego County. Throughout her career Zoe has achieved a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Syracuse University, assisted in growing and managing a startup dog daycare, expanded a small local training company into The #1 Dog Training Company in San Diego, started her own private training company (Zoe's Dog Training) and grew it into one of the highest recommended and best-reviewed training companies in the city, co-starred in a series on Animal Planet called Cat Versus Dog alongside the world’s most respected domestic cat expert, and launched San Diego’s first and only comprehensive Canine Preparatory School.
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Jacquelyn Court
Administrative Manager, Private Dog Trainer
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Jacquelyn has been a long-time animal advocate and began training dogs professionally in 2016. She earned her bachelor's Degree from SDSU with a minor in Psychology, furthering her interest in the brain and how animals think.
Our Training Methodology
Reward-Based Training
All trainers with Pack Method Prep are certified, use science-based approaches to canine learning, and specialize in the use of positive reinforcement to achieve behavior goals.
Educated and Motivational Approach
We get to know each pup on an individual basis and subscribe to the Humane Hierarchy (making sure their physical and emotional needs are met first and their environment is set up to promote success before expecting miracles). We evaluate motivators thoroughly to find what will drive your pup to want to meet their goals as much as you do.
Happy Pups and Informed Parents
We open up communication so that your pup can understand you, and you understand them. Professionally guided sessions result in happy pups feeling more confident in their human partners and happy parents feeling more educated and empowered to pilot and enrich their pups’ lives.
Our Certified Dog Trainers
Ashley Larsen
Private Dog Trainer, Group Class Teacher
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Canine CPR & First Aide
Ashley Larsen, also known as “Larsen”, started working with dog shelters and rescue barns in 2007. Fascinated by the influence of nature via nurture, Larsen obtained her Bachelors in Neuropsychology at UC Berkeley. Using a scientific lens, she assesses the whole dog by looking at what impacts behavior, such as genetics, environment, needs, and neurodevelopment.
Alex Pederson
Private Dog Trainer
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Certified in Separation Anxiety
As the previous general manager of Pack Method Prep in 2019, Alex was driven headfirst into the dog training world. She applied her knowledge to her own dog that struggled with fear aggression and reactivity and after engulfing herself in the industry has become a certified dog trainer herself.
Emma Castor
Private Dog Trainer, Group Class Teacher
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Complete Canines Certification in Canine Aggression and Master Course
- Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Emma’s experience with dogs began as a volunteer at a local rescue in 2018, working primarily with former street dogs from Mexico. By serving as a foster, adoption coordinator, and volunteer trainer, she became adept at helping dogs and their new families through the transition of rehoming. She also gained valuable experience with street dogs and the behaviors typical of their unique backgrounds. In 2021, she chose to make dog training her career where her focus shifted to dogs going through adolescence.
Lindsey Kraal
Private Dog Trainer
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Canine CPR & First Aide
Lindsey has been training animals professionally since 2006. She studied Exotic Animal Training and Management at Moorpark College and completed Trish King's Canine Behavior Academy. Before moving exclusively to dogs, she was a zookeeper and animal trainer at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.