Meet Our San Diego Dog Trainers
Zoe Stathis
Owner
Certifications
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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During her time in San Diego, Zoe forged bonds with a number of the canine experts in the area, from veterinarians to groomers, daycare owners to pet sitters, canine wellness experts to nutritionists. She began to specialize in creating a holistic solution to each canine behavior challenge by integrating these professionals into the dogs modification program, ensuring that every influential aspect of the dogs life was held accountable for its impact on the dog’s overall behavior. She prides herself on selecting only the most talented, experienced, effective, and humane certified dog trainers to represent her companies and believes that Pack Method Prep is a place where canine STUDENTS can reach their full potential and canine PARENTS are challenged to better their understanding of the canine species as a whole.
Zoe specializes in the human aspect of the dog relationship and explaining canine communication to parents in a way that is relatable and clear. She strives to be a mentor for new trainers entering the canine learning industry and business professionals by leading the pack in ethical business practices and outstanding customer service.
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Alex Pederson
Administration Manager, 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.
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Alex understands firsthand what pet parents go through when their dog develops a behavioral issue. As the current Admin Manager at Pack Method Prep, Alex is the first point of contact for Pack Method Prep's clients. She is passionate about helping pet owners get the help they need by connecting them with the trainer likely to be the best fit and making the enrollment process as stress-free as possible. As a trainer, Alex specializes in Separation Anxiety.
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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 Valentine
Dog Behavior Consultant, Family Dog Mediator
Certifications
- LFDM-B Licensed Family Dog Mediator in Behavior Division
- CBCC-KA Certified Behavioral Consultant
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Complete Canines Certification in Canine Aggression and Master Course
- Certification in Separation Anxiety, CGC Evaluator, Canine CPR and First Aide
- Supporter of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
Ashley pursued her passion by obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The University of Connecticut in 2007 and by the age of 19 was training horses and managing a riding facility. She began training dogs in 2016 and since then has become the go-to trainer in San Diego to help owners with all levels of aggression, reactivity, and anxiety.
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In addition to positive reinforcement, Ashley specializes in the use of safe handling techniques, desensitization, and relaxation protocols. She recognizes that all approaches must be holistic and therefore incorporates her study of pain in dogs and partnerships with veterinary behaviorists to come up with the best plan in every case. She believes in educating parents as to WHY dogs behave the way they do and how we can help them in a humane, enriching, and enlightening way. She believes these methods will help bridge the gap between humans and dogs in order to have a better understanding, communication, and trusting relationship from both ends of the leash.
She regularly gives back to the canine community through volunteer training and fostering and can be found on the weekends at any local rescue event she can find. She has a special affinity for helping dogs in need reach a state of happiness and therefore specializes in Trauma, Behavioral or Rescue Dog Rehabilitation, Leash Aggression, Socialization, and all kinds of Fear, Anxiety, or Aggression.
Ashley has completed a number of courses throughout her tenure in order to create a comprehensive knowledge of canine behavior, including:
- The Complete Canine Certification in Canine Aggression master course by Michael Shikashio
- The Certification Course (F.D.M.) and Licensing Program as a Family Dog Mediator in Behavior (LFDM-B) through Kim Brophey
- The Master course on Separation Anxiety by Moira Hechenleitner DVM, CSAT
- The Certification Course in Recognizing Pain in Dogs
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Emma Castor
Private Dog Trainer, Group Class Teacher
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Complete Canines Certification in Canine Aggression and Master Course
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.
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As much as she loves dogs, Emma’s favorite aspect of dog training is working with the humans at the other end of the leash. She is passionate about teaching owners how their dogs think and learn, and how each dog’s behavior is the product of their genetics, their learning history, and their environment. Her goal is to give each family the tools they need to provide their dogs with a life that is safe, happy and fulfilling. She loves learning new methodologies and is constantly expanding her own education to bring industry best practices to her clients. She specializes in socialization, adolescent-onset problem behaviors and rescue dog rehabilitation.
Emmas has completed the Complete Canine Certification in Canine Aggression master course by Michael Shikashio and has a degree in Business Administration from Chapman University.
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Lindsey Kraal
Private Dog Trainer
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
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.
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For Lindsey, clear communication, consistency, and love/respect are the ultimate recipe for a successful and long-lasting relationship with your dog. Every dog is different and in order to work together, we must learn to understand each other’s own language. Exercise needs, breed tendencies, home life, and individual personalities are all taken into account when developing a training plan. Teaching a dog or puppy what he or she SHOULD do will set them up for success and eliminate any guesswork on what is expected of them. Lindsey specializes in Puppy Training, Basic Obedience, Newly Adopted/Insecure Dogs.
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Jacquelyn Court
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.
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She has worked with dogs of all ages and breeds in group classes and private one-on-one lessons. She strives to strengthen the bond between owner and dog by helping owners understand their dogs' body language, what rewards are most motivating, and how best to meet their dogs' most essential needs. Jacquelyn specializes in Puppy Training, Basic Obedience, and Confidence Building.
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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.
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Larsen is a San Diego native and has worked as a Lead Trainer in dog daycares, group classes, and as a Teacher at Pack Method Prep. She firmly believes that dog training must be curated for both dog and handler, and collaborates with owners to create recipes for success amidst busy lives.
An avid outdoorswoman, Larsen trains dogs in Southeast Alaska and around the Gulf Coast of Northern Florida. She passionately aims to embolden both dog and owner through the outdoors, while nurturing the intimate bond between human and canine.
Larsen specializes in puppy training, advanced recall, and leash walking.
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Julia Wurster
Private Dog Trainer
Certifications
- CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Julia started working with dogs in 2016 while earning her bachelors degree in Cognitive Science at the University of Southern California. She was fascinated with behavior and learning theory, so opted to follow her passion into a career in dog training. Julia entered the field with Little Angels Service Dogs, training all types of assistance skills such as public access, task training and scent detection. She then expanded her skills as a Teacher at Pack Method Prep through a focus on healthy dog socialization in a daycare setting and basic obedience for pet dogs.
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Julia believes in developing a partnership between people and their dogs by highlighting a dog’s natural drives/instincts and then showing them how to use these instincts to create fulfilling lives together. She is a strong advocate for bonding with your dog through shared activities: special outings, new tricks, cooperative playtime.
In her downtime, Julia and her dog Hammy are a registered therapy animal team- visiting hospitals together to promote wellness through human-animal connection. She also is heavily involved as dog sport competitor with her other dog, Honey. They compete in disc dog, agility, barn hunt, and nose work and always in the process of learning a new trick.
Julia specializes in confidence building/reactivity (especially in the young pups), leash skills, and has a particular interest in herding breeds/working dog roles in general- like dog sports, tricks/stunts, and assistance.
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