I grew up one of five kids in South Georgia and went to college at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where I graduated with a bachelor’s of science in middle grades education. Not exactly what you thought for a professional dog trainer, right? It’s not what I thought would happen either, but here I am!

When I got married at the ripe age of 21 years, I intended to become a middle school math teacher. It seemed the logical career path. But when teaching wasn’t panning out the way I thought it would, I started looking for other opportunities for how I could put my teaching skills to good use. I’ve always enjoyed learning and teaching in any subject I enjoy, whether that’s fitness, Harry Potter trivia, or how to install a light fixture — I just love teaching others! So in 2012, when my mother-in-law, Becky Bishop, needed more help at Puppy Manners, she asked me to come on board and I became a sponge for that dog trainer life!

I’m now the lead trainer and office manager for Puppy Manners. And many of the dogs I meet in our classes are dogs I see everyday at the Puppy Manners Day School OR who sign up for one of my board & train programs.

A few other non-dog related things about me? I love Crossfit and re-watching episodes of Avatar, the Last Airbender. When I’m not training dogs, I’m renovating our four acre home in Woodinville alongside my wife and kids. My wife, Carly, and I have been married 16 years and we have three little boys, ages eight, six, and two. We also have two dogs, Easy, an English Labrador and Sister, a boxer. We also have a Ragdoll kitty named Bokeh. It’s a full house!