MEET
MARKUS & LAURA
We are an animal loving couple who landed in Virginia from Germany. We were raised with animals and volunteered in animal-related causes for many years. We learned the art of grooming in Germany and we settled in one of the most beautiful areas of Virginia to provide quality grooming and care. To us, animals are family, and we share our life with two dogs, a cat, and many fosters. Our shop is located in a natural environment, in the heart of the Occoquan forest, surrounded by nature and peace. Laura is a Certified Ethical Dog Trainer and Behavior Specialist graduate from the prestigious Turid Rugaas Nordic School of Dog Training based in Norway. She is a Fear-Free Certified Professional, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants IAABC, Pet Professional Guild (Force Free Only largest association) and a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT.org). Laura is the only certified canine behavior consultant in the county, and one of 13 in the state of Virginia. In addition, she volunteers with 501c3 canine rescue organizations providing assistance with behavioral cases, fearful and reactive dogs. She is also an Associate Member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe, the largest force-free trainer organization in Europe.​​
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We look forward to meeting you and we welcome you to our shop!​
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Additional education:
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2025 ONGOING STUDIES: Canine Ethology - University of Budapest, Ethology Department - Dr. Adam Miklosi, Dr. Kálmán Czeibert, Dr. Anna Gergely. Hungary
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2025 Separation Anxiety Conference: Dr. M.Hochenleitner, Dr. E. Christensen, Dr. A.Batson, Dr Amy Cook, US.
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2025 PICA disorder seminar, Dr. C.Pachel, US.
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2025 Victoria Stillwell Dog Behavior Conference including Dr Amber Batson (Gut and Brain), Andrew Hale (Canine Social Pain) Sara Fisher (ACE Model), and Sindhoor Pangal (Social lives of free living dogs).
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2025 Acute and chronic pain in osteoarthritis related to canine behavior- Dr Hannah Capon, UK. PDTE Education series.
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2025 - Canine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dr. F. McMillan, US. PDTE Education Series.
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2025 Foundational Postural Analyst Diploma. Canine Myotherapy & Biomechanics- Galen Myotherapy, UK.
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2025 Canine Defensive Handling/ Aggression- Michael Shikashio & Trish McMillan.
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2024 Let Sleeping Dogs lie- Canine Sleep Seminar Dr. A, Batson, UK.
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2024 Beyond Basics- Seminar for Dog Behavior Professionals- Dr. M. Bekoff, Dr A. Batson, Nordic School of Dog Training, Norway.
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2024 - Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Food Therapy 101 - Dr. J. Morgan, US.
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2023 Canine Impulsivity, Reactivity and Fear Mentorship IAABC- Dr. K. Spaulding, US.
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2023 Cognition and its role in Behavior - Dr. K. Spaulding, US
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2022 The Forensics of Aggression - IAABC Dr. J. Crosby, US
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2022 Ethology and Canine Ethology- Dr. K. Spaulding, US
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2023 K9 Misbehavior Modification Series - Pat Miller & Trish King ( Puppyworks) US
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2022 Dog Sports & Behavior Series: Scent Detection - How Scent Detection can Help Address Behavior Issues in the Real World- Dr. B. Bhambree. (Behavior Vets)
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2021 Working with severe Aggression cases- Dr. J. Crosby, US
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2021 Introduction to Veterinary forensics- Dr. B. Bhambree (Behavior vets) US
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2021 Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs- Malena De Martini ( Behavior Vets) US
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2019-2020 Peaceable Paws Dog Training Academy, US.
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