For over 30 years, I have been helping owners understand their canine companions by teaching them how to communicate through body language and pack behaviors.  Over the years I have researched and tested interactions and cues dogs use on each other and developed our K9 Workingmind programs. I found it fascinating that dogs do not use pain or fear against each other as humans have been told for years. They are strict, they have boundaries, but they are not aggressive by nature. I decided I wanted to help people understand this technique and it became quite the obsession of mine. Through my research and rehabilitation programs, many dogs deemed dangerously aggressive and unadoptable have been able to live calm, happy lives with their owners.
I started my career as a veterinary technician, where I quickly observed the lack of communication between human and dog. This is when I decided to dedicate my life to helping humans understand their dogs. I have never turned a dog away because most aggressions are human taught, through miscommunication. This means they can be rehabilitated with a dogs innate behaviors. My methods are based on how dogs communicate with each other by following their natural instincts, and, most importantly, keeping them in a “working-mind.” My own pack includes 8 wonderful rescue dogs, most of which had serious aggression issues, or were misunderstood. They are now all “good citizens” that help us help other dogs resolve their issues.
I fight everyday for all dogs and try to educate as many people as possible through our community programs, work with area shelters, and seminars; in hopes that our research and experience may someday help the public understand our “misunderstood” dogs. We believe a dog should WANT to learn, so force and fear have no place in the training world.

Howdy! My name is Laura and I have lived in the Austin area my whole life. My passion has always been centered around dogs and helping others to understand them. I am married to my wonderful wife, Kelly, and we have six work dogs in our pack:  Raven (malinois/shepherd), Benjamin (boxer mix), Forest (deaf & blind mini aussie), Kevin (labrador), Fez (whippet), and Gracie Lou (chihuahua).

I didn’t immediately get into the dog training world and instead was an elementary school teacher for 6 years first. Even during that time, I had been searching for a way to be an advocate for all dogs and move into a new career that allows me to intertwine my passion and help people communicate better with their dogs. I attended one of Tara’s seminars years ago while in college on body language and realized K9 Workingmind was the perfect place for me to learn, grow, and start my new journey.I haven’t looked back since taking that leap and choosing to follow my dream to help dogs and their owners understand each other better. I’ve been in this field now for 5 years and absolutely love what I do. Everyday I strive to become the trainer every dog deserves.