Hey There

That’s me with my first Staffordshire, Indiana Jones. She had a rough start, but ultimately led a well-rounded life full of adventures. (even if she did hate it when I squished her like that.) She’s the dog who inspired me to enter the dog training world back in 1999 and taught me so much. Below is A LOT of information. Read as little or as much as you need. Finding the right dog trainer is more than just credentials; it's about finding a good match. The work isn't just for your dog; it's for you and your family as well. Read on and/or contact me to learn more.

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Why should you work with me?

Consultation Fees deducted from cost of any full program or package purchased
Use of WhatsApp for added support between sessions
Daily updates for dogs of photos and videos in Day Training
In-Home lessons for real-life troubleshooting
Continued Education options for training beyond your initial goals
Online classes
Free Meet-Ups
References & Connections with other facilities such as Board & Train companies, dog sitters, groomers, etc.

Ultimately, the trainer you select should be one you trust, match well with, and can meet your needs. We are all educators with access to the same information. How we sift through that information and customize it for you and your dog may differ. If you need a recommendation for a service or type of training (sports/protection work) I do not offer, I'd be happy to assist.

I've been in your shoes:

I've owned the reactive dog, the insane puppy, the shy fearful dog, I've been kicked out of group classes, I've made mistakes, I've had regrets, I've cried.

I have the education:

Countless books, research papers, seminars, workshops, online courses, and training courses from a wide variety of professionals in the dog/ animal behavior industry. And I'm not done - I continue to seek out new information and experts in various fields of animal behavior and health.

I have more experience than I'd like to admit:

I was a dog groomer for 28 years. I've been training dogs for 15 of those years, 12 of which were as a Senior Trainer & Program Manager with Opportunity Barks, a Dog Training Business with two locations in the Philadelphia area.

I was a business major and theater minor:

Besides working with dogs I have experience and knowledge of managing teams, building projects, and definitely NOT being the main character. Jokes aside- Theater was an amazing experience that would humble anyone! My point is: the creativity and team work in theater is not much different than what is needed in dog training. I want this to be fun for you as well as educational.

I aim to build a community:

Philadelphia is filled with dogs and I couldn't possibly train them all if I wanted to. These dogs need all sorts of caregivers like walkers, day care, sitters, and more. I'm trying to do more to bring those businesses together, share information, and create collaboration instead of competition.

Client for life:

I value each and every one of my clients and will be here to support you in any way I can even after your program is over. I understand that dog training is not linear, has hurdles, and can (and should) continue for our dogs throughout their lives.

What clients are saying:

Shannon with Sonny & Sara

"I’ll start by saying — Grey Dog Alliance is hands down, Philadelphia’s best dog trainer! Ingrid has transformed our lives and greatly enriched the lives of both of our pups when we truly felt so isolated and stuck. We have two extremely active, hunting dog breeds — Ingrid has worked with us on everything from the extremes of behavior modification to the basics of how to cope with the quirks of city living when you have very active dogs.
For extreme behavior modification —
We went from only being able to go outside with our Viszla with a muzzle on to avoid him ingesting objects that had previously landed him in emergency surgery (!)— to being able to live a normal happy life again where he has clear boundaries and responds to the communication system that Ingrid has helped us build with him. Reliable “out”, “place”, “nope”, “good” commands, among others, have taught us to build a strong communication system that we can tap into in any environment or scenario with high reliability.
Then on the flip side — Ingrid has helped us navigate the day-to-day hurdles that come with city living. Getting our pups to not pull us over chasing after a squirrel in the park, enforcing good greeting manners to navigate apartment building living, teaching us how to give our dogs enrichment since we don’t have a yard, and helping us navigate two dog walking.
Ingrid sets an incredibly high bar and is truly expert at teaching dogs and humans to navigate both the really serious issues, and the day to day quirks. We’re grateful to be clients."

My Dogs (past and present)

Valkyr

Red-Bone Coon Hound

Although my parents had an Irish Setter who acted like my nanny, this pup was my first dog. I slept in her dog bed, she slept in mine, we did everything together. I invented a "Dog Fishing Pole" to play with her and 30+ years later was kicking myself for not

getting a patent for the idea after I saw "Flirt Poles" in pet stores.

Thistle

Labrador Retriever

Thistle was a big part of my teenage years and early adult life. With her, I began to do more than just trick-training like I did with Valkyr. I worked on impulse control, leash skills, and communication. She also became my hiking buddy and even when I moved out I still kept up our walks and adventures. Boy-oh-boy, do we have some stories!

Indiana Jones

Staffordshire Terrier

This girl changed everything. And I mean everything. She was an owner-surrendered dog with a history of biting a human and a dog. No one wanted her, no one wanted me to take her. Except my two co-workers who said I'd take her without asking me if I would. I will forever be grateful that they did. In a time when everyone still hated the breed, she played her part in changing hearts and minds. Not to mention my training journey became immediately more intense and serious. Her success is what helped me gain my first few clients.

Scarett Grey

Pit-Mix

Just when you think you know everything, life sends you a Scarlett Grey. She was on the "urgent list" at ACCT for far too long. As sweet and loving as she was, she had many behavioral issues. MANY! I felt ill-equipped to help her, but soon found out so was everyone else. Even the Dog Training company that hired me to join their team was stumped.

After the same old tired methods for addressing her separation anxiety and reactivity, I did my own research and own methods to help her have a MUCH better life.

Alice Mai

Staffy/Pit Mix

Alice is my current dog. Her mother was rescued by the Philly Bully Team from a kill shelter down south and gave birth to her pups en route. I was fortunate enough to get one of the pups in early 2023 and have thoroughly enjoyed the puppy experience. Due to my role as Senior Dog Trainer and Program Manager within the company I worked at the time, Alice grew up working around dogs and has helped me mentor other trainers under my management. With Grey Dog Alliance she continues to assist me, but also keeps me on my toes. Her energy and drive is through the roof and our journey has only just begun.

more info:

Skills / Experience

PUPPY:

Development & Manners, Crate Training, Potty Training, life skills, leash skills

ADULTS AND RESCUES:

Relationship Building, Basic Manners, Life Skills, Leash Skills, Crate Training, Tricks & Obedience

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:

Fears, Phobias, General Anxiety, Separation Anxiety, Cat & Dog harmony, Intra-Household Aggression, Leash Reactivity, Dog Aggression, Human Aggression, Baby Intro & integration, Guarding/ingesting issues

GROUP CLASSES:

agility, scent work, recall, tricks, grooming seminars, puppy basics, puppy socials, pack walks,

OTHER:

deaf dogs, blind dogs, tripod dogs, dog packs, group play

Mini CV

1993 - 2003: Dog Groomer at All God's Creatures & Digger Dog's Pet Grooming | Independent Dog Sitter & Training (basic skills)

2003 - 2008: Supervisor / Production Coordinator at Disc Makers | Part-time Independent Dog Groomer + Trainer

2008 - 2011 Operations Manager at Finch Brands | Independent Dog Groomer | Shadow dog trainer at Opportunity Barks (1yr) | Volunteer work at local shelters | Volunteer Trainer for dog meet-up groups

2011 - 2020 Dog Trainer at Opportunity Barks | Senior Dog Groomer & Operations Manager at Digger Dog's Pet Grooming

2020 - 2024 Senior Dog Trainer and Program Manager at Opportunity Barks. Mentored, and trained new team members + designed / helped create curriculums and programs.

2024 - Grey Dog Alliance