The first question most people have is, “Is Youngblood your real name?”

And yes — it really is. My parents were hippies and they named me after a book they read in college titled Youngblood Hawke by Herman Wouk. It’s a doorstop of a book, but honestly a pretty entertaining read.

With that out of the way, the next question I often get is, “How did you get into dog training?” The truth is, I’ve been around dogs for as long as I can remember.I have been around dogs for as long as I can remember. Whether it was my own dogs or a random stray that would show up at our front door which I would take care of, I always felt an affinity with dogs. I would give preference to their company and honestly, not much has changed.

My formal knowledge of dog training began in 1994, when I started working at the SF SPCA. That’s where I met Ivan Balabanov, one of the most accomplished dog trainers in the United States. I apprenticed with Ivan for four years, working with him to evaluate and train the dogs at the SF SPCA and assisting at his Schutzhund training club. The time I spent learning from Ivan proved invaluable. He emphasized the importance of being clear, concise, and fair when training dogs. And to understand the science behind how dogs learn

After Ivan departed to open his own training facility, I began training on my own. At first with the Schutzhund club and eventually transitioning to training pet dogs full time. During that time, I naturally developed my own training style and my approach to dog training has grown through the thousands of hours I have spent working with dogs and the people who love them. These experiences helped shape a method that is based on learning theory, yet presented in a straightforward, practical way that makes it easy for my clients to understand and to apply during training. Ultimately, my goal goes beyond helping clients train their dogs; it’s about fostering understanding that leads to a stronger bond, based on trust and clear communication.

From puppy training and basic obedience to fear, reactivity, and aggression-related issues, I offer practical, real-world solutions to help you and your dog succeed.

If you need a reliable and experienced dog trainer in the Portland Metro area, I’m committed to helping you understand and resolve any behavioral challenges, as well as build a more balanced and harmonious relationship with your canine companion.