About Us

Erin Kramer UW-AAB

Tug Dogs Owner, Lead Trainer, and Trainer’s Course Instructor

Erin Kramer is a professionally certified dog trainer and holds a Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington. Erin has worked as a trainer’s instructor internationally and has developed her own highly acclaimed trainer’s academy for those wanting to work professionally with dogs including a virtual training program. Erin is also an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, both a service and therapy dog evaluator, has trained and handled dogs for both TV and film, has supplied working K9’s for police and personal protection, has won obedience training competitions, and has testified in numerous court cases as a canine behavior and aggression expert. Most importantly, Erin is an avid dog lover with a thoughtful approach to working with each client she meets (human and dog). Erin spends her off time teaching her Tug Dogs Training System to animal shelters and dog rescue organizations to help better the lives of dogs in need.

Michelle Hawk

Behavior Specialist, Virtual Coach Specialist, Primitive Breed Specialist

Michelle joined us at Tug Dogs after she brought in her own high energy dog Sage in for training and caught the training bug! Graduating with a degree in psychology from California State University Sacramento, Michelle’s academic background combined with her hardworking nature made her a great fit for being on team Tug Dogs. Michelle is pending as a Certified Canine Athlete Special from Colorado State University Pueblo and has also completed three Tug Dog’s trainer’s courses followed by a lengthy apprenticeship program and has put all that learning to excellent use! Michelle is an outstanding trainer who works hard to develop relationships with each dog she trains and has excelled in every dog training task we have thrown her way including training service and therapy dogs, aggression rehabilitation and more. Over the last 6 years Michelle has had a special emphasis in working with primitive breeds of dogs including her own Peruvian Inca Orchid dog. In addition to working with Tug Dogs, Michelle also owns Sage Canines, a dog training business located in Southern Washington.

Stacy Dugdale

Behavior Specialist, Sport Dog Trainer, CGC Evaluator

Fate brought Stacy to us here at Tug Dogs as she desperately searched for a trainer who could help her better understand and train her dog Puck who suffered from serious behavior issues. As an incredibly dedicated dog owner, Stacy had tried no less than 5 other trainers and spent thousands of dollars without finding training that worked for her and Puck. We were thrilled to help Stacy understand and work with Puck’s behavioral issues and even more thrilled when she hung around for multiple trainer’s courses to learn about canine training and behavior in depth! Stacy has been a volunteer with local animal shelters and a foster home taking in rescues in need from various rescue groups throughout the state as well as teaching shelter volunteers how to work with at risk dogs. Stacy is a course instructor for our dog training students, is a certified Canine Nosework Trainer, is an American Kennel Club CGC evaluator, and is currently training in ringsport with her Belgian Malinois named Devo who has earned his Brevet and Ring 1 titles. In addition to her work with Tug Dogs, Stacy owns Country Road Canines. Stacy’s clients rave about her skilled human and canine training skills that ensure dog owners get the results they need.

Rachelle Skinner

Behavior Specialist, Virtual Coach Specialist, Grooming Behavior Modification Trainer

Rachelle came to Tug Dogs after graduating from another professional trainer’s school where she got a solid foundation in training but wanted to expand her skills and delve further into behavior modification topics such as anxiety and aggression issues. Rachelle has worked as both a high level, professional groomer, and trainer and has completed both our foundation and advanced trainer’s courses as well as her apprenticeship program. Rachelle has previously co-founded a prison dog training program, co-operates an animal related non-profit organization, has worked professionally as a service dog trainer, and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator.  In addition, Rachelle owns her own training business named Good Sense Dogs. Rachelle has rapidly become an indispensable part of the Tug Dogs team and has earned lots of praise from her clients for her top-notch training skills.

Cheantelle Camaioni

Behavior Specialist, Sport & Working Dog Coach, Off Leash Training Specialist

When we met Cheantelle in one of our trainer’s school sessions, we could see immediately her passion and drive for working with dogs and knew she would be a good fit for joining Tug Dogs. Prior to joining us, Cheantelle was an active dog owner and foster/volunteer with local dog rescues. Cheantelle passed both the Tug Dogs foundation and advanced trainer’s courses with ease in addition to completing our mandatory appreciate program directly under Tug Dogs owner Erin. Trainer Cheantelle has completed certification as a Canine Nosework Instructor, is a course instructor for our dog trainer’s programs, and is active with her Belgian Malinois Nova and Hana in scent work, IPO, dock diving, and has even dabbled in sheep herding. Cheantelle is an incredibly talented trainer and we are thrilled to have her join us!

Rebecca Lane UW-AAB

Behavior Specialist, Anxiety Specialist, Lead Separation Anxiety Coach

Rebecca’s journey started with her rescue dog Wyatt who had crippling generalized and separation anxiety. Helping Wyatt find relief and live his doggy life lead Rebecca on a journey to specialize in helping with dogs suffering from anxious behaviors.  Rebecca has completed both the Foundation Trainer’s Course as well as our Advanced Trainer’s Course, and completed our comprehensive Apprenticeship Program. Outside of Tug Dogs learning, Rebecca has earned certification as a Separation Anxiety Training Pro, Certification in Companion Animal Applied Behavior from the University of Washington, and is a Kids Around Dogs approved trainer. In addition, Rebecca graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program and is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She brings a holistic view of overall wellness when working with dogs in our training programs. Rebecca participates in continuing education building upon the knowledge she obtained in the Tug Dogs Trainers Courses and, in addition to her work with Tug Dogs, Rebecca owns AmaZEN Canines located in beautiful Amador County. Rebecca’s passion for all things dogs can be seen in her foster work helping local rescues in need and in her care and consideration with each dog she is working with.

Julie Christensen

Behavior Specialist,  Sighthounds Specialist

Julie is a star student from both our beginning and advanced trainer’s courses in addition to a current foster home provider and volunteer for Golden State Greyhound Rescue where she assists with rescue greyhounds coming off the racing track. In addition, Julie has previously volunteered at Sacramento County Animal Shelter and has also worked in basic horse training skills and is even considering teaching her chickens an agility routine! Julie has completed a Canine Conditioning Coaching Certification and continues her education by participating in various canine sports and workshops. Julie is an outstanding trainer who is wonderful addition to the Tug Dogs Team.

Cheri Raymond CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA

Behavior Specialist, Lead Resource Guarding Virtual Coach, Border Collie/Herding Breed Specialist

Cheri is a talented dog trainer who has completed our foundation trainer’s course, advanced course and has completed the rigorous certification required by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Cheri has used these skills as a trainer working for a large canine rescue organization located in Northern California and serving on the board or directors for another canine rescue organization, helping dogs and their people work through challenging problem behaviors. Cheri has also used her training skills by welcoming countless foster dogs into her home for training and by training her resident dogs Sierra, Ruby and Dexter to become outstanding role model dogs.  Cheri makes it a point to continue to grow her skills as a trainer by participating in continued training education including in agility training. We are so thrilled to have Cheri join our ranks!

James McKellips

Apprentice Trainer

When we met James at one of our trainer’s courses his passion, empathy and dedication to helping dogs stood out immediately. James has been a business owner in the pet industry since 2006 working as a professional pet sitter and dog walker throughout the Sacramento area. James successfully completed our Fundamentals of Dog Training course as is working his way through our advanced apprentice program currently. In his spare time, James and his wife enjoy caring for their little family farm which includes chickens, dogs, cats, bees, and a pig. Any dog and human would be lucky to have James supporting them along their training journey.

Tara Guerrette

Apprentice Trainer, Virtual Coach Specialist

While offering our community outreach training to the amazing staff at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe we had the fortunate opportunity to meet Tara who was previously employed as the shelter’s Adoption & Customer Service Specialist and Canine Enrichment Coordinator. Tara spent her time working with shelter dogs to help them grow positive behavior habits and find loving, forever homes. Tara has added to her canine education by taking part in a mentorship at Austin Pets Alive and receiving her JSDT1 certificate from Joel Silverman. In addition Tara has completed our Fundamentals of Dog Training course is and is currently making her way through our advanced apprentice program.

Dana McKellips

Behavior Specialist, Separation Anxiety Specialist

Dana is a compassionate and dedicated dog trainer who has devoted her life to helping people and their pets live better. From her experience as a veterinary technician to being the co-owner of a successful dog walking and pet sitting small business operating in the Sacramento area, Dana brings great skills and insight to our team. Dana has completed both our Foundation Trainer’s Course and ongoing education through our advanced, apprenticeship program. Dana has also completed the Controlled Unleashed trainer’s program to become a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) and the Separation Anxiety Pro certification program.