Sarah Dugger, KPA CTP
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Behavior Consultant & Animal Trainer
Colorado Springs, CO & Virtual Coaching Worldwide
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I first realized the power and impact of positive reinforcement training in 2012. At the time, I was working at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, observing Wouter Stellaard, a world-renowned animal trainer, train rats to complete an obstacle course. The five rats—all named after different types of cheese—took the stage together. Four scurried around a pool, while one swam across, using the shortcut to get to the end faster.
Watching the training process, and listening to the dialogue that occurred after every session, sparked a lifelong passion for the science of animal behavior. It was my lightbulb moment.
Hi, my name is Sarah Dugger, owner of Good Dog & Co.
an animal trainer that applies the art and science of positive reinforcement to improve animal welfare, teach confidence in a variety of conditions, reinforce your bond with your pet, and equip your pet with the necessary skills for achieving a well-adjusted relationship with you, their human, and the world around them.
I have more than a decade of specialized experience studying the behavior of animals, and applying science-backed methods to most effectively and compassionately train them. Some highlights of my career—which has taken me from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to the Denver Zoo to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs—include working with tigers (my favorite animal), starting programs for animals with no history of positive-reinforcement training, being chosen to present at The Animal Behavior Management Alliance conference, and continuing to learn from experts in the field, like Stellaard, Steve Martin, Dr. Susan Friedman, and Rick Hester.
Over the years, I’ve trained loose-leash walking with warthogs, targeted a serval to jump 12 feet in the air, crate-trained a groundhog, and taught penguins to heel—seriously. I’ve become fluent in the language of all animals (just call me a modern-day Dr. Dolittle), and now I bring that education and experience to train the animals we interact with most on a daily basis: our family pets. Whether you want to walk your dog without being pulled, prevent your cat from urinating outside the litter box, or deter biting when handling your parrot, I work with you and your pet to meet your behavioral goals.
When an animal realizes their behavior matters and they’re happy about it—the best, most heartwarming part about being an animal trainer, in my opinion—that’s where change happens. Through our training sessions, you’ll get an up-close look at how small wins stack up to a lifetime of success and a fulfilling relationship with your furry (or feathery or scaly!) best friend.
Education, Certifications, and Achievements
Bachelor of Science in Zoology, The Ohio State University, 2014
Certificate of Excellence, Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animals: The Fundamental Principles and Procedures of Teaching and Learning, 2015
Presenter, “Choice-Based Training Improves Animal Welfare and Program Participation in Ambassador Animals,” The Animal Behavior Management Alliance Conference, 2017
Promoted to Senior Animal Care Specialist, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (leaders in animal care and behavior), 2021
Certified Training Partner, Karen Pryor Academy’s Professional Dog Training Program, 2021
Snow Leopard Training & Behavior Consultant, “Wildoak,” C.C. Harrington, 2021-2022
Featured on The Animal Behavior Management Alliance’s Facebook page for Behavior Month Cooperative Care Week, 2022
Cat Behavior Consultant, “Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide To Understanding Your Cat”, Lili Chin, 2023
Voted Top Ohio Dog Trainer & Top 10% of all Positive Reinforcement Trainers Nationwide, Sniffspot, 2023
Featured Trainer, “Cue Discrimination”, Karen Pryor Academy Blog and ClickerTraining Instagram Post, 2024
Continuing education through ClickerExpo conferences, auditing courses like Living and Learning with Animals, Natural Encounters, Inc. Tec Talks, and more
Podcast
Guest Speaker, Episode 14, “The Science is the Same: From Zoo Training to Pet Training,” Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA, 2023
Panelist, Episode 30, “Classical and Operant and Schedules...Oh My! The Podcast in Review - Part One", Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA, 2023
Panelist, Episode 31, “The Podcast in Review - Part Two - Discussions on Human Care, Molding, Criteria, and Labels”, Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA, 2023
Additional Resources
Enjoy bonding with your pet as you learn together
Your needs are just as important as your pet’s needs. Based in Colorado Springs, CO and Columbus, OH with virtual coaching world wide, we will build a personalized strategy that benefits everyone