Experience

The Science of Behavior. The Art of the Dialogue.​

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Most people see dog training as a series of commands—Sit, Stay, Heel. At Trails to Obedience, we see it differently. I see a complex biological system that requires a diagnostic approach.

My name is Jason, and as a Behavioral Strategist and 50% owner of this business, I bring a level of professional pedigree to the leash that is rare in the industry. My methodology isn’t just based on "liking dogs"; it is built on over a lifetime of technical troubleshooting, high-stakes behavioral observation, and professional instruction.

 

The Clinical Eye: Biological & Performance Diagnostics​

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My approach is defined by a "Clinical Eye" developed through thousands of hours in environments where reading behavior was a matter of life and death.

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As a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Instructor and nearly a decade in Law Enforcement, I was trained to look past surface-level actions to observe the involuntary physiological responses of the nervous system. I don't just see a dog "acting out"; I see a biological system reacting to its environment.

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This diagnostic precision extends to the human half of the leash. As a Field Training Officer (FTO) and graduate of the prestigious UT. POST Instructor Development program, I spent years evaluating and mentoring professionals in real-time, high-pressure scenarios. I specialize in identifying exactly where communication or mechanics break down and providing the immediate "pivot" needed for success.

Proven Results in the Field​

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In the world of K9 work, there is no room for "theory"—there is only the result. For the past four years, I have dedicated myself to the craft of K9 trailing, both on and off-duty. Under the mentorship of the NE Houndsmen and through advanced training at the HITS K9 Conference, I have applied the "Dialogue" in the highest-stakes environments possible.

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I have successfully located missing endangered persons and criminal suspects in real-world scenarios. When the stakes include human life and public safety, the bond between handler and dog must be unbreakable. I bring that same level of accountability and field-tested precision to your home.

 

The Coach’s Heart: De-escalation & Pedagogy​

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Training a dog is 90% coaching the human. My background in CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training and Peer Support allows me to act as your advocate. I understand the emotional stress and "crisis" that comes with owning a reactive or difficult dog.

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My pedagogical skills were forged over 25 years in the competitive world of Lacrosse and five years of youth coaching. Whether I am breaking down defensive mechanics for a junior high athlete or teaching a dog owner how to handle a leash, I use Differential Reinforcement to ensure that learning is clear, positive, and resilient. Having studied the "neurobiology of stress" under Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (Bulletproof Mind), I provide the "calm in the chaos" for both you and your dog.

 

A Legacy of Troubleshooting​

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Long before the badge, my mind was trained for diagnostics. With five years of experience as an HVAC Technician and five years in Retail Management, my foundation is built on system-failure diagnostics and problem-solving. I view a behavioral issue the same way I view a complex mechanical system: I identify the break, isolate the variable, and engineer a strategy to fix it.

Why Choose a Behavioral Strategist?​

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When you hire us at Trails To Obedience, you aren't just getting a dog trainer; you are getting professionals. I have been vetted by the state of Utah to teach, lead, and observe. I don't "guess" why your dog is reacting—I use a lifetime of diagnostic experience to determine what is happening and how we are going to change it.