Toni
Pennsylvania
Specialisations
Inspiration
Toni’s journey into dog training began when she rescued her pit bull, Peri, who had been abandoned and left to survive on the streets in terrible condition. The process of rehabilitating Peri revealed the incredible resilience of dogs and the profound ways they can impact human lives—both physically and emotionally. Her service dog, Olive, also played a pivotal role in inspiring her career, offering Toni daily support and comfort while bringing the same sense of calm to others. These experiences solidified Toni’s commitment to helping dogs and their people thrive together.
Professional Experience
Toni is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) with over a decade of hands-on animal care experience, including work in boarding kennels, veterinary offices, and in-home training. She has led group classes, private sessions, and board-and-train programs, customising her methods to meet each dog-and-owner team’s needs. Toni also produces recorded training tutorials and provides actionable, easy-to-follow guidance so clients can continue making progress outside of formal sessions.
Training Focus
Toni is especially passionate about service dog task training and behavioural modification, helping dogs build the skills and confidence to navigate an often overwhelming world. Her expertise spans a wide range of training needs, from puppy foundations to addressing complex behaviour challenges.
Training Philosophy
For Toni, training should always be enjoyable—for both the dog and the owner. She follows a positive reinforcement approach guided by LIMA (Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive) principles to ensure her methods are effective, ethical, and tailored to each individual dog. Her goal is to make training a rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between dogs and their humans.
Certifications
Why choose us
Positivity
We utilize positive reinforcement to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. Our training philosophy centers on maintaining a positive approach, emphasizing the rewarding of desired behaviors rather than using punishment for unwanted ones.
Expert Trainers
Our team of experienced trainers is skilled in addressing a wide range of behavioral issues and training goals using positive reinforcement methods. With years of hands-on experience and a passion for canine behavior, our trainers are dedicated to helping each dog reach their full potential in a compassionate and supportive environment.
Individualised Attention
At Tail Tales Academy, we believe that every dog is unique. That’s why each dog receives personalized care and attention, ensuring that their specific needs are met. Our tailored programs focus on the individual characteristics and learning pace of your dog, providing a customized approach that leads to effective and enduring results.
Proven Results
Our custom programs are designed to achieve lasting results, helping your dog become a well-behaved and happy member of your family. We use evidence-based training techniques and continuously monitor progress, making adjustments as needed to ensure your dog's success. Our clients consistently see improvements in behavior, obedience, and overall well-being.
Comprehensive Programs
We offer a wide range of programs to suit every dog and owner’s needs, from basic puppy training to advanced protection work. Our holistic approach covers all aspects of canine care and training, including nutrition, exercise, and mental stimulation. Whether your goal is basic obedience, behavior modification, or specialized training, we have a program that fits.
Lifetime Support
We understand that training doesn't stop when the program ends. Tail Tales Academy offers ongoing support to help you maintain your dog's progress at home. Our trainers are available for follow-up consultations, and we provide resources and guidance to help you continue reinforcing good behavior and training techniques.