Staci, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, conducts all of our classes here at APCC, and private lessons in the client's home or at the training center. She started out with APC as a dog walker in 2008, and has since taken over all classes for our former instructor. Staci started training in 1992 with her dog, Spartacus who was in several independent films. She began professionally in 2002 with her paid canine actor, and earning her CPDT in 2005 after years of hands on training with other certified trainers. Staci lives with Arrow and Archer her Shelties, two cats Blitz and Precious, her husband Conor, a tank full of fish and snails, and sometimes Rufus the Rottweiler. She is strongly against aversive methods, and works hard to keep pets from being re-homed due to behavior whenever possible. Her main philosophy has to do with fostering communication between owners and their dogs.

After a successful dog-handling career in the USAF, Jacy decided he wanted to share his 20+ years of canine expertise with the public. His ultimate goal is to provide assistance to people and ensure that as many dogs as possible learn good behaviors through positive reinforcement. His specialty is working one-on-one with dogs who have behavior issues such as reactivity, destructive conduct, pulling on the leash, etc. Jacy has attended many training classes and seminars by the industry's top trainers and continues to pursue educational opportunities. Jacy is currently working towards becoming a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Jacy conducts the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation, Canine Nose Work classes, a Pet Tech Pet First Aid and CPR Class, and Saturday basic obedience courses for dogs of all ages here at APCC.

Lynne first tried clicker training with her disabled puppy, and enjoyed it so much that she decided she wanted to help others learn this fun and effective method of training. After several years of teaching both group and private lessons, she became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She also studied at Kutztown University where she earned certificates in both Canine Training & Management and Canine Behavior. Lynne is now an adjunct faculty member for that Canine Training & Management program. To maintain and expand her knowledge and skills, she regularly attends seminars and workshops by canine behavior experts. She is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. As a long-time volunteer with cocker rescue, Lynne has provided behavior and training assistance to increase the likelihood of successful adoptions. She is also a trainer, all-around volunteer, and founding Board member of Hero Dogs, a local non-profit that trains and places service dogs with military veterans wounded while on active duty in the US Armed Forces. In addition to training dogs, Lynne has taught American Red Cross pet first aid classes for more than 10 years. She's also a freelance writer. She writes as the DC Dogs Examiner for Examiner.com and has written articles published by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, as well as All Animals and Baltimore Dog magazines. Lynne lives with her husband and six rescued cocker spaniels. When she's not teaching or writing, she enjoys the sports of tracking, rally, and agility with her dogs.

Danny has a natural talent to read dogs and is very sensitive to their energy. He has a multitude of patience and has been known to slowly become bonded with all of the shy standoffish rescue dogs that he encounters. After a few hours with Danny, a timid who "does not like men" will be in Danny's lap soaking up the love he gives them. He has been working hands on at APC Center since 2008 and has developed skills to approach and redirect fearful dogs. He can offer his talents to help a misunderstood dog become a well mannered more confident dog. Danny is currently working on earning his Pet Dog Trainer Certification through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. He has studied and read nearly every book on the market about dog training and behavior and has done lots of work with foster dogs, and has volunteered his time to friend's dogs and has been rehabilitating a leash aggressive dog. He his patience extends to offering his free time to train dogs leash manners with hours of work. Danny conducts private sessions one on one with dogs in need here at APCC.

"Danny spent four days with Dodger and did a fabulous job working with him..."[Read More]

Nadja, a former Dog Supervisor and Staff Manager at APC center graduated from Tarheel Canine Inc. Dog Training school in May 2007 where she studied and practiced dog training in every possible form. She received her Master Certification in Obedience. She is a Certified Police Canine Trainer and Instructor.

She fully trained dogs from start to finish in obedience, detection, search and rescue, practical agility, trailing for missing persons, evidence search, handler protection, criminal apprehension, tactical building and area search, felony vehicle stops, narcotics detection, explosives detection, and cadaver recovery. In addition, she has also had classroom instruction on selection testing for police dog candidates, tactical deployment, case law, record keeping, court testimony, building searches, narcotics and explosives detection, obedience and behavior modification. She learned and practiced decoy techniques.

She attended Graham NC, Police Department, NTPDA certification, and Baltimore MD, PSA Decoy camp (3/21-3/22 2007). Nadja has worked with dogs in several capacities and therefore can offer much to help you with your canine problem child. She has had success in individual sessions with dogs at the center. Nadja lives in Fairfax with her two German Shepherds Jager and Panzer.