Get To Know Us

Free to Be Dog: Fear Free Certified Dog Training for Moore County, Wake County, and Wilmington Dog Owners

Meet Tiff

Moore County, NC

Tiff is currently pursuing an MSc in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare from Virginia Tech. Her rigorous academic background is complemented by her professional certifications, including her role as a Certified Training Counselor (CTC) and Fear Free Certified Training Professional.

Tiff's passion for canine behavior was ignited through her personal experience with her pup after moving from the US to Germany. After moving, her dog Arlo became fearful and reactive. This experience spurred her to delve deep into the field, not just to find solutions for her own canine companion but to help others navigate similar challenges.

Her ultimate goal for her clients is transformational: to elevate their understanding of their dogs' behaviors and body language. The skills and insights acquired under Tiff's guidance are not just temporary fixes; they are lifelong tools that owners can apply throughout their current and future relationships with canine companions.

Meet Makayla

Moore County and Wake County, NC

Makayla is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) with a specialized background in sheltering. Her experience with rescue organizations uniquely positions her as the go-to expert for owners integrating newly adopted dogs into their homes. However, Makayla's expertise is not limited to just one case type; she brings her compassionate and knowledgeable approach to training dogs with a variety of behavioral needs. Whether you've just welcomed a rescue into your life or are looking to address other training challenges, Makayla is committed to creating lasting, positive change for both you and your four-legged companion.

Meet Jim

Wilmington, NC

As an honors graduate of the CATCH Academy professional dog training program, Jim is highly qualified to help dog owners overcome a variety of behaviors and training hurdles. He has worked with dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, and temperaments, and with owners, fosters, adopters, shelters, and rescue organizations. He is passionate about educating owners on how dogs learn, think, and feel. Jim is a certified. professional dog trainer, certified fear free trainer, licensed Animal Control Officer, and holds an MSc in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare from Virginia Tech. His graduate research focused on improving training and behavior modification methods for owned and shelter dogs. Jim has also deployed to major dog fighting and abuse cases as field rescue responder for the Humane Society and the ASPCA.

Meet Amanda

Virtual Training, Worldwide

Amanda is a Certified Training Counselor (CTC) and Separation Anxiety Pro (SA Pro). Amanda offers her specialized expertise in Separation Anxiety training and behavior modification to a worldwide audience through virtual training. Skillfully navigating the challenges of online consultation, Amanda has successfully helped clients across the country overcome issues related to separation anxiety and complex behavioral concerns. No matter where you are located, Amanda's remote training options offer targeted, effective solutions for you and your four-legged family member.

Our Mission

At Free to Be Dog, our mission is to empower dog guardians and their canine companions to live happier, more harmonious lives together. As the only formally certified training company in all of Moore County, NC, we leverage science-backed, positive reinforcement training methods, and tailor our programs to address individual needs, from basic manners to complex behavioral challenges. We are committed to creating a safe, compassionate environment where both dogs and their guardians feel heard, understood, and equipped with the skills for lifelong success. Through local and virtual training programs, we aim to make high-quality canine education accessible to families worldwide.