Your Pro Dog Trainer

05/12/2025

Meet Paco! I had the pleasure of working with Paco yesterday and he is searching for an adopter! Paco is available through so please contact them for more info! He is neutered, vaccinated, and approx 1-2 years old. Good in the car, in a crate, and with other dogs of all sizes. Paco graduated from the Paws to Prison Training Program and has some basic obedience under his belt. Loves to play and seems good with kids. Share with anyone interested in a nice family dog in central California!

04/08/2025

Exciting!

TIME's new cover: The dire wolf is back after over 10,000 years. Here's what that means for other extinct species https://ti.me/3YfRmBh

03/20/2025

Yes!

A lot of dogs want you to know this -

Instead of a fancy collar and bed? They’d rather have a fenced in yard - even if it has to be small and home made - so they can have off leash time to dog and dig.

Instead of daily neighborhood walks? They’d rather you drive to a dirt road and put them on a 30ft line and let them zig zag and smell as long as they like

Instead of twice daily meals in a bowl? They’d rather have food through enrichment activities that stimulates their brain and their nose.

Instead of basic obedience training? They’d rather have purpose driven training that feeds their genetic make up and needs AND helps them survive and thrive in todays world.

Instead of a human wanting something from them? They’d love a human wanting to understand them better.

Instead of focusing on perfect “heels” and “stays”? They’d love to learn how to be resilient and less stressed and cope with the outside world and our expectations.

Instead of harsh punishments and corrections? They’d prefer proactive management and rewards for good decisions.

We can’t change everything about the lives our dogs are forced to live with us in, but we can make these kinds of changes and see a huge improvement in their quality of life and wellbeing.

-Helen St. Pierre

03/11/2025

Go Tor!

A California district attorney shares the importance of a new electronic detection K-9 who will help combat online predators and aid in cybercrimes.

02/19/2025

Welcome!

DISTRICT ATTORNEY INTRODUCES OFFICE'S FIRST ELECTRONIC DETECTION K9

District Attorney Tim Ward is pleased to introduce Tor, TCDA’s first electronic detection K9. Tor was welcomed at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting in .

Tor, a two-year-old black Labrador retriever, is an inaugural graduate of the United States Secret Service (USSS) National Computer Forensic Institute (NCFI) program for electronic detection K9’s. The TCDA Bureau of Investigations was one of only 12 agencies nationwide selected by the NCFI to participate in its inaugural class. As part of this selection, Tor’s placement and training is funded by the USSS.

“The inclusion of Tor and his skillset continues our focus on the prosecution of digital evidence, white-collar crime, and crimes against children” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “We are honored to have him in our ranks and look forward to his role in the justice process.”

Trained by Jordan Detection K9’s, Tor can detect the odor of the chemical component Triphenylphosphine Oxide (TPPO) which is used in the manufacturing of electronics to prevent overheating. Tor is trained to locate hidden electronics such as smart phones, hard drives, thumb drives, cameras, and micro-SD cards. He will most often be used in the ex*****on of search warrants for a less intrusive and more targeted search of electronics.

TCDA Criminal Investigator Anthony Benitez, one of California’s foremost experts on law enforcement digital forensics, spent weeks working with Tor in Hoover, Alabama, before his introduction to his new TCDA colleagues.

“It was a privilege to be selected to attend the first ever NCFI EDD training course. Participating in the EDD training isn't just about enhancing our office's capabilities; it's about ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” said Investigator Benitez. “The knowledge and skills gained, working with Tor, will be invaluable in our mission to protect and serve.”

Handlers were encouraged to name their dogs with a focus on technology. Tor stands for “The Onion Router,” a web browser used to access the dark web.

Tor’s mission and specialized training differ significantly from that of Fortune, Tulare County’s first courthouse K9, who passed away in November 2024. The TCDA Victim Services Division is currently working to onboard a successor courthouse dog to serve victims of crime and children.

02/11/2025

Share!

01/17/2025

🚨 Urgent Call for Fosters! 🚨

The LA fires have displaced many animals, overwhelming shelters that were already full. We’re stepping up to help, but we need YOU! ❤️

We’re seeking compassionate fosters to temporarily house animals from the LA area who need a safe place.

With the help of the Best Friends Animal Society, we’ll be providing food and supplies for the fosters housing the animals while in search of rescues and/or adopters.

📩 Apply now!

✅ Must be 18+ to sign up
✅ Sign up by Friday, 1/17 at 6 PM
✅ Help us make room for those in need!

To become a foster, please fill out the application and email it to [email protected]. The application is linked in our bio. For questions or concerns, please call (559) 713-4700.

Together, we can give these animals a second chance. Even if you can’t help with LA animals, we have local pets who would also love a foster home! ❤️ Visalia Animal Services

01/06/2025

Yes!

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre

01/05/2025

The end of an era and a legend today. RIP Karen Pryor 😞 your legacy most definitely does not die with you and your contributions to the animal training world are changing the lives of animals every single day. I picked up this book just over 20 years ago to train a cheetah cub, and since then I am so grateful to have seen you speak on several occasions and learned from the best!

01/02/2025

10/10 recommend