About Kaye Geyler
email: info@goroguedogtraining.com
co-owner, Go Rogue Dog Training

I have been drawn to animals my whole life. I started off my animal career by being the “tamer” of the small animals that would become part of my mother’s classroom.  My formal education started at Oregon State University; where I graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science, Major in Animal Science, Minor in Equine Science. It was here that my interest in behavior and training was sparked.  Watching my classmates use “traditional” training methods with the horses and seeing the disconnection caused by those methods, I began to look for better ways to train. During my last year at OSU I was part of a team responsible for helping the mares foal and working with the new babies doing foal imprinting. After graduating, I worked as the barn manager at a local horse facility.

My journey continued when I applied to and was accepted into the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark, California a few years after graduating from OSU. During my two years in the program I trained and cared for a variety of exotic species including spider monkeys, a hyena and a turkey vulture.  I had to work with most of the animals using limited or no contact; this was my introduction to force free methods of training and using a clicker. My time in the EATM program was absolutely amazing!  Not only did I get to bond with the wonderful animals, I was able to work at local zoos, do educational shows and participate in projects at facilities like the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species at the San Diego Zoo.

I graduated in 2001 with an Associate of Science in Exotic Animal Training, an Associate of Science in Zoo Keeping, an Associate of Science in Wildlife Education and an Associate of Arts (I call it my buy 3 get 1 free degree).  Unfortunately the effects of 9/11 on the animal industry made jobs hard to come by, so I worked a number of years in the Veterinary field after graduation, working in both a day clinic and an emergency hospital. Missing Oregon and a new opportunity called me back from California; in 2007 I started working at Dogs for the Deaf as an Assistant Trainer. I was offered a spot in the Apprentice Trainer Program in 2008 and gained the title of Certified Assistance Dog Trainer in 2011. As rewarding as it was to train Assistance Dogs, I came to realize that my journey needed to be on another path.  After leaving Dogs for the Deaf in March of 2013, I began the steps to starting my own business. I was doing business as Rapport Pet Training before coming together with Carrie to form Go Rogue Dog Training Center LLC in 2015. I am currently owned by two dogs (Tomahawk and Aardwolf) and seven cats (Jonny, Diva, Texas, Dexter, MeiMei, Terri Jo and Dobbie)
I have been lucky to attend lectures and workshops with some really amazing trainers! Brenda Woodhouse, Suzanne Clothier, Kay Laurence, Denise Fenzi, Jay Jack, Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Alexandra Kurland, Sophia Yin and Grisha Stewart are a few of the trainers I have been able to learn from.

About Carrie Brooks
email: info@goroguedogtraining.com
co-owner, Go Rogue Dog Training

Growing up I always wanted to be a veterinarian, it seemed the natural choice due to my love of animals and science. Even as a small child I wanted to help people and their dogs. I have many fond memories of not only interacting with and working with my own childhood dogs but others too. Surprising to many, when I started college I went down another path, studying one of my other passions the great outdoors. Although my interest, interactions and education with animals still continued. The beginning of my second year of college at the University of Montana, I adopted Sampson, a three month old German Shepherd mix puppy. This is when my curiosity and knowledge about canine behavior, training, nutrition and health really started to develop. I started reading any and all books that I could find on these topics. Sampson grew up to be an incredibly social and rock solid dog. I enjoyed just observing his interactions with people, dogs, other animals and the world around him. He was an amazing teacher. So much so, that later in our journey together we had the opportunity to work with John Rogerson. We decided to have Sampson be a helper dog while working with a couple dog reactive dogs. Rogerson commented on Sampson’s amazing skills, saying that Sampson is the kind of dog that should be on the payroll.

While attending school I worked as an Animal Caretaker and Adoption/Behavior Counselor at Missoula Humane Society (now Humane Society of Western Montana). I worked with an incredible group of people who always went above and beyond for all of the critters in our care. This further increased my knowledge, as well as my passion for working with animals. Also while finishing my college degree I worked as a professional dog walker and pet sitter for We Care Pet Care. Both of these positions gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of dogs and other animals.

I finished my Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh. Remember how I said I went down a different path academically, well my emphasis was on Environmental
Analysis and Management. Initially my plan was to go on to graduate schools to study natural hazards. Instead a couple days after graduation my now husband Chris, Sampson our two cats (Lenny and Pika) and myself moved to the Rogue Valley.

I was starting a new career less than a week after graduation. This is where I continued my education regarding dog behavior and training by being accepted into the Dogs for the Deaf Apprentice Trainer Program. It took almost two and a half years of education and hands on training to become a Certified Trainer. I had the opportunity to work with many different kinds of dogs, often with unknown backgrounds and train them to high level in order to be Assistance Dogs. Another aspect I adored was the opportunity to work with the recipients of the dogs I trained, most likely people who my path would have not otherwise crossed. It was an honor to bring them their AD, train them to work together and to get to know these amazing people. I greatly enjoyed being a part of bringing these teams together. Later I become the Apprentice Program Instructor (training the new apprentices) and Kennel Supervisor while still training Assistance Dogs. I trained at Dogs for the Deaf for nearly ten years before leaving to start Go Rogue Dog Training Center with Kaye.

I find it very important to always be continuing my knowledge and education about dogs, animal behavior, nutrition/health, canine development and training. I had the opportunity to work in a small group setting for multiple days with both John Rogerson and Turid Rugaas. I have participated and attended many seminars and conferences over the years to continue my education and knowledge, including: several Association of Professional Dog Trainers Annual Conferences, Clicker Expo and Masters of Behavior. I have learned from many other amazing people including: Dr. Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Clothier, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Kay Laurence, Grisha Stewart, Denise Fenzi, Dr Nickolas Dodman, Nicole Wilde, Debbie Martin, Pia Silvani, Dr. Sophia Yin, Kathy Sdao, Karen Pyror, Jean Donaldson, Dr. Roger Abrantes

I share my life with my amazing husband, Chris and our two wonderful dogs, Bella (Labrador Retriever) and Packer (German Shepherd). In my spare time I enjoy many outdoor activities with my family, taking part in my other passion the natural world.