Red Vortex K9

Training For The Life You And Your Dog Share.

Helping dogs and their people understand each other, build confidence, and work together as a team, at home and wherever life takes them.

Whether you are raising a new puppy, living with a strong willed hound, or working through behaviour that makes everyday life stressful, I meet you and your dog where you are. Together we build skills that hold up in your home, in the car, on a busy street, at the beach, and out in the woods.

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Meet Crystal

For more than ten years, my life has revolved around dogs, through training, walking, pet sitting, fostering, rescue, puppy raising, breeding, and whelping. I raise and train Redbone Coonhounds for family life and hunting, raise Japanese Akita Inu, and source and develop working dog prospects, including detection and police K9.

I have worked with independent dogs, sensitive dogs, powerful dogs, and dogs whose instincts make everyday training complicated. My goal is simple. I want to help you and your dog communicate clearly and work as a team, at home, in the car, on a busy street, or out in the woods.

Those experiences have taught me to pay attention, question assumptions, and keep learning. Above all, I want to help you enjoy life with your dog, to understand each other, and to feel like you are truly working together.

Experience Supported By Education

My practical experience is supported by formal studies in canine behaviour, genetics, development, and care.

Breeding and Genetics Diploma (2020–2021), including Canine Genetics, Health Development and Life Stages of Dogs, Dog Origin and Early History, Breeding and Whelping, Puppy Imprinting and Bonding, and Puppy Behavior and Socialization

Canine Behavior Education Micro credential program (2023)

The Genetics of Behavior and Performance (2020)

Clinical Veterinary Genetics through Université de Montréal (2021)

Canine Aggression, A Veterinary Behaviorists Perspective with Dr. Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB (2024)

Canine Body Language with Michelle Mullins, CDBC, KPA CTP (2025)

Behavioral Genetics with Jessica Hekman, DVM, PhD (2025)

Accepted into Husson University’s Bachelor of Science in Animal Care and Behavior (2026)

Education is an ongoing commitment for me. I keep following research, studying breed history and genetics, exploring training approaches, and evaluating my own work. Every dog gives me something to learn from.

What Balanced Training Means Here

Balanced training does not mean that every dog needs a correction, an e collar, a prong collar, or any particular piece of equipment. I use treats far more often than training tools. Food, play, praise, access to things a dog enjoys, and chances to succeed are central to my work.

Many of the dogs I work with have strong hunting instincts, independent temperaments, and motivations that do not naturally centre on their handler. Working with these dogs has taught me that no single approach works equally well for every dog.

My starting point is understanding what the dog knows, what motivates them, what they can manage in that environment, and what we need to teach. Where I consider a tool or a correction, it needs a clear purpose, careful thought for the dog’s welfare, and an explanation you understand.

I keep watching how your dog responds and adjust as we go, so they stay clear, confident, and engaged in what we are asking. Many of the dogs I work with arrive fearful or unsure, and helping them build confidence is some of the work I am proudest of.

Helping The Person Holding The Leash

Your understanding matters just as much as your dog’s progress. I want you to know what we are working on, why we are doing it, and how to practice it in your own life. That might mean a calmer walk through town, an easier car ride, less stress for you when visitors arrive, or a dog who can relax while your family goes about its day. The goal is a partnership you keep building long after a session ends.

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