Meet The Trainers
Mackenzie
I have been training since 2016, and I currently own five dogs of my own- Draco, Envy, Valkyrie, Wolf, and Coven (all German Shepherds!). I started training after struggling with some serious behavioral issues in my first dog, Ellie. As I worked hard to tackle her explosive reactivity issues and lack of manners, I started noticing a huge difference in our relationship. Training together helped us achieve the obedience that I was looking for, but it also unlocked a lasting, meaningful bond between my dog and I that I believe every dog owner deserves to experience.
When I'm not working with other people and their dogs, I am spending time training, hiking, or just hanging out with mine! I train and compete with all of my dogs in Schutzhund (IGP)- a working dog sport focused on tracking, obedience, and protection work. While IGP is our main focus together, we also have fun dabbling in AKC Obedience and Rally on occasion as well! In his time competing, Draco earned 7 IGP3 titles and competed at the national level- he also has an FH1 tracking title, his AKC CD and RA titles, and a CGC. Envy has an IGP3, AKC BN, and CGC, and Valkyrie has an IGP1. Wolf currently has an IGP1 and is training to pursue higher level goals, and Coven is enjoying foundational IGP training right now!
My goal has always been to help people learn to communicate with their dogs in a way that allows them to enjoy life together again, and it is so rewarding to see a dog's progress in training result in new freedoms and opportunities that they wouldn't have been able to experience before. While I (of course) love dogs, my favorite part of training is empowering owners, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love every day!
- Mackenzie Goshorn | Owner/Trainer
Ankeny, IA
Kenzie is taking private lessons & board and train clients for puppy foundation, basic obedience, off leash training, and behavior modification in the Des Moines, IA area!
Shanna
Shanna
I’ve been working with dogs since 2010, and actively training dogs since 2015. I have five dogs: a 12 year-old Yorkshire Terrier (Baloo); a 10 year-old Belgian Malinois (Banner), a 7 year-old Golden Retriever (Bash), a 3 year-old German Shepherd (Feyre), and a 6 month-old German Shepherd (Simba).
I originally started competing in dog sports because of my Belgian Malinois, Banner. He is the dog who introduced me into the world of dog training and dog sports! With all three of my dogs, I have competed in AKC Obedience and Rally events, dock diving, barn hunts, FastCATs, CATs, conformation shows, frisbee leagues, and most recently: IGP trials. Banner and I also attended the 2018 Rally Nationals (Excellent level) and obtained 11th place out of 80 total competitors. Currently, Banner has the most achievements of all my dogs with all three Canine Good Citizen titles, AKC CD and RAE titles, and a Coursing Ability title. We are also active in our IGP club and he earned his BH in the fall of 2020. Bash also has all three Canine Good Citizen titles, a CD, an RN, and an IGP BH. He also dabbled in AKC conformation, and loves showing everyone how handsome he is! Feyre recently earned her IGP BH, and we are working now towards higher level IGP titles together while Simba learns all about foundational IGP skills.
My absolute favorite part of dog training is teaching owners to communicate with their dogs, and watching them learn to ENJOY their dogs and enjoy training with them.
- Shanna Simpkins | Trainer
Ankeny, IA
Shanna is taking private lessons and board and train clients for puppy foundation, basic obedience, off leash training, and behavior modification in the Des Moines, IA area!
Cynthia
I have been working with dogs for almost 8 years now, and my current passion for dog training was actually brought on by my very active involvement in rescue organizations- I have been fostering rescue dogs for years, which is how I originally met my first German Shepherd, Hera! I began fostering Hera in 2017 and quickly realized that she was meant to be mine. I officially adopted her shortly after, and from then began actively training with her in order to tackle some residual behavioral problems she had developed throughout her time in rescue Training with Hera opened up so many doors for me, and truly helped me fall in love with the process of developing a healthy relationship with our dogs. I credit her for being my introduction to obedience training, behavior modification, and the world of dog sports! I now own three other German Shepherds as well: Hondo (a 6 year-old West German show line male), Letty (a 4 year-old working line female), and Cato (a 2 year-old working line male).
Since adopting Hera, she and I have competed in several different venues together, and I have had so much fun learning about the world of dog sports with her by my side! At 10 years old, she now has her AKC CD, PDC, and RA titles, as well as all three levels of Canine Good Citizen certification and a TKI title. Hondo currently also has all three Canine Good Citizen titles, as well as his TKN. Letty recently earned her IGP BH title, and she is continuing her training in both IGP and AKC venues. Cato is the baby of the family and currently working on foundational IGP training!
I love being able to give back to rescue organizations, where I got my start in the dog world, by now providing training-related assistance in hopes of helping good dogs find great forever homes. I am so excited to continue down the road that I'm so passionate about by helping pet owners learn to work with their dogs in a way that will grow their relationship and allow them to experience a cohesive and fulfilling life together!
- Cynthia Olson | Trainer
Ankeny, IA
Cynthia is taking private lessons and board and train clients for puppy foundation, basic obedience, and off leash training in the Des Moines, IA area!