About Me
Hi, I’m Erika, the owner and trainer behind Top Choice Dog Training. My passion for dogs started at an early age- I was just 13 when I began dog sitting for neighbors and family friends. By the time I was old enough for my first “real” job in 2018, I went straight into working at a dog daycare and boarding facility. There, I gained invaluable experience in monitoring health and well-being, maintaining a safe and sanitary environment, and learning to read and understand dog body language. I quickly realized that working with dogs takes a special kind of awareness, and I loved developing the skills to keep them safe and happy.
That same year, I adopted my first dog of my own, a labradoodle named Brody. He turned out to be the spark for my training journey. Brody struggled with severe fear-based reactivity- barking at people in public, pulling hard on walks, and hiding from guests at home. Helping him wasn’t easy; it took years of research, trial and error, and working with multiple trainers before we finally started making real progress. Today, Brody can go anywhere with me- restaurants, stores, off-leash hikes- and he often joins my lessons to help other dogs with their training.
Because of that journey, I know firsthand how overwhelming and frustrating it can feel to struggle with a dog’s behavior. I wanted to help others avoid the same long, exhausting process I went through, so in 2022 I began formally studying to become a professional dog trainer. Since then, I’ve completed multiple courses, mentorships, and shadow programs, and I continue to further my education to stay up-to-date in an ever-changing field.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that dog training isn’t just about the dog- it’s about the owner too. Just like dogs, people learn in different ways. Some need to see me work with their dog first, others learn best hands-on, and many benefit from written instructions or structured schedules they can follow daily. My goal is not only to help dogs succeed, but to make sure their owners feel supported, confident, and motivated every step of the way.
Dog training is a lifelong journey, and I believe learning never stops- for both dogs and humans. I’m committed to continuing my education and staying on top of the best, most effective training methods, so that I can give every dog and owner I work with the tools they need to thrive together.