Hi! I’m Yasmin Baylor, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CSAT. I am a Certified Training Partner and graduate of the internationally-esteemed Karen Pryor Academy, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer from Malena DeMartini‘s renowned CSAT program.
After earning my Bachelors in Computer Science and Graphic Design, and working for years in the business world, I knew it was time to switch gears and commit my time to doing what I really love.
I serve as a board member at large and a training consultant for Paws Humane Society. Years of experience have helped me to develop a style that is calm, confident, and patient. Teaching a family to better understand their dog, and watching as they build fulfilling relationships together is such a rewarding experience. Being part of that journey is the highlight of my career.
When dog training is a passion, extracurriculars come naturally. I especially enjoy taking monthly continuing education courses with the brilliant trainers at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, and I relish the opportunity to learn something new every day from science-based training books, articles and podcasts.
My home is full of joy and adventure, thanks to my bright little daughter Claire, my playful Stabyhoun Fenna, Pangea and Zelda, my lovably grumpy cats, and Josh, my kind and supportive husband. I’m honored to be one of the only certified trainers offering in home dog training in the Rockford, IL area!
Hi, I’m Carmen Rea-Kodatt, VSA-CDT, graduate of the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy. I’ve always been an avid animal lover and knew I wanted a career involving animals early on. I received my bachelors in Biology from Edgewood College. I enjoy furthering my knowledge and staying current with the latest science-based training, and have a special interest in shelter dog behavior.
I’ve worked in the animal rescue field for the last 7 years, starting as a kennel technician and working my way up to head the behavior team.
The shelter and rescue world is where I gained much of my experience training dogs. I’ve helped many rescue dogs both in their homes and at the shelter. This training has ranged from basic obedience cues to behaviors such as fear, anxiety and aggression. I’ve fostered many dogs with these types of behaviors to help train and prepare them for their forever homes. I continue to volunteer on a weekly basis and foster for local animal shelters.
Currently, my wife and I have quite the little zoo. We have 4 dogs, 2 cats, 5 guinea pigs, 2 rats and 2 rabbits. Our first dog, Homer, is a foster-fail. We started fostering him to work on his severe anxiety and ultimately fell in love with him as we watched his personality grow. I’m excited to get to know you and your pups, and work together to develop your relationship.
Hello, I’m Brooke Baran! I am a professional dog trainer, skilled in Service Dog training. My background is in a variety of dog obedience and behavior challenges. During college, I studied topics specific to the world of Service Dogs including Therapy Dogs, Mobility Assistance Service Dogs, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Service Dogs. As a teaching assistant at West Virginia University, I studied under two animal behaviorists and learned how to train dogs using the latest science-based methods and positive reinforcement-based techniques.
After moving to Illinois, I continued training by setting up my own in-home training service, Paw-sitive Pup Tutoring. I traveled to clients’ homes and worked with a variety of obedience and behavioral issues.I then moved to Freeport and opened a specialty canine center. However due to Covid-19, I unfortunately needed to close the doors. While my building had to close, my passion for dog training did not.
My husband Engin and I have a spunky and bright daughter, Ceyda.
The three of us share a home with my task-trained Siberian Husky Kida and 2 cats; Prince Leo and Phish. When I am not training or spending time with my family I love to dive into an art craft or read up on the latest research in dog training and behavior. I will be heading up the Puppy Board & Train program for the team at Canine in Focus. I can’t wait to teach your baby puppies all of the essential foundational skills they need in order to be a valued member of the household for years to come!
Hello, I’m Brooke Baran! I am a professional dog trainer, skilled in Service Dog training. My background is in a variety of dog obedience and behavior challenges. During college, I studied topics specific to the world of Service Dogs including Therapy Dogs, Mobility Assistance Service Dogs, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Service Dogs. As a teaching assistant at West Virginia University, I studied under two animal behaviorists and learned how to train dogs using the latest science-based methods and positive reinforcement-based techniques.
After moving to Illinois, I continued training by setting up my own in-home training service, Paw-sitive Pup Tutoring. I traveled to clients’ homes and worked with a variety of obedience and behavioral issues.I then moved to Freeport and opened a specialty canine center. However due to Covid-19, I unfortunately needed to close the doors. While my building had to close, my passion for dog training did not.
My husband Engin and I have a spunky and bright daughter, Ceyda. The three of us share a home with my task-trained Siberian Husky Kida and 2 cats; Prince Leo and Phish. When I am not training or spending time with my family I love to dive into an art craft or read up on the latest research in dog training and behavior. I will be heading up the Puppy Board & Train program for the team at Canine in Focus. I can’t wait to teach your baby puppies all of the essential foundational skills they need in order to be a valued member of the household for years to come!
Emilee is our Office Manager and longtime dog lover. One of her biggest passions is training, hiking and spending time with her Wheaten Terrier, Finnigan. Emilee loves fostering puppies from local animal rescue, PAWS Humane Society and giving them a great training foundation for their forever families.
Emilee has lived in Rockford for the last five years, and shares her home with her husband, Zach, and their pup.
