About

The Motivated K9

Hi! I’m Mercedes.

I own The Motivated K9 — where I work with a wide variety of dogs. 

My job is to understand  your dog   — and then to help you do the same, so we can work together on building a more harmonious relationship.

  My Background…

I was born and raised right here in Pierce County, Washington — where today, I’ve built my life around dogs.

I became a professional dog trainer in 2011, after earning my dog training certification through Animal Behavior College (ABC). But that was just the first step — I’m devoted to staying current on the most effective and humane training methods and on our evolving understanding of learning and behavior.

The better my understanding of the science behind why and how behavior and learning works, the more effectively I can help you and your dog.

So in 2015 I pursued my CPDT-KA — that stands for Certified Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed. A CPDT-KA certification requires trainers to have over 300 hours of training experience, recommendations from other industry professionals, and to pass a written exam. The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) also requires trainers to pledge to follow their code of ethics.

Two years later, in 2017, I went back again to test for CCPDT’s advanced certification and earned my CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant – Knowledge Assessed) certification. This requires experience and knowledge specifically in canine behavior consulting (fear, anxiety, and aggression).

In 2021 I took the brand new L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course to further my understanding of Behavior and expand my tool box to better help dogs and their humans. 

In 2024 I completed the Dynamic Dog Practitioner course.   This course gives an in depth education on posture, gait and biomechanics of dogs. 

Taking the ENTIRE dog into consideration is something that I am deeply passionate about. Looking at behavior wholisticly should be the standard. Collaborating with colleagues and  other professionals is important to me as it often takes village to help dogs with behavior problems. 

I continue to pursue advanced training opportunities, and my certifications require that I earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) from approved experts each year.

I haven’t always been a trainer that was focused on positive reinforcement (I’m what dog people call a ‘cross over trainer’) but today I believe in and am dedicated to following methods that are founded on the idea that dogs are doing the best they can, in their current environment,  with the information we give them. My goal is to teach both you and your dog the skills you need to cooperate more effectively in the modern world.

My methods will always take how your dog and you feel about our training heavily into consideration, and I try to make the experience as positive as possible for everyone.

That’s why I follow the guidelines outlined by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), including LIMA: Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive and the Humane Hierarchy of Behavioral Change.

But this isn’t just my profession — training dogs is also my hobby. I have dabbled and competed in many dog sports. Such as  Schutzhund (IGP), Scent work, Agility, Rally,  and Competitive Obedience. I currently share my home with an American Pit Bull Terrier and a German Shepherd.  

Interested in training together? Click here to get in touch.