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Meet Colleen
A deep passion for dogs and their humans
Hi! I'm Colleen, a dedicated and versatile dog trainer with a deep passion for helping dogs and their humans build strong, harmonious relationships. As a military wife, a mom, and a proud owner of Luna, my service dog, I understand firsthand the challenges that come with a fearful and reactive dog. My journey into dog training began years ago while working at a rescue, where I was drawn to animals struggling with reactivity and aggression. This experience sparked a thirst for knowledge, and I immersed myself in learning everything I could about dog behavior, body language, and the psychology behind it all.
Dog training, to me, is not just about teaching commands; it's about understanding the unique needs of each dog and their human. I believe that dog training is fundamentally a people business—it's about coaching and guiding humans to better understand their dogs. My approach is rooted in the belief that the relationship between a dog and their human is the foundation of successful training. I’ve seen the transformative power of this approach with my own dog, Luna, who came to me from a bad breeder and lived in a constant state of fight or flight. Through patience, education, and dedication, I’ve helped Luna overcome her fears, and this process has deepened my love for training.
I am constantly learning and evolving, always striving to be a better trainer and person. My goal is to empower you and your dog to build the confidence you both deserve, whether on walks, hikes, or any adventure you embark on together. Training isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; it requires understanding your dog’s breed, history, and unique needs. With my experience and passion, I’m here to help you and your dog achieve a fulfilling, happy life together.
A Family-Run Business Rooted in Passion and Purpose
Teaching Life Skills, Responsibility, and the Value of Hard Work Through Dog Training
At Colorado K9 Instincts, we're not just training dogs; we're also nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and animal lovers. As a family-run business, I’m proud to have my daughter by my side, learning the ropes of both dog training and running a successful business. By involving her in the day-to-day operations, I’m teaching her invaluable life skills such as responsibility, financial management, and the rewards of hard work.
Paying her as an employee allows her to save for her future, instilling a sense of independence and financial literacy from a young age. This experience is more than just about saving money—it's about empowering her to understand the value of dedication, compassion, and the importance of following her passions. Together, we're building something special, creating a legacy that not only strengthens our bond but also equips her with the tools she’ll need for whatever path she chooses in life.
Book a virtual consultation now, or contact us if you'd like an in-person appointment:
Luna's Story
Our inspiration and mascot
I bought Luna from a breeder in Peyton Colorado in May of 2023. I was looking for my future service dog. The genetics of Golden Retrievers have proven for them to make an excellent choice for service work. I spoke to a trainer who found this breeder and confirmed that this breeder has what she would look for if she was going to get a dog. I then reached out to the breeder and told her what I was looking for. A confident dog who will be my future Cardiac Service Alert Dog.
The breeder said she has two 16 week older Golden Puppies left, and Luna was the most confident and adventurous of the two.I went to meet Luna and I was told she has been in cars, around kids, is doing great potty training, all wonderful things. Luna was nervous when I got there, I assumed it was nerves because I am new. The breeder confirmed my thoughts. I got Luna home and she was very scared. I had the trainer come over that day and she agreed and said it was nerves and she would warm up.
I started training Luna the day I brought her home. From confidence work, potty training and more. As time went, on those nerves of Lunas never improved. She only got worse. I tried to reach out to the breeder and my messages via text would not go through. The website at one point disappeared. I also talked to my trainer about hiring a behaviorist and she advised against it and said we have tried everything they would have tried.
I reached out to the breeder when I found their new site under a new name. I was informed that the reason behind this change of website and names was because her name was too close to other breeders. I was then ultimately told that I made the choice to have Luna, which she is correct, I did. However, as a breeder, she advised me - she knows her dogs best.
Let's talk about Luna-tunes' struggles: She is reactive - if a person approaches her she will bark and back up. Kids are her biggest struggle. She hates cars and it took me a month just to train her around a car. Anything the breeder told me that they exposed their puppies to, my sweet girl is scared. This is something a breeder should recognize right away. However, backyard breeders do not care.
Through all of this, I started researching and diving into dog behavior. I learned most of the methods I had applied previously were wrong and kept putting her into fight or flight. I started applying methods and techniques that I learned from multiple dog behaviorists. After just a month of her and I working together, she made significant improvement. We work through this daily. I then just noticed a pattern of dogs I have seen and worked around have some sort of behavior issue and I wanted to learn more. So I started learning all types of behavior issues and how to work through them.
I was told after I reached out to the breeder that I could return her. But even after a few months with her I never would have returned her, I know something happened to her when she was a puppy, or the dogs are bred improperly. I was told there are things Luna would just not be able to do, and that could be true, but that is quitting on my girl. She is scared we will work through everything we can. She has come so far. I love my girl. My heart goes out to her. This has pushed me and motivated me to help others who are struggling. I learned if we as dog owners are struggling, your dog is struggling a whole lot more.