Meet Our Team
Discover More About our Trainers:​
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Joyann McNee: Joyann ('joy-anne') melds outdoor adventures with family dog training and reactivity rehabilitation. Her approach ensures dogs thrive in diverse settings (think food carts, hikes, having guests over) regardless of prior bad experiences. Joyann is very caring and gives every dog her all. She is a compassionate person with a deep desire to help anxious dogs live their best lives.​
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Kali Kiger: Kali ('kaylee') loves to connect with a dog's spirit and play to their natural instincts. Kali helps build communication between the dog and the humans, working on body language and engagement. Kali helps dogs build basic skills to promote adaptability in different settings. Over time, Kali's goal is to train dogs that can accompany anyone, anywhere, from joyful bike rides to quiet restaurant outings.
Together, this duo is dedicated to not just training dogs, but nurturing family bonds.
Joyann McNee, Trainer
In the forested mountains of rural Washington, Joyann McNee's passion for nature and animals bloomed. Here, she developed an amazing bond with her horse as a young girl. Joyann’s adventurous spirit likewise felt at home with dogs, joining in their awe as they explore. She loves adventuring with her dog, Denny, an Aussie/German Shepherd. From gorgeous hikes to tranquil lakes, to biking through the Canyon in Redmond to visit the food trucks, Denny and Joyann do it all together. From 2017 to 2022, Joyann put her expertise with animals and joy of creating special moments to professional use through training horses and mentoring young riders. When the riding school closed in 2022, Joyann then channeled her innate understanding of animals into dog training. Joyann’s methods prioritize understanding and positive reinforcement in early training and also balanced training for finishing behaviors. Joyann emphasizes promoting a dog's natural characteristics while alleviating challenging anxiety-induced behaviors. Joyann is more than just a trainer; she's a friend and mentor for pet owners in Central Oregon. With Joyann, dogs and families find the guidance they need to build a relationship that harmonizes with nature's rhythm and the fun summer beats of life in Bend or Redmond.
Kali Kiger, Trainer
Dogs have been an integral part of my family's heritage for generations. My experience with dogs began under the watchful eyes of my mother, who learned to train from her dad. He was an experienced handler of hunting dogs, and my mother expanded that expertise into an understanding of canine care and loyalty. In our home, there was a principle we held dear: "Problems start when people cease to be polite." This was more than a saying; it was a value system that defined our interactions with both our human family members and our canine companions. It shaped our belief that both courtesy and kindness should be at the core of all our relationships, especially those with our most beloved. I grew up hearing stories about my mother's bond with her dogs, particularly her favorite hunting dog, Duke. Duke's connection with my mom went beyond mere companionship. His intuitive actions, from rescuing a baby chipmunk to alerting the town to a dam break, reflect a relationship rooted in trust, understanding, and love. It's this depth of connection that inspired my mother to treat animals with such reverence, a legacy she lovingly passed on to me. My professional life began in the equine world, where I spent nearly two decades training horses using a successful blend of clicker training and natural horsemanship. From 2022-2024 my family spent 2 years in Europe with our dog, Brûlée. Brûlée got accustomed to riding planes, trains, boats, scooters, and bikes. Upon returning home in Spring 2024, I felt a calling to transition my skills to the world of dogs. In the same way I work to expose Mustangs that have been brought in from the wild to lots of new things that ultimately make them a safe and solid riding horse, I gradually expand the dog's world and comfort zone so they are a sociable, reliable family member. I love all species and have a special knack for reading body language, which has been a valuable asset in training. I'm really grateful for the impact that learning to clicker train has had on my life and how it has changed my relationships. I'm also really grateful for all the opportunities that I have had to help animals work through their fears using approach and retreat training. So much of the way that I do life and think about the world has been influenced by the work I have done with animals and it has made me a better human - more forgiving and accepting, yet better at setting boundaries. Also more grounded and more playful, and ultimately, a fuller version of myself.  I look forward to working with you and your dog as you create a relationship that fills both of your buckets..​​
Meet Kali Kiger's World-Traveling Doggy, Brûlée
From 2022 to 2024, my family embarked on a journey to The Netherlands, accompanied by our 4-year-old Pomsky, Brûlée. From hopping on trains and planes and boats to zipping through streets on bikes and electric scooters, Brûlée was right there with us. She ran alongside my bike on school runs, and when she needed a break, she'd nestle into the bike basket. Our K9 Sport Sack was our ticket to introducing her to local stores, and soon enough, Brûlée became a favorite guest at nearby coffee shops, even striking a pose for a few Instagram snaps. Navigating through this European adventure was a testament to the bond we shared and the training we had invested in. Brûlée gracefully adapted to different environments, from the bustling streets of Paris and Barcelona to the cozy confines of our apartment on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Brûlée became not just our companion but an ambassador of our family's spirit, greeted warmly by locals whether in businesses, parks, or playful encounters on the streets. Shifting from a spacious farm house in the PNW to a compact EU apartment, adapting to varying diets, and traveling by every method imaginable, Brûlée showcased the resilience and adaptability of a well-trained pet. Her adventures and our shared experiences have deepened my conviction in the importance of training and bonding. It's not just about cues; it's about forging a connection that allows both human and canine to thrive in any situation so that you can create a lifetime of wonderful memories together.