Angie Scharpf
Owner/Lead Trainer
Pack Leaders Dog Training was established in 2009 after I underwent extensive training and research in dog behavior and psychology. As Owner and Lead Trainer, I am excited to have helped over a thousand dogs and their owners since beginning my career in the dog training industry.
I've been involved with dogs professionally since learning how to groom dogs in 2000. I was taught the proper way to handle dogs while clipping nails and grooming; skills that I teach today in puppy classes. I've had the opportunity to work at local veterinary clinics. Since I didn't have any experience in the vet field starting out, I began by cleaning kennels twice a day. Cleaning kennels may not be the most glamorous job, but it allowed me to interact with many different breeds and temperaments of dogs. I'm thankful for that learning experience! Soon after, I moved my way up to working with some of the most respected and knowledgeable veterinarians in the area. As a Veterinary Assistant at the Blue Pearl Pet Hospital (known as the Eastern Iowa Specialty Center when I worked there), I received priceless training in the field of pet medicine. Having a medical background has been found extremely useful in diagnosing whether a behavioral problem is just that, or a a shift in behavior due to pain or illness.
Dog behavior became a strong interest to me in 2002 when I started researching different training methods. In 2003, I began training one of my own dogs under the direction of world renowned trainer, Robin MacFarlane. She was kind enough to allow me to visit her training facility regularly to learn about the world of dog training and observe her methods. After about 7 more years of educating myself and graduating from the That's My Dog E-Cademy, I started Pack Leaders Dog Training. Since starting the business in 2009, the business has grown to over a thousand people and dogs trained. 75% of my business comes from referrals, past and current students, and local veterinary clinics. I feel blessed every day to be doing what I love and helping people achieve their dog training goals.
Continuing education is very important to me. Every year I invest time and money in attending workshops held by trainers who are experts in their field. These fields include; aggression, anxiety, behavioral modification, nose work/scent detection, trained retrieve, and more.
All of these wonderful experiences have helped me, in one way or another, to become successful in the industry of dog training. Pack Leaders Dog Training offers quality, one-of-a-kind service to you and your dog. You can trust that I have the best interest of you and your dog in mind with every visit.
I can't wait to meet you!
Angie Scharpf
Owner/Lead Trainer
Owner/Lead Trainer
Pack Leaders Dog Training was established in 2009 after I underwent extensive training and research in dog behavior and psychology. As Owner and Lead Trainer, I am excited to have helped over a thousand dogs and their owners since beginning my career in the dog training industry.
I've been involved with dogs professionally since learning how to groom dogs in 2000. I was taught the proper way to handle dogs while clipping nails and grooming; skills that I teach today in puppy classes. I've had the opportunity to work at local veterinary clinics. Since I didn't have any experience in the vet field starting out, I began by cleaning kennels twice a day. Cleaning kennels may not be the most glamorous job, but it allowed me to interact with many different breeds and temperaments of dogs. I'm thankful for that learning experience! Soon after, I moved my way up to working with some of the most respected and knowledgeable veterinarians in the area. As a Veterinary Assistant at the Blue Pearl Pet Hospital (known as the Eastern Iowa Specialty Center when I worked there), I received priceless training in the field of pet medicine. Having a medical background has been found extremely useful in diagnosing whether a behavioral problem is just that, or a a shift in behavior due to pain or illness.
Dog behavior became a strong interest to me in 2002 when I started researching different training methods. In 2003, I began training one of my own dogs under the direction of world renowned trainer, Robin MacFarlane. She was kind enough to allow me to visit her training facility regularly to learn about the world of dog training and observe her methods. After about 7 more years of educating myself and graduating from the That's My Dog E-Cademy, I started Pack Leaders Dog Training. Since starting the business in 2009, the business has grown to over a thousand people and dogs trained. 75% of my business comes from referrals, past and current students, and local veterinary clinics. I feel blessed every day to be doing what I love and helping people achieve their dog training goals.
Continuing education is very important to me. Every year I invest time and money in attending workshops held by trainers who are experts in their field. These fields include; aggression, anxiety, behavioral modification, nose work/scent detection, trained retrieve, and more.
All of these wonderful experiences have helped me, in one way or another, to become successful in the industry of dog training. Pack Leaders Dog Training offers quality, one-of-a-kind service to you and your dog. You can trust that I have the best interest of you and your dog in mind with every visit.
I can't wait to meet you!
Angie Scharpf
Owner/Lead Trainer
Cathy Buenzow
Trainer
After nearly 3 decades sitting at a desk in the corporate world I finally have the opportunity to follow my true passion. In 2013 my husband and I had 2 unruly teenage pups. I had taken them to many group obedience classes to the point where I could teach the class myself. They did fantastic but it didn't seem like it "stuck". So we found ourselves searching for an experienced dog trainer who would do one on one training. We were lucky enough to find Angie. She did an amazing job with our boys. But what was truly impressive was how the training "stuck" with them (and me) We worked with Angie on multiple occasions over the next 4 years for advanced training with our dogs. I gained a lot of knowledge from these experiences as well as months of job shadowing and mentoring. I began volunteering for a local shelter in late 2014 where I evaluate dog behavior, provide training, care for sick and injured dogs and rehabilitate dogs to get them ready for their forever home. I have placed over 70 dogs in their forever homes and cared for hundreds of dogs who have come through the adoption center before heading to a foster or forever home. These experiences have been invaluable.
At the beginning of 2017 I officially began working for Pack Leaders as a trainer. I am excited to help you and your dog achieve all of your training goals.
Trainer
After nearly 3 decades sitting at a desk in the corporate world I finally have the opportunity to follow my true passion. In 2013 my husband and I had 2 unruly teenage pups. I had taken them to many group obedience classes to the point where I could teach the class myself. They did fantastic but it didn't seem like it "stuck". So we found ourselves searching for an experienced dog trainer who would do one on one training. We were lucky enough to find Angie. She did an amazing job with our boys. But what was truly impressive was how the training "stuck" with them (and me) We worked with Angie on multiple occasions over the next 4 years for advanced training with our dogs. I gained a lot of knowledge from these experiences as well as months of job shadowing and mentoring. I began volunteering for a local shelter in late 2014 where I evaluate dog behavior, provide training, care for sick and injured dogs and rehabilitate dogs to get them ready for their forever home. I have placed over 70 dogs in their forever homes and cared for hundreds of dogs who have come through the adoption center before heading to a foster or forever home. These experiences have been invaluable.
At the beginning of 2017 I officially began working for Pack Leaders as a trainer. I am excited to help you and your dog achieve all of your training goals.