WELCOME

We got our first dog when I was a freshman in high school—an all-black German Shepherd named Kai. She came from a puppy mill in Lancaster, PA (obviously we didn’t know any better back then). We didn’t train her, socialize her, or expose her to grooming early on—everything essential for setting a dog up for success, especially a working breed like a German Shepherd. And it sure did reflect on her behavior.

 

By the time she was a year old, Kai weighed over 100 pounds, barked and lunged at anything that moved, snapped at the vet and groomer, and sometimes even at us when she didn’t want to be moved or have her nails trimmed. Of course having guests over was a constant shuffle act.

 

God bless her soul, though—Kai was an incredible guard dog. She made our home feel safe—but she was definitely a liability. Not once did we even think about giving her up—she was family. 

 

Instead, we took it as a lesson—especially me. Shortly after getting her, I got my first job at a boarding facility/veterinary hospital. I worked there until I graduated high school, went off to college, and, after two years, realized my heart belonged with dogs. I left school, started dog walking and pet sitting, and felt completely lost—until fate stepped in.

 

By then Kai was 8 years old, her legs weakening from Degenerative Myelopathy, still defensive about being handled. Then, out of the blue, someone walked into my grandmother’s office and mentioned they were opening a dog training company and looking for employees. I applied. I was hired. My career began.

 

The hardest part? Kai passed away from DM two weeks before my first day. I never got to work with her. The best part? Everything I do now is in her honor.

 

After Kai came Dante, my European Doberman and my first true training partner. We didn’t make the same mistakes with him. As a puppy, Dante was incredibly stubborn—he’d bite my ankles and hold on, or sit and stare me dead in the eyes when he didn’t want to do something, like he was giving me a metaphorical middle finger. We’d go into work at 6AM just to train, even though we didn’t need to be there until 8—and some days we didn’t get home until 10PM. He taught me everything I know as a trainer: patience, resilience, dedication, and consistency.

 

I was determined to raise a dog that could go anywhere and be trusted completely—and that he was. By 7 months old, Dante was reliable off-leash in any environment. And then came the tricks: bouncing off people’s backs, limping on cue, doing handstands, and the most dramatic “play dead” you’ve ever seen.

 

On April 29th of this year, I received a call that every pet owner fears while they’re away. Dante had passed suddenly from DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)—the leading cause of death for Dobermans. He was only 5 years old. His life was short, but it was full—packed with adventure and purpose. From working crowds at the Philadelphia Convention Center to countless KOP mall trips and even traveling to Indianapolis at just 5 months old, Dante lived an incredible life.

 

Dante was the blueprint behind Rogue to Vogue Dog Training. He was with me through my transition from trainer to business owner, and I built this entire company around him. He was the best business partner I could’ve asked for — he drew crowds, showed up to work with a smile, and was always just happy to be by my side. I’m so proud of what we built together, and I’ll take it to the moon for him.

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I plan on adding another Doberman to the family and business in the near future. When we got Dante, I didn’t yet understand the importance of breed-specific research—but because of him, I now know the value of echocardiograms, holter tests, genetic testing, OFA certifications, and so much more. Dante showed me how unique the Doberman truly is, from dietary and medical needs to training styles, and he allows me to help other Doberman owners give their dogs the best chance at a long, healthy life.

 

Seven years later, I own Rogue to Vogue Dog Training, where our tagline is: “Training to be a Trendsetter, Not a Troublemaker.” My mission is to help owners raise stable, confident dogs they can bring anywhere—because Kai couldn’t. And with Dante’s spirit at the heart of this business, I strive to give every dog the same chance he had: to be trusted, capable, and dependable in any setting. Every lesson I teach comes from the foundation Kai laid and the fire Dante fueled—rooted in real experience, dedication, and the belief that no matter where you start, you can rewrite your dog’s story.