Meet The Team

Why Work with Us?

We are KPA Certified Training Partners! Karen Pryor Academy is one of the most highly-regarded professional dog training programs for dog trainers in the industry.
Our methods are based on positive reinforcement and current behavioral science.
We are certified Fear-Free, and never use fear, pain, or intimidation in our programs.
We value training that is easy to follow, consistent, and fun for both dogs and people.
We’re experienced at solving and preventing the most common behavior problems.
…And we adore dogs!

The Best Possible Care for Your Pet

Our staff consists of many great personalities and a variety of interests. One thing we all have in common is our compassion for animals. We hire top-notch staff that provide our clients with only the best possible care for their pets. We are also:

A Family Business

We are owned and operated by a mother and son team

Committed to High Quality

We prioritize high-quality service for dogs in our care

Compassionate

We use positive reinforcement dog training and clicker training

Effective

We adhere to a tried and true training curriculum

Dedicated to Learning

We stay updated on the most effective methods by attending professional seminars & conferences

Holistic

We also consider how your dog’s nutritional and exercise needs are effecting your dog’s behavior

Health Conscious

We practice what we preach, and are committed to daily workouts and healthy eating

Goal-Oriented

We are hard-working, disciplined, and experienced dog trainers that strive to get you fast results

Yo Armendariz, KPA CTP, CBATI, SDC

Owner, Operator & Professional Certified Dog Trainer
Yo Armendariz KPA CTP is the founder of Canine Learning Academy, and is dedicated to positive dog training and owner education. She’s a KPA Certified Training Partner, and is a proud Fear-Free Certified Professional. She’s an AKC CGC Evaluator, a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor CBATI, and a Certified Service Dog Trainer.

Patient Teacher & Passionate Positive Reinforcement Advocate
Yo is known for her ability to break down complex skills into easy steps, and for developing practical techniques that give her students a sense of achievement and success throughout the dog training process. She’s passionate about bringing humane, science-based training solutions to her community. She has a soft spot for Doodles and other misunderstood dog breeds.

Yo works with both pet parents and other dog trainers that want to learn more about positive reinforcement method of training.

Julie Fryman, KPA CTP, CBATI

Professional Certified Dog Trainer & General Manager

Julie is a KPA Certified Training Partner and has her Bachelors of Science from the University of Texas in Austin. She moved to California after working overseas as a scientist and teacher with the US Peace Corps.

Her background in scientific research and natural abilities with animals began her career in shelters and rescues where she worked with neonatal, feral, and fearful animals.

Animal Welfare Specialist & Passionate Learner

Julie has experience caring for a wide range of animals and believes that a holistic, positive approach to medical and behavioral issues is necessary for all breeds and species. She maintains her commitment to continuing education through accredited animal science agencies and is an avid reader of animal welfare research worldwide.

Julie’s best friend and training partner, Opal Blossom, is also a Karen Pryor graduate and helps to socialize our school puppies with large friendly dogs.

Kurtis Swinson

Training Manager & Professional Dog Trainer

Kurtis Swinson is a dedicated and skilled dog trainer, proudly certified through the Karen Pryor Academy. As the manager of the Canine Learning Academy’s training division, Kurtis is deeply invested in the education and development of both his canine and human students. His approach to training is rooted in positive reinforcement and a gentle methodology, reflecting the principles he learned at the Karen Pryor Academy.

Kurtis’s expertise is not limited to his professional pursuits. As a father, he extends his compassionate and effective training techniques to his parenting, fostering a nurturing and learning-friendly environment for his son. This holistic approach to education and training, whether it be for dogs of all ages or his child, is a testament to his belief in the power of positive reinforcement and kindness in learning.

His Leadership in the Positive Community

His leadership at the Canine Learning Academy is characterized by his commitment to creating a supportive and educational atmosphere. Kurtis ensures that every student, whether on two legs or four, receives personalized attention and guidance. His dedication to the well-being and development of dogs and people alike makes him a respected and beloved figure in the field of animal training.

Kurtis Swinson is more than just a trainer; he is a mentor, a teacher, and a role model, demonstrating daily that patience, positivity, and understanding are key to successful learning and growth.

OUR HELPER DOGS

Bentley CGC

Breed: Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepard/ Standard Poodle)

Weight: 50 lbs

Meet our Working Demo Dog Bentley
“Demo” Dogs are teachers. Working beside a trainer, a good demo dog demonstrates behaviors and can reliably help show new handlers what a specific task should look like, as well as help trainers break down those tasks into teachable components. Demo dogs are great visual aids for the humans and great role models for the dogs-in-training.

Our Inspiration and Mascot
Bentley is also the very attractive Doodle on our logo and the mascot of Canine Learning Academy. It was Yo’s bond while training with Bentley, that led to the creation of Canine Learning Academy. Bentley enjoys working as a demo dog for private our in-home clients, group classes, puppy class, and assist with private clients when reaction to other dogs is the problem behavior. Bentley quickly proved himself smart, energetic, universally friendly to humans and other animals, and loves to learn.

Bentley CGC, Therapy, KPA Dog

Breed: Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepard/ Standard Poodle)

Weight: 50 lbs

Meet our Working Demo Dog Bentley
“Demo” Dogs are teachers. Working beside a trainer, a good demo dog demonstrates behaviors and can reliably help show new handlers what a specific task should look like, as well as help trainers break down those tasks into teachable components. Demo dogs are great visual aids for the humans and great role models for the dogs-in-training.

Our Inspiration and Mascot
Bentley is also the very attractive Doodle on our logo and the mascot of Canine Learning Academy. It was Yo’s bond while training with Bentley, that led to the creation of Canine Learning Academy. Bentley enjoys working as a demo dog for private our in-home clients, group classes, puppy class, and assist with private clients when reaction to other dogs is the problem behavior. Bentley quickly proved himself smart, energetic, universally friendly to humans and other animals, and loves to learn.

Bandit CGC, Therapy

Breed: Certified Cutie -Tiny Bernedoodle

Meet our tiny working dog Bandit, he is only 18 lbs. and just turned two years old.

Socializing with dogs and people helps to make our student dogs build confidence. Bandit is used primarily for intro to our puppies and helping dogs learn play style for our smaller adult dogs.

He is featured in tutorial videos that can be seen worldwide. Bandit has been photographed with over 12 dog product lines and is working toward a promising modeling career in the dog industry.

He travels with Yo as a companion and helper dog when she runs workshops or speaking engagements across the US.

Bandit works with Paws-to-Share to spread love and joy as a therapy dog in senior centers, elementary schools, and colleges all across Southern California.

Bandit is little brother to Bentley and hopes one day to be as fantastic as Bentley.

Opal Blosson CGC

Our Working Dogs
We work with over reactive dogs that may need to us to safely set up scenarios in which dogs can socialize naturally and interact with triggers in positive ways. For dogs that are fearful, reactive on leash or under socialized we use our working dogs Opal at a distance where the student dog can feel safe.

Facilitating a proper greeting lays the foundation for our student dog to have strong relationships not only with other dogs, but with the new in the environment. We use our working dogs to help create opportunity for our student dogs to know that new dogs are safe.

Socializing with dogs and people helps to make our student dogs build confidence and fulfilled.

Opal Blossom- Julie Fryman dog, used primarily for intro to large dogs for our puppies and learning dogs play style for our adult dogs.

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