ABOUT US

Focus Forward Dog Training was founded on a passion for dog training and the desire to help people and their dogs. We wanted to build a company that focuses on forging a relationship with dogs and strengthening the canine/human bond. A relationship built on kindness and compassion where dogs are engaged and focused. We wanted a place where training is focused on engagement, enrichment, and keeping things fun. Our goal is to not only train dogs but to also teach their humans so that they better understand their dogs' behavior and motives in order to enrich the lives of people and their canine companions. In this process, we always want to make sure that learning is fun and that everyone is treated with kindness and respect.

Woman with short teal hair kneeling in grass next to a sitting black labrador. Woman is holding a dock diving title ribbon. Dog is staring at the camera with his tonuge hanging out.

Casey Crowley

Growing up I had a huge love for animals. Horses, whales, and dogs had my heart. I was most definitely a horse girl and I had my heart set on working with horses. After high school, I went to school to do just that. After battling symptoms for several years I was diagnosed with PTSD and Hashimoto's disease. Those symptoms and an injury forced me to leave the trade school I was attending and pursue other opportunities. During this time I realized that although I loved horses and sought everything I could learn about them through classes and books, I found a love of dog training.

In 2017 I started the journey with my Great Dane to train him as my service dog and although he was quick to learn his tasks to assist me his fear of novel things forced me to wash him from training later that year. Fast forward to May of 2019 and I brought home a black lab as my prospect. Over the last several years through training him myself and with the help of those more experienced than me he graduated right before his 2nd birthday. After that, the two of us began taking classes in multiple dog sports with the goals of having fun and continuing to strengthen our relationship. We have competed in dock diving and Nox earned his Dock Senior title in the fall of 2018. We continue to compete in dock diving with plans to compete in agility, rally, obedience, and conformation in the future.

Nox's first trainer who has become a good friend and mentor to me saw my natural ability to train dogs and encouraged me to build on that. She asked me if I'd ever considered becoming a dog trainer, to which I replied that I hadn't. She told me I would be great at it. Although I have continued to read every book, watch every video, and take every opportunity I can to further my skills I never seriously considered doing it professionally. It was just me and Nox. Towards the end of 2021, I began to consider her words very seriously, especially with encouragement from both of my parents and several friends. I started offering free group classes and lessons to my community. Soon they were also encouraging me to open a business. With all of their support, I opened Focus Forward Dog Training in June of 2022 and am loving every minute of it. I can't wait to see where the future takes me.