Steve is the founder and co-owner of Domestic Dog Training. He is also Cortney's husband. Steve has been a dog enthusiast since before he could walk. Growing up, he had 3 dogs who followed him everywhere as he taught them commands and unknowingly started his journey towards becoming a professional dog trainer. Steve earned his Certified Professional Dog Trainer certification through National K-9 School for Dog Trainers. With this certification he is able to train dogs in multiple different areas such as basic/advanced obedience, behavior modification, breed identification, puppy development, personal protection and assistance dogs, to name a few.

Outside of Domestic Dog Training, Steve is a life-long musician. He is known to pick up his guitar or sit down at the piano whenever the moment strikes. But, at the end of the day, dog training is his calling and it is hard to pull him away. (Trust us, we try.)

Cortney is co-owner and manager of Domestic Dog Training, and is also Steve's wife. Cortney has been a dog lover and dog owner for her entire life. She has a background in Special Education, as well as music and fitness, but the decision to partner with Steve in the building of Domestic Dog Training was an easy one. Who doesn't want to work and play with dogs all day?

Outside of Domestic Dog Training, Cortney continues to pursue her passion for fitness as a Personal Trainer, while also spending her free time training for triathlons. When she is not training herself or others, she can be found hiking, running, or aggressively snuggling with Hawk and Savannah, the two dogs of the Bunce/Penta family.

Emily has been a dog and cat lover her entire life. She began volunteering at the MSPCA at a very young age, attending their children's summer camp, and started her own dog walking/bathing business at the age of 12. Her journey as a groomer began in 2016, where she started as a bather/assistant for a small shop. Since 2016, she has continued her education through apprenticeships, in-person seminars, grooming certification programs, working in daycare and boarding facilities, and volunteering at shelters. This wide range of knowledge, allows her to work with various breeds of dogs, provide tips and education, and ensure that your dog is getting the best care possible.

Emily spends her time out of work with her husband, daughter, their dogs, Ares and Link, and 2 cats. Her hobbies outside of work include gardening, craft and DIY projects, reading, and spoiling her daughter and pets.

Groomer

With over 5 years of experience as a professional dog groomer, she is dedicated to helping pups look and feel their best. Grooming isn’t just her job—it’s her passion. She is committed to making every dog feel cute, comfortable, and cared for. Whether it’s a routine trim or a full transformation, she prides herself on creating a calm, friendly experience tailored to each pup’s needs.

Outside of grooming, she enjoys spending quality time with her boyfriend, her sweet dog Buddy, and her curious cat Jiji. An avid gym-goer and outdoor enthusiast, she loves going for walks and is always ready for a new challenge.

Steve and Cortney adopted Hawk in May of 2020 and couldn't be happier with him. He was in need of a home after swallowing a stuffed animal at 6 months old, (hence the doggy vacuum cleaner), and undergoing major surgery that the owner couldn't afford. After a local trainer decided he was not fit to be a working dog because he was "too friendly", we ended up with him!

Now, you will most likely see Hawk greeting customers around the property, playing fetch, or still trying to eat everything and anything in sight, (it's a work in progress). If this giant, scar-faced dog is running at you, don't worry, he is indeed "too friendly".

The OD (original dog). The MB (Main B****). Girly, wormy, too many nicknames to count. This Catahoula Leopard Dog is the dog that started it all! Steve and Cortney got this sassy #catawhat from a local shelter and immediately struggled with training. We were in the same position most people are when they call us, thinking "Is this dog untrainable?!". We soon found out, no she is not. While she is still the same sassy girl we got years ago, she has come a long way and we don't know what we would do with out her.

Now, you will most likely see Savannah... well, you probably won't see her because she loves to lounge in bed. When she is not in bed she loves going for hikes or runs, chasing chipmunks and moles, and going to Grammy and Grampy's where obedience and commands don't exist, and it is the land of endless cheese.

Hawk’s pint-sized sidekick / Front Desk Greeter #2

Auggie is the quirky small dog that Cortney and Steve never thought they’d have. After completing a training program with us, it became clear that Auggie’s first home was simply not the best fit. (No biggie, it happens.) But while in training, everyone fell in love with this grumpy, yet sweet, little white Caton who pushed all of our buttons, only to make us laugh with his silly sneezing smile. It wasn’t much of a conversation, more like an unspoken understanding that Auggie would be rehomed to Steve and Cortney, expanding their pack to three. 

Now, Auggie and Hawk make a great duo of office greeters, and otherwise, you can find Auggie wherever Cortney is… unless Grampa Bunce is around, then everyone else is chopped liver.

Demo Dogs / Peer Trainers

Meet Ares and Link, our dynamic duo of demo dogs!

Ares is calm, cool, and collected and loves to bring that energy into the training room. He excels in peer training, helping other dogs learn essential skills and behaviors through fun and positive interactions. His favorite job is helping reactive dogs work through their stress, by showing them that not every dog has bad intentions.

Link brings a high energy and excitable personaility to the table. He loves to turn up the fun in training sessions, and help other dogs learn to let loose and have a good time!

Yard Supervisor

Meet Buddy, Sam's personal dog. He's a spirited redbone coonhound who brings energy and enthusiasm to our team. With a loud bark and a keen sense of smell, he loves to survey the yard, ensuring everything is in order. His playful personality and dedication to sniffing out any new scents make him a beloved member of our team. Always on the lookout for fun and adventure, he keeps our training environment lively and is always there to offer a nice, loud distraction!