Welcome to Trails and Tails.
The home of concept based dog training in Bozeman, MT.
Offering in-person and online training.
Classes
At Trails and Tails, we offer a variety of different classes to get you started and help you get the most out of your relationship with your dog.
The magic formula
No matter where you are, we can help you reach your dog owning dreams. With online coaching and in-person private training options, we can help you and your dog find the right path.
Learn concepts. Practice skills. Focus on a plan that will help you reach your goals.
Our Staff
Sara Erickson, CPDT-KA - Owner
Hi! I’m Sara and I’ve been enjoying all that Montana has to offer since I moved here from Idaho to study Biotech at Montana State University. After graduating, I settled down and worked as a pulmonary immunology research associate on campus for many years before starting Rook’s Games and More, a hobby game store here in Bozeman. I have now worked in the game industry at many levels for over 15 years and have seen how powerful games can be for so many people.
During this time, we’ve had many wonderful dogs, including our famous store dog and old lady Australian Shepard mix, Dakota. Our first puppy, Mishra, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, introduced me to the joys of dog training. My two current dogs, Otter and Tracer are both border collies who have been my successful test subjects for games-based training.
I’ve been lucky enough to work with many other dogs over the years through my experiences doing in-home boarding, working at the veterinary hospital while I was in highschool, and now as a certified professional trainer. I can’t wait to meet you and your dog, too!
Loves helping students with:
Dog-Dog Interaction Struggles
Resource Guarding
Separation Related Behaviors
Building Relationships Between You and Your Dog
General Reactivity
Scent Work
Education & Certifications & Awards:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed - Through CCPDT®
Pro Dog Trainer Certification+ Geek+ Genius through Absolute Dogs
Fear Free Certified through FearFreePets.com
B.S. Biotechnology - Montana State University
Tracer’s Scentwork Accomplishments though NACSW:
NW3 Containers - 1st place
NW3 Interiors - 1st place
NW3 Vehicles - 1st place
NW3 Interiors - 3rd place
NW3 Vehicles - 3rd place
NW3 Exteriors - 3rd place
NW3 Qualifying Leg
NW3-Interior Title
NW3-Vehicle Title
NW3-Containers Title
NW3-Exteriors Title
NW2 Title
NW2 2nd Place Overall
NW2 Containers - 1st place
NW2 Vehicles - 2nd place
NW1 Title
NW1 - Interior 1st place
NW1 - Container 1st place
NSA1 Title
NSA3 Title
NSAM Title
Element Specialty Level 1 Interior Title
Odor Recognition Test - NACSW
Patricia Brewster, CPDT-KA - Trainer
Hello! I am a former equine professional training horses and teaching lessons in dressage and show jumping for 20 years. In 2008, I started training my late Jack Russell Terrier, Nico, in dog sports. Nico competed in agility and barn hunt. He was a very reactive dog which made me seek out behavior and training techniques for dogs with reactivity or environmental sensitivities. I started attending seminars from Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, and the wonderful late Sophia Yin. These legendary behaviorists have created the foundation in my dog training.
I now have an 8-year-old Rat Terrier, Zazu, who is environmentally sensitive, but we still compete and are successful in NACSW / CWAGS Nose work and CPE agility. I also own two German shorthaired pointers, 3 year old Gunter and 2 year old Einstein. They are currently training to compete in agility, nose work, and tracking. All my dogs have passed the CGC and have AKC trick titles. I continue learning with my dogs every day and enjoy passing on the knowledge.
Being a scientist, I use science-based practices proven by research that are 100% positive. I can get a little nerdy behind the why in dog behavior and how dogs learn in class. I teach dogs through games and play. I love teaching people how to play with, communicate and form a partnership with their dog.
Certifications:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed - Through CCPDT®
Certified AKC canine good citizen and puppy star evaluator.
Loves helping students with:
Sports Dog Foundations
Agility
Scent work
Tricks
Relationships through Play
Building Confidence in Sensitive Dogs
What is Concept Training?
It might sound a bit far-fetched to think that teaching our dogs in terms of concepts rather than the traditional sit, stay, come type of approach is a better way to do things. The traditional approach often works well at home or at training class, however the picture often changes when dogs find themselves in situations that are exciting or stressful. Suddenly, it seems as if the dog is deaf or has forgotten all the tricks they’ve been taught! Instead, we need to provide our dogs with skills that they can use to be successful in any environment and any situation. This is where concepts come in.
Calm - the biggy, the golden concept upon which we build everything else. A calm dog makes good choices - they don’t jump up, pull on leash, bark, harass other dogs or people, and they are able to LISTEN to what we ask of them.
Confidence - they can take the world in stride, they can walk past the other dog in the park that’s barking and lunging at them with ease, or handle the overexcited kids at the family party with grace.
Disengagement - They recognize that the world around them is none of their business (other dogs, deer, rabbits, sheep, kids, bikes, etc.) and can keep moving. It’s another big one for a lot of dogs.
Engagement - With the right things when asked, namely YOU!
And more - staying close, tolerance of frustration, grit, self control, thinking when excited….!
So what about the things like loose lead walking, recall, and the basics, like sit and down? Surely I still need these?
Yes, we do teach traditional commands but under a framework of concepts. Best of all, it’s bespoke to your dog. Some dogs will need lots of help with one particular concept and be naturals at others. It’s not cookie cutter training - it fits you and your dog and what you need!
