TAYLOR LIMA CPDT-KA CTDI FFCP

Taylor is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, a graduate of the Dog Training Foundations course through the Karen Pryor Academy, a Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog Evaluator for the American Kennel Club, a gold-level Certified Trick Dog Instructor with Do More With Your Dog, and a Fear Free Certified Training Professional. Taylor has attended countless classes, seminars, webinars, conferences, and workshops with experts in a variety of sub-specialties in dog training & behavior such as Mike Shikashio, Nando Brown, Dr. Ken Martin, Shade Whitesel, Dr. Susan Friedman, Sarah Stremming, Sue Sternberg, Susan Garrett, Stef Rainer, Elicia Calhoun, Shoshana Dos, Hannah Branigan, and more.

Taylor continues to attend classes and private lessons with her own dogs, and is passionate about continuing education.

Taylor has been involved with animals since she was 7 years old and joined the Merry Moo-ers 4-H club, where she spent years learning about the care, handling, and showing of dairy cattle. Throughout her childhood and into early adulthood Taylor also rode horses, competing in local showjumping events.

Taylor got her first puppy, a German Shepherd named Samson, while in the Animal Sciences program at the University of Connecticut. Taylor & Samson trained in Schutzhund (now called IPO/IGP) and AKC Obedience. On a whim, Taylor took Samson to an agility class and was hooked.

After relocating to Vancouver, Canada Taylor welcomed two more dogs into her life- two rescue Chihuahua/Terrier mixes named Finley and Scarlett. She took agility classes with Tara LaBelle in Pitt Meadows, a UKI agility judge and 5-time Canadian Agility World Team member, got involved in coursing sports, and started competing in Scent Work.

Taylor joined up with Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Kris Crestejo, and started learning more about working with aggressive and reactive dogs. This prompted Taylor to start her own dog walking company for such dogs called Woof Who’s Happy. The business quickly became successful, and Taylor learned many strategies for working with reactive and aggressive dogs in busy urban environments.

After moving back to Connecticut, Taylor brought home her fourth puppy, a Golden Retriever named Chester. Chester was her first serious competition dog, and the pair have gone on to compete and/or title in a variety of sports such as agility, barn hunt, scent work, rally, competition obedience, and dock diving. In 2021, Taylor welcomed home her fifth puppy, a Whippet named Melody.

Taylor worked at renowned facility Tails U Win in Manchester, CT for many years, teaching group classes of all kinds and helping to manage their successful Day Training programs before turning her attention to Pup to Perfection full time.