About Teacher’s Pet Training Academy

Small classes at four locations, plus in-home work

Teacher's Pet Training Academy runs "Fun, pawsitive dog training classes and private sessions in the Greater Madison area." Classes are deliberately small – "our dedicated, positive, certified trainers offer small, individualized classes that are capped at 6 canine participants" – and are held "in convenient locations in Cross Plains, Madison, Sun Prairie, and Waunakee." The services page names those venues: "Barks On Bourbon in Cross Plains, Tabby & Jack's on Monona Dr in Madison, Prairie Pawz in Sun Prairie, and Waunakee Vet Clinic." In-home private training is offered alongside the classes.

The range

Group Classes run the span the site describes as "From puppy kindergarten to college." Private Training is pitched at owners whose dog "is experiencing problem behaviors," is "not a good fit for class," or who cannot make the schedule. A set of "After School Activities" clubs is offered to "expand on your dog's knowledge and learn new behaviors." The site's own service menu also lists Off On The Right Paw, Smart Walks, Homeschooling, Hunting Buddies and a Canine Chaperone service.

Method and credentials

The philosophy page is unambiguous: "We firmly believe that training should be a fun, low-stress experience for all involved (humans & pets), and we focus on methods rooted in positivity … We will not use or recommend aversive techniques (choke chains, shock collars, etc.), as these have the risk of creating stress, fear related behavior problems and/or physically harming the dog." The academy states that "All of our trainers are certified through the Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)," calls out that "Dog training is still an unregulated industry, but all our trainers hold professionally recognized certifications and complete continuing education," and lists membership of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild and Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin, with all trainers certified in pet first aid and CPR.

The team

Sarah Miller, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, is listed as Owner & Lead Trainer; the site says she holds a B.S. in Psychology from UW-Madison, "became a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) in 2016, and earned her canine behavior consultant certification (CBCC-KA) in 2019," is certified to evaluate AKC Canine Good Citizen, Puppy Star and Urban Good Citizen titles, and "has been with Teacher's Pet since April of 2013." Emma Cross, CPDT-KA, pst-ci, is also listed as Owner & Lead Trainer, with a UW-Madison B.S., her CPDT-KA earned in 2019 and Predation Substitute Training certification in 2025. Brianne Statz, CPDT-KA, is listed as a Lead Trainer who "first joined Teacher's Pet in 2004," became CPDT-KA in 2006, is a Certified Veterinary Technician, and "particularly enjoys training tricks, agility, and parkour fun with her pets."