Natalie Ridge

Teaches at Canine Sports Dog Training

Natalie has been around dogs her entire life, while her family always had a pet dog, Natalie got her first dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog, around the age of 12. She took part in training classes as a junior handler, and her love of training was born. Later in life Natalie got her first dog as an adult, Athena, an American Pit Bull Terrier; after taking a puppy class at the Anti Cruelty Society, she began her formal career as a trainer through the Society's apprenticeship program. During her apprenticeship  Natalie  was led to rescue her second dog, Guinness, a highly reactive ex dog fighting American Staffordshire Terrier.It was through Guinness that Natalie met Emily Stoddard, and began learning training techniques from her as well as other instructors.  

After much hard work Guinness reactivity issues have been addressed, and he is now capable of living the life of a normal dog. Natalie has since finished her apprenticeship and become a full instructor at Anti Cruelty Society. She has also since adopted a third dog, Sputnik, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, and begun working as an instructor with Canine Sports Dog Training. Natalie's balanced training style focuses on the bond between owner and dog, and works to enhance communication between handler-dog teams.