Founder Lara Schindler is a certified Canine Water Sports judge and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator running Happy Dog Happy Owner from 4495 Niagara Ave since completing honors certification through Animal Behavior College. The Surf Dog, Stand Up Paddleboard With Your Dog, and Learn to Dog Paddle classes use OB's off-leash Dog Beach at the west end of Voltaire as the classroom, with post-session rinse-offs at Dog Beach Dog Wash two blocks from the sand. Tiered obedience runs Levels 1 through 5, including dedicated curricula for Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, and Urban CGC title prep. Group classes are capped small and use positive-reinforcement methods exclusively, with virtual Level 1 and Level 2 options for owners who prefer written lectures and video homework review. Severe-behavior clients who need one-on-one coaching for fear, reactivity, or separation anxiety can also work with force-free CPDT-KA trainer Stephanie Woodle at The Fairy Dogmother. Schindler is APDT-member certified, Red Cross Pet First Aid certified, and volunteers with therapy dog Hops at Rady Children's Hospital through Love on a Leash. The program's most advanced track prepares pulled-shelter and rescue dogs for formal AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine certification through a multi-level progression combining obedience, agility, scent work, and water sports.