Accredited Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant in Olathe, KS
​DEB STONE
IAABC-ADT, AKC CGC EVALUATOR
Dog Nerd. Human Coach.
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ABOUT DEB STONE & DOG NERD ACADEMY​​
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Welcome to Dog Nerd Academy! I’m Deb Stone, a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant based in Olathe, Kansas, proudly serving Johnson County and the surrounding areas.
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MY STORY​
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I've been passionate about dogs all my life, and have been working with dogs professionally for over 13 years in various roles as doggie daycare attendant, dog walker, pet sitter and most recently professional dog trainer. I didn’t start in dog training, but loved being around dogs so much I found my way here anyways!
In 2016 I earned my Bachelor of Science in Feed Science and Management from Kansas State University and spent eight years working in the pet food industry as a project manager focused on innovation and helping companies bring products to market. During my career in project management I relocated to different parts of the country but ended up living in eastern Pennyslvania for 5 years, where I got my start as a dog trainer. In my role as a project manager I gained a lot of valuable people and management skills that serve me well in helping my human clients.
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While pursuing my career I was also living with and working with my own reactive and agressive dog, Lupin (read about Lupin). I spent a lot of time educating myself and working with professionals to address Lupin's behaviors, and in the end it really felt like I went to school for a new degree! In 2021 I was offered an opportunity to teach group classes part-time at Let's Speak Dog, one of the largest training schools in the Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley. In 2023 when life gave me the lemon of a layoff, I decided to make lemonade by pivoting into training professionally full time and have been ever since with no regrets!
After a couple of years I made the difficult descision to leave Pennsylvania and retrun back to Kansas to be near family. With the skills I gained in my career as a project manager and my passion and enthusiasm for dogs and dog training, I opened my own business, Dog Nerd Academy in January of 2025.
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My goal is to provide dog training and education to my local community and beyond that is kind, effective and accessible. ​
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MY APPROACH​
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At Dog Nerd Academy, I believe training isn’t just about teaching dogs—it’s about educating and empowering the humans who live with them.
My goal is for you to have the knowledge and skills you need to understand your dog and handle any challenge that comes your way, even after working with me.
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I am focused on fostering a strong canine-human bond with an emphasis on learning that is both accessible and enjoyable for the human and the dog! Training doesn't need to be a chore!
Not only will things be fun, but my background in project management has given me the ability to see the big picture, and breaking things down into tiny, manageable pieces - translating to training plans that are easy for you to follow and succeed at!
I follow modern, ethical and effective training practices grounded in the latest science and understanding of learning and behavior. I consider myself a lifelong learner and always working to continuing my education and staying well informed. I know how important it is to be the voice of clarity when the world is full of misinformation. I participate in conferences, webinars, workshops, online courses and follow the industries leading experts in the field of training and behavior so I can bring you the most up to date information!
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SPECIALTIES
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I specialize in working with:
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Basic obedience and manners
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Puppies and adolescent dogs
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Dogs with hyper arousal and reactivity
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Behavior consulting for fear and aggression​
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Foundations for dog sports - rally, obedience, nosework, agility
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Whether you’re just starting out or need support managing challenging behaviors, I’m here to guide you with patience, undertanding and compassion. Check out my private coaching and behavior consulting services to learn more.
WHY CHOOSE DOG NERD ACADEMY?
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Certified IAABC Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT)
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AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
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10+ years of experience working with dogs professionally
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4+ years of professional training experience
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Human-centric approach focused on owner education
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Located in Olathe, serving Johnson County, KS
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Let’s work together to help you and your dog communicate better!
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Ready to find true connection with your dog?
Contact me or schedule a free phone consult to get started! ​​​​​
MEET LUPIN
JLS Remus John Lupin TKN BCAT, CDSP-SN, WCRL - RL1X, RL2X, ARCHX, RL3, FL1, FL2
​Lupin, my Dalmatian and best friend, is not only featured in many of my photos but also the heart and inspiration behind my journey as a dog trainer.
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I've loved the dalmatian for as long as I can rember, collecting anything dalmatian since childhood. When I finally moved out of my parents home the fist thing I did was get my own dog...and of course I wanted a dalmatian! It felt like fate that the breeder I had followed for years just happened to have a single puppy available at the time I moved. I was in love from the first picture and I knew he was mine.
It was not until Lupin turned a year old that he began exhibiting signs of reactivity and agression. First some mild reactivity and agression towards dogs, then it escalated...then it generalized to people and it just got worse and worse until I didn't know what to do with it. It got to a point I would avoid taking him out of the house because I did not know how to handle his behavior.
Eventually I went seeking help and thinking it might help him adjust to being around dogs, I started group classes. We struggled with the group class, and thankfully my instructor suggested I look into getting some one on one coaching. That felt like the start of this whole journey. That trainer was one of many who helped me better understand Lupin.
I went on to work with several professionals, including a veterinary behaviorist and two different Certified Dog Behavior Consultants, as well attending various online classes, online conferences, and webinars just to seek out and understand what made Lupin so reactive and how to change his reactivity. I also read books, listend to podcasts, and read articles on the subjects of behavior and training. I ended up finding that I loved learning about dogs, their behavior and how to work with them - which is what led me to the profession of dog training!
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While I learned a lot from professionals, I still consider my greatest teacher, mentor and coach to be Lupin. It took a lot of work to figure out my own dog and learn to navigate the world with him. He taught me to undestand dogs in a way I never did before, and he also taught me to understand myself.
Our journey has given me the perspective of what many of my clients go through, living every day with a reactive dog. Life feels a bit more complicated when you share it with a dog who doesn't warm up to strangers right away and does not tolerate strange dogs. The simple act of taking your dog for a walk and meeting their needs feels overwhelming. You feel isolated and cut off from the world because it's not easy to bring guests over, you can't just board your dog or hire any sitter to look after them when you leave, and every injury or potential illness you weigh whether the stress of a vet visit is neccessry or if you can manage at home. Life with a reactive dog is hard, and the thing I most wish I had when I went through it with my dog was support and understanding. I am grateful this is something I can give to my clients.
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In spite of his reactivity, Lupin is a joyful and goofy spirit who makes me smile and laugh every day. Our favorite activity is exploring nature on hikes and having outdoor adventures. We also love to play games and participate in dog sports. Lupin is an incredibly smart and driven worker, and he loves to train! We started in rally obedience, where we earned numerous titles in the World Cynosport Rally League (WCRL), and also trained in obedience and earned the CDSP Startner Novice title. Lupin has also achieved several AKC Trick Dog titles and enjoys inventing new tricks for fun at home. Additionally, he loves to chase the plastic 'bunny' in AKC Fast CAT events, and has earned his BCAT and DCAT. Currently, we are embracing the exciting sport of canine nosework, with hopes to compete soon.
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I firmly believe dogs come into our lives to teach and guide us. I am profoundly grateful for all that Lupin has taught me and continues to teach me. His legacy will forever live on through every dog and owner I have the privilege to support and coach, inspired by the lessons he imparted.
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To my bestest boy, Lupin. I wouldn't be here without you.
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”
— Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red
