Dawn became fascinated with training animals at a young age, and taught the family pets (dogs and cats) to do silly tricks for treats, even teaching one cat to jump through a hoop like the big cats in the circus.  After she picked up a used book at around age 12 about training dogs to win obedience titles, it was all over.  Dawn trained the family dog at the time - a basset hound - many of the basic obedience exercises, but it wasn't until years later when she had gotten her own dogs that she began to actually enter competitions.  Dawn has been training obedience and rally exercises in a purely positive manner since 2001, and competing since 2004, earning many titles along the way, including 3 UDs, 3 REs, 1 RAE, 2 RL3s, and 1 ARCHMX.  In 2010, she added nose work to the dog sports she trains and competes in.  Dawn has also dabbled in agility, tracking, conformation, draft work (carting), therapy dog work, and of course tricks (still including silly cat tricks).

Dawn has taken the Clicker Trainer's Competency Assessment Program (CAP) test, which assesses the person's training skills (not the dog's) at Level 1 and Level 2, passing both with Distinction (the highest possible grade).  She strives to continue improving her skills by learning as much as she can however she can, especially through online courses and books.  Dawn currently lives with Lab-mix Pablo (15 years), Shepherd-mix Penny (9), Shepherd-mix Freya (1), cats Cammy (15) and Phoebe (4), one human child, and one very patient husband.