The Ideal Way To Learn
We offer modern DOG Training using advanced methods. Our professional dog training services include group classes, full service training, and behavior counseling. Our programs focus on creating well rounded, highly educated dogs and teaching owners to work with their dogs in a positive, productive way.
Positive
All of our services are designed to ensure that you and your dog have a positive learning experience.
Knowledgeable
Our science-based methods maximize results without compromising your dog’s well-being. We complete Continuing Education Credits every year to remain Certified.
Effective
Our goal is to effectively teach you and your dog important canine life skills without the use of fear or force.
Fun
Oh yeah, and we laugh a lot! All of our offerings are filled with fun, interactive lessons for you and your dog.
The Ideal Team
Meet our team of skilled instructors and trainers.
Lynsie Bernier CPDT-KA, CNWI
Owner, Certified Trainer, Evaluator
Lynsie Bernier is the owner of Ideal DOG and brings 30+ years in the animal care field to the business. Lynsie has been training and showing dogs since age 11. She has worked in nearly every capacity of professional animal care since 1993 including boarding, grooming, daycare, sheltering, and Veterinary care.
Over the last 20 years Lynsie has focused her career on dog training and behavior. Her credentials and memberships include:
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) since 2009.
- NACSW Certified Nose Work Instructor
- Approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- Approved Member of The Pet Professional Guild
- Approved Member of Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin
- Approved Tester/Observer Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Lynsie has developed several unique training services for Ideal DOG, each designed to achieve specific results. Her approach is not one size fits all. Lynsie is passionate about helping dogs and their families. She competes at a National level with her own dogs and can help you reach your goals as well. Lynsieloves teaching nose work, obedience, rally and agility. Let her help you have the performance dog you dream of!
lynsie@idealdogtrainer.com
Kelly Butkiewicz CPDT-KA, CVT
CVT, Head Certified Trainer, Evaluator
Kelly earned her Associate Degree in Applied Science in 1999 and has been a Certified Veterinary Technician ever since. She loves providing medical care to pets and serving their owners, but her true passion is training.
Kelly’s connection with dogs and training started in junior high school when her family finally adopted a black lab. She showed in 4H obedience/showmanship successfully and then started instructing the 4-H obedience/showmanship project kids and became a registered 4H judge. Her passion followed her through adulthood as she trained her own dogs as well as many rescue and foster dogs to make them more adoptable.
Today she has four English Cocker Spaniels she is lucky and proud to share her life with. She has bred and raised litters of AKC English Cocker Spaniels, trained, shown and earned titles in a variety of dog sports and events including Conformation, Agility, Rally, Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, Trick Dog, CGC and Therapy Dog volunteering. Kelly earned her CPDT-KA in 2022 and is an important part of the Ideal DOG Training Team. She loves working with private training clients as well as instructing a wide variety of classes.
Book a service with Kelly or enroll in one of her classes today!
Kelly@idealdogtrainer.com
James Affeldt, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog TRainer
Whether training for everyday life or competitive dog sports, James makes the training process fun, safe and effective for both the owner and the dog.
He understands the foundation of effective training is two-way communication between the human and the dog where both are willing participants working for rewards without pain or intimidation.
James is the proud guardian of 3 Australian Cattle Dogs and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and has competed in Rally Obedience, Scent Work and multiple venues of Agility since 2015.
He also has over 8 years of experience consulting with and volunteering at a local humane society where he trains, fosters and prepares homeless dogs for the next chapter of their life. He earned his CPDT-KA in 2023 and is also an approved AKC CGC Evaluator.
Book a service with James or enroll in one of his classes today!
James@idealdogtrainer.com
Gloria Simon, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Gloria’s training background began with her own rescue dogs, and then as a shelter caregiver, where she dove deeper into companion animal behavior and helping animals prepare for adoption. She apprenticed at Ideal Dog LLC and became an approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator in the fall of 2022 and earned her CPDT-KA in the fall of 2023. Gloria teaches group and private lessons for dogs and puppies at Ideal Dog LLC.
She volunteers with a number of local organizations, helping prepare shelter dogs for adoption as well as assisting with low cost vaccinations and altering clinics for companion and homeless animals in need. She enjoys training with her own dogs in agility and scent work.
Gloria loves working to build confidence in dogs so they can live comfortably and successfully with their guardians in the community. She endeavors to create an enjoyable and accessible learning environment where handler teams can strengthen their bond and skills for many happy years together.
Book a service with Gloria or enroll in one of her classes today!
Gloria@idealdogtrainer.com
Cari Tetzlaff, CDBC, KPA-CTP
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Cari Tetzlaff, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CDBC has been teaching group classes with Ideal DOG for years. She is now a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the owner of her own behavior consulting business Better Together Animal Training. Cari offers services for dogs and cats. We are thrilled to have Cari continue her partnership with Ideal DOG!
Cari@trainbettertogether.com
Hayley Edwards
Training Apprentice, CGC Evaluator
Hayley joined the Ideal DOG Team in January 2023 as a training apprentice and support staff. Hayley came to Ideal DOG with 2 years animal care experience as a Veterinary Assistant at Birch Bark in Appleton, WI. Since starting her journey in veterinary medicine she has taken a particular interest in dog training.
Hayley shares her home with three Siberian Huskies, Bane, Teddy and Wren, and her newest addition is an English Cocker named Laven. Hayley believes that every dog deserves to live a happy, confident, fear free life. Hayley’s goal is to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Hayley is currently taking time off as a new mom and plans to return to dog training in 2026.
Caroline Birnhak
Training Apprentice
Caroline has always had a big love for dogs. She found her love for training dogs by borrowing a friend’s black Labrador to run agility with at a young age. Caroline is learning about dog behavior and training as a class assistant. She is interested in working towards becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer.
Caroline currently has 2 English Cocker Spaniels, Turtle and Puffin. She found her love for English Cockers when she met her first dog, Otter. Otter played a very important role in showing Caroline how fun and rewarding participating in dog sports can be! She is currently competing in scent work and agility and learning about the AKC Fetch Program.
Certifications and Memeberships
Higher standards, greater knowledge base, better results for you and your dog.
