WOOF UNIVERSITY, LLC
Education for both ends of the leash
The Woof University Family
Get to know us and why we are passionate about helping families and their dogs have stronger and more satisfying relationships
Meet The Team
Dawn O'Cain
Dawn is The OG for Positive Training in The Midlands. She was the first to offer Obedience Classes using modern positive methods after seeing firsthand at a Dog Trainer's Conference in San Diego how effectively and efficiently dogs can be trained without pain or fear.
Dawn's Dog Training experience is vast, spanning 30+ years. She has done Therapy with her dogs, Search and Rescue, and titled several in Competition Obedience. She co-founded the Greyhound Prison Program and taught inmates to train retired Greyhounds for adoption. She has done private dog rescue, worked as a Vet Tech, and currently runs a Boarding Kennel from her home.
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Dawn's passion is Great Danes which she breeds and shows in Conformation. A true animal lover, Dawn shares her home with dogs, cats, birds, horses, and chickens.
Kelly Whittington, FDM
Kelly has lived with dogs all her life, literally since birth. But, her passion for Dog Training was ignited by a skinny, flea-bitten stray dog she found in 2004. Unable to keep him or find his original owner, she had the idea that training him would help him get a good home faster. When she saw how much fun positive training was, she was hooked!
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Kelly has fostered many dogs for a local pet rescue group. She loves to take the most challenging ones who might otherwise be considered "unadoptable", help them become their best self, and find their perfect forever home.
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Kelly is a "Behavior Nerd" who reads and studies animal behavior for fun! She is the author of all the articles for students, using her deep knowledge and experience to help dog owners better understand their dogs. She is a Family Dog Mediator and is trained in working with Aggression in Dogs. Kelly shares her home with several rescue dogs and reptiles.
Lauren Gazella
Lauren has been working with retired Greyhounds since she was 12 years old. Her mom co-founded the Greyhound Prison Program with Dawn, and she took over teaching the inmates how to train the Greyhounds when Dawn retired.
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Lauren is a Certified Vet Tech currently working in Emergency care. Her angel Greyhound, Uno, was a blood donor and Lauren helped him earn the Canine Good Citizen title. Her Dog Training passion is teaching dogs to stay calm and relaxed for veterinary procedures. When dogs are accepting of vet care, it is easier on them, the veterinary staff, and the owners.
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In her free time, Lauren loves Hiking and Biking with her rescue Doberman, Enzo. Enzo is also a blood donor and Canine Good Citizen.
Woof U
Woof U was established in 2009 out of a love for dogs and the desire for every dog to have a happy home. We are heavily involved in animal rescue and believe that good training saves lives. 96% of dogs who end up homeless have had no formal obedience training. Trained dogs are easier to live with and just plain more fun!
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Woof U's training is about helping dogs reach their highest potential. We know that fear and pain are not necessary for having a well-trained dog. Dogs who are trained positively are less stressed, more social, and more connected with their owners. We make learning fun for dogs AND people.
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The earlier you start your dog's education, the better - before bad habits develop. But, it's never too late. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
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