About Us

Welcome to THE 1 DOG TRAINER ACADEMY! I am Sharon Burch, the owner and proud professional dog trainer to our Cadets. Thank you for your interest in our training services and let me start by assuring you that I take pride in each and every one of my Cadets, so you will always speak to me directly about our dog training and your needs. I ensure personally that each Cadet’s needs are met and each client/owner is 100% satisfied!

My love for animals and nature began when I was a little girl and my dad worked for the State Park Service. I credit not only my love of animals but also my understanding of them to my Mom and Dad. By example, Mom and Dad taught me the value in all living creatures and showing me that you truly can adapt and communicate with animals.

Growing up, Mom and Dad always had Labrador Retrievers and I learned at a young age that a dog considers him/herself to be part of the family and should be loved no less than your two legged family members. Once a teenager, my mom agreed that I could have my own dog and that was my first love. He was a rescued 1-year-old Rottweiler German Shepard mix named Tyson and he saw me through my high school years.

My next dog was the love of my life and the dog that changed my life! Bailey, the Doberman, was one of the smartest girls ever and made me want to explore dog training. She quickly showed me that without discipline and leadership, I would be her human rather than her being my dog! Having her allowed me to follow my natural path in communicating and working with dogs. I credit my baby girl Bailey for my decision to explore the experience and education for becoming a canine trainer.

In 2001, I was fortunate to be hired as a kennel tech for a facility and, after my shift was over, I did not want to leave the dogs, so I spent countless hours watching canine training and learning as much as I could. After 6 months, I was offered a position for apprenticeship under the chief trainer.

That was the beginning of my wonderful career of canine dog training. I exceeded all expectations and knowledge they could teach me. I was ready to reach out to learn more by attending continuing education and specialty courses to further my experience. These courses not only taught me all the skills I needed to be a good dog trainer, but also gave me experience and knowledge of how to modify training to each dog and owner team to highlight strengths and strengthen weaknesses resulting in stable, confident, and happy relationships.

My confidence and experience in canine training led me to where I am today, owner and operator of my own dog training academy–where your dog can become our #1 Cadet!