08/11/2024
Meet the DGDC Trainers!!
🐕 JOAN MARIE DAUBER is driven by two lifelong passions: singing and animals. She has been singing since childhood, earned a master’s degree in Voice Performance, and is currently a member of the professional Morning Choir at Fourth Presbyterian Church. She has directed two professional music ensembles, spent a decade as a certified Pilates instructor, and shares her home with her husband Pablo and a loving array of pets — 7 cats and 2 dogs over the years. Their current furry family includes three cats (Danny, Amana, and Tobias) and their dog Letty.
Her love for animals inspired her to begin volunteering with PAWS Chicago in 2010, where she deepened her knowledge of animal training and behavior. Over the years, Joan Marie has served in various volunteer roles, including volunteer trainer and mentor, media spokesperson, off-site enrichment handler, playgroup leader, and dog-to-dog interaction coordinator. She even participated in a puppy mill rescue on-site.
In 2021, Joan Marie decided to turn her dedication to animals into a career, focusing on helping dogs. She completed her certification with Karen Pryor Academy, an achievement that required Letty's participation as well, and soon after, she founded Darn Good Dogs Chicago. The rest, as they say, is history!
🐩For over 30 years, JOAN HARRIS has trained dogs and their people in the Chicagoland area. Her main goal is to help people develop happy and healthy relationships with their dogs. She is a graduate of prestigious Karen Pryor Academy, where she gained a solid knowledge of clicker training and the science that governs learning.
Joan began her career in dog training after she adopted her first rescue German Shepherd, Hans. She entered the competition world with her next seven German Shepherds, earning titles in obedience, tracking and protective work. Simultaneously she worked as a trainer helping people with their pets and helping solve behavior challenges encountered in the home environment.
In 2014, she joined the staff of Chicago’s largest no-kill shelter PAWS Chicago as Director of Canine Training and Behavior. During her time at PAWS, she trained staff and volunteers on safe handling techniques and canine body language. Since leaving her position at PAWS Chicago, she became a trainer at Darn Good Dogs Chicago where she does private in-home training sessions.
❓Do you have any other questions for Joan Marie or Joan H? Post your question in the comments!
Positive reinforcement dog trainers who specialize in behavioral issues such as reactivity, jumpy/mouthy behavior, separation anxiety, and fear.
