In this series, we’ll be chatting with every member of the KeenDog team. We’ll dive into their origin stories, their passions, and the experiences that have shaped them into the trainers you know and love. And maybe we’ll discover a few quirks, too!

Next up, KeenDog trainer, Lilly…

Tell us about your first dog!

Growing up I had a Maltese and then later a Cockapoo! The Maltese was not very well trained so when we got our Cockapoo, Ollie, we dedicated a lot of time to training him. He was a great family dog. After college I got my first personal dog, Séamus, who is an American Staffordshire Mix.

What inspired you to become a dog trainer?

From a young age, I’ve had a deep love for animals, particularly dogs and horses. When we got our childhood dog, Ollie, I dedicated much of my time to training him, which naturally led to helping friends and neighbors with their dogs. As I grew older, my passion for dog training only intensified. In college, I started fostering and training puppies for local rescues from my apartment. That’s when I foster-failed with my first dog, Séamus; I fell in love with training him and began immersing myself in the world of dog training.

What is your favorite thing (behavior, sport, etc.) to train and why?

Teaching puppies to swim and eventually dock dive is a true passion of mine! Growing up along the Long Island Sound in Connecticut, the water has always been one of my happiest places. I also have a deep love for raising puppies; there’s something incredibly rewarding about helping them experience the world for the first time, guiding them as they explore and enjoy life to the fullest.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new dog owners?

Don’t wait until your puppy is 16 weeks to get them out of the house!

What is one thing you wish dog owners knew or understood?

Dogs find clarity with rules and boundaries. Crating your dog is not cruel.  Don’t forget to play with your dog!

What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had while training a dog?

Working with an insecure, fearful dog who had completely shut down and watching them begin to open up and embrace the world was incredibly rewarding. With patience and dedication, I saw the dog's personality emerge, as they learned to trust again. It was equally fulfilling to help their owner gain the confidence they needed to support their dog’s transformation.

Another memorable experience has been having the privilege to temperament test a litter, select a particular puppy for a family based on their lifestyle, and then raise them to become their best version of themselves.

If you were a dog, what breed would you be and why?

Livestock guardian or Labrador Retriever! Livestock Guardians are known to be protective, courageous, loyal, territorial, alert and independent. They are bonded to their herd from an early age and will protect their flock from intruders and potential threats. Labradors are known to be friendly, outgoing, and devoted to their families. They are athletic and love the water and are always up for an adventure.

If you could train any famous dog from movies or TV, who would it be and why?

Chance or Shadow from Homeward Bound. My all-time favorite dog movie! Because I mean come on?!

Anything else you want the people to know about you? Your dogs? Your training style?

I have three wonderful dogs: Séamus, an 8-year-old staffy mix; Joplin, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever; and Cashew, a 1-year-old Chihuahua mix. None of them were planned! Séamus was a foster-fail during my college years. After fostering ten dogs, I realized there was something truly special about him and couldn’t let him go. Joplin was a remarkable puppy prodigy who I immediately grew close to. She is also currently training to be my medical response service dog in training (SDiT). She embodies everything I’ve always wanted in a dog! As for Cashew, he was a client’s dog that needed a new home, and I couldn’t resist bringing him in. He always brings us joy and laughter, and he’s best friends with Joplin. My dogs mean the world to me; it’s truly me and them against the world, and I can’t imagine my life without them.

In my free time you can either find me cuddled on the couch with my 3 dogs, hiking, paddle boarding, going to concerts, or competing in dock diving!

Tell us about your teammates!

My teammates have turned into some of my closest friends. I’ve loved spending time with them at concerts, on trips, hikes, and dinners. They make everything more fun.