Becky Rupert, M.S., M.B.A., CPDT-KA

Owner and Trainer at The Naughty Dog

Hi!  I’m glad you stopped by.  My name is Becky and I’m a certified professional dog trainer.  I’ve trained thousands of dogs and look forward to helping you to have the dog you deserve…the dog of your dreams!

Have you always been a dog trainer?
Yes and no.  I’ve been working with dogs since I was 5 years old.  Growing up, my parents bred and raised Dalmatians.  I was always training them to do tricks with the hope of being discovered by the TV show “That’s My Dog!”  Needless to say, I never was discovered by the show, but that didn’t deter my love of dogs and dog training.

In 1998, I mentored under another trainer and started officially “training dogs” for others, but mostly for extra money and fun while I pursued my degrees.  In 2005, I was hired by the Iams Dog food company because I had advanced degrees and ironically because I was a DOG TRAINER!  My first two years at Iams, I traveled around the United States setting up canine and feline enrichment programs at veterinary schools, creating training programs for dogs and cats participating in nutritional research studies and finding homes for retired research dogs and cats (I found private homes for just over 300 dogs and cats in less than 2 years!).  My remaining 8 years with Iams, I spent doing product development and market research work…aka talking to dog and cat owners, trainers and breeders about what they wanted for their dogs and cats and then working to develop products that would do that!  

Working at Iams allowed me to work with some of the best of the veterinarians and animal behaviorists in the country.  I also built relationships with breeders, kennels and very well known rescue organizations around the country.  Working there was an amazing experience and opportunity.  

But all the while, as I worked in my grown up job, I continued to train dogs on the side, compete with my own dogs and continued to attend training seminars. Late in 2014, with my husband completing his doctorate degree, I decided it was time for me to leave my corporate job to do what I’ve always been doing…TRAINING DOGS….but this time as a career!

Wow!  You gave up a cushy corporate job to train dogs?!  Yes, because….
I love dogs…and I love their people!  Many times people think that being a dog trainer is about playing with puppies all day.  And while I must admit, I do love playing with puppies, being a dog trainer is more about helping dogs develop into the dogs their owners always dreamed of having.  No one brings their dog home and says, “Gee, I sure hope this little guy pees on the floor for the next month, chews up the remote or takes off in the yard after a squirrel leaving me chasing him in my bunny slippers…(true story!)”  If they did, I’d be out of a job!  Instead people have this idea of what they want living with their dog to be like, but no plan of how to get there.  That’s where I come in!  I LOVE helping people achieve their training goals so they can enjoy having a dog that behaves the way they always dreamed.  I’ve helped thousands of others and I’m looking forward to helping you too!

I promise you that…
Training your dog will be one of the smartest investments you’ll ever make.  I promise that we’ll have fun and though it won’t always be easy, that I’ll be there to guide you every step along the way.  I’ve worked with dogs with a variety of backgrounds, young and old, small and large behavioral challenges and I can guarantee that I’m 100% dedicated to helping you.  I look forward to talking to you soon and meeting your “Naughty Dog”, no matter how naughty they may be!

In my spare time…
I enjoy competing with my own dogs in conformation (think Westminster), obedience and agility.  I’ve had two therapy dogs through Therapy Dog International and enjoyed visting with my dogs and educating folks about all things dog related.  

My husband is a chiropractor and I do the marketing and website for his business.  Together we have 3 rambunctious boys and a young daughter that likes to keep us on our toes.  I am owned by four dogs and 2 cats.  As a family, besides dog activities, we enjoy biking, hiking, rock climbing and pretty much doing anything outdoors!

Professional Affiliations and other Note-worthies

–Certified Professional Dog Trainer since 2006
–AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator since 2006
-Member of The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America since 2007

Education
Youngstown State: Bachelors of Science Major-Biology, Minor-Psychology and Chemistry
Youngstown State: Masters of Science focus Molecular Biology
Wright State: M.B.A. dual Majors-Marketing and Management, Innovation and Change