About us
At The Good Dog Yorktown, we know what it’s like to feel stuck. Maybe your dog is pulling on the leash, barking at everything that moves, or jumping on guests the second they walk through the door. You’ve tried everything you can think of, but nothing seems to stick—and you’re left feeling frustrated, stressed, and unsure of what to do next.
We've been there...
That’s why we started The Good Dog Yorktown: to make training simple, effective, and accessible for everyday dog owners like you.
Our goal is to help you build a communication system with your dog that actually makes sense to them so you can coexist comfortably—whether you're hanging out at home or exploring the world together.
Our Philosophy
We're a woman-owned dog training company run by experienced dog trainers, but most importantly, passionate dog advocates.
We strongly believe in clearly communicating exactly what you want from your dog through reward-based learning and structure-based reinforcement.
Since every dog is different, this is not a one-size-fits-all training. Our training is molded and customized to fit each individual dog’s needs as well as catering to each owner’s personal capabilities and expectations. The key to dog training is consistency, therefore it is important that everyone in the home is 100% on board with the training. Because of this, we encourage you to bring any family members that are involved with training to class with you.
We focus on eliminating bad habits and encouraging the dog to make good decisions on their own by teaching the owner how to present themselves as a trustworthy leader. This method lays the foundation for a strong bond to grow between the owner and dog that will last for years to come.
Meet the Founders
I'm Katie
Owner + Trainer
I grew up in Sterling, VA and from a young age I was always drawn to dogs, even my high school senior quote read, “Be the person your dog thinks you are.”. During my time in Sterling I worked at a doggy daycare. That’s when I truly found my passion and gift for working with dogs. I then moved to Newport News to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Organismal Biology at Christopher Newport University. While attending CNU I worked at another doggy daycare, where I continued my observation of dog behavior in a pack environment.
With my love for dogs only growing, I began working as a dog trainer in the last few months of 2017 and quickly fell in love with dog training. In the summer of 2018, I graduated Magna Cum Laude at Christopher Newport with my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Organismal Biology along with a minor in Psychology.
After two years of extensive learning, researching, and hands-on-effort in my training, along with the guidance of my mentor, I was able to obtain the highly-esteemed “U.S. Certified Trainer” Professional Dog Trainer Certification through American Society of Canine Trainers in 2019. Towards the end of 2021 American Society of Canine Trainers unanimously voted to promote my certification to "U.S. Certified Master Dog Trainer".
In my free time, I go on hikes and beach trips with my three dogs, Athena, Aurora and Artie. As I continue to grow as a trainer, I solely focus on better understanding the canine psyche and helping owners feel confident and comfortable handling their dog in any situation.
& I'm Morgan
Owner + Trainer
I was born & raised in Yorktown, VA and absolutely love this area. I graduated from York High School in 2016 and then Christopher Newport University in 2020. I have always had a passion for dogs and, as a child, I always dreamed of being a dog trainer.
Obtaining my Bachelor's Degree from the Luter School of Business at CNU also led me to aspire to be an entrepreneur. Opening The Good Dog Yorktown allowed me to do both! Throughout school, even though I was always either working or in class, I always fulfilled my passion for dog training by working with dogs that belonged to friends and family. This is what solidified that dog training was what I wanted to do as a career.
I started with doing one-on-one training sessions but within the last few years found my passion in group obedience classes. I received my Master Trainer, Therapy Support Canine, and Trainer Service Canine certifications through the American Society of Canine Trainers in January of 2022. I love connecting with my clients on a personal level and getting to know their dogs like my own. Nothing makes me happier than watching the bond between owner and dog grow, while teaching both new skills and techniques.
When I’m not at work, I enjoy hiking, going to the beach, and spending time with my dog, Cooper. Nothing is more enjoyable than having a well-behaved dog to go on adventures with and my goal is to help you get there as well!
Meet our Team
I'm Emily
Trainer
I grew up mostly in Yorktown, VA and moved back to the Hampton Roads area after earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the VCU School of Business. I started walking dogs in the Spring of 2017 to make a little extra money while I was looking for a job in my field and I ended up loving it so much that I made a full-time job out of it!
Each dog I’ve worked with has aided me in learning more about what it takes to help a dog live their best life and I remain committed to doing so not just with my own dog, but with my clients’ dogs as well. As I transition from walking to training, it brings me a sense of joy and fulfillment to watch my clients work hard and succeed in their goals, particularly when it comes to confidence and bond building for both dog and handler.
I have Banner, a smart and driven golden retriever. The classes we’ve taken at The Good Dog have opened my eyes to how much a working dog like Banner is truly capable of and the enjoyment we can both get out of working together. I’ve had dogs almost all my life, but working with Banner ignited a passion for training in me. I am grateful that Katie and Morgan recognized my passion and talent and offered to mentor me.
I have learned so much under their guidance and continue to do so as I work toward my goals as a dog trainer. In my spare time, I love reading, working in my garden, stand-up paddleboarding, and taking Banner to the beach to swim and dig!
& I'm Amber
Trainer
I grew up in Pennsylvania and relocated to Newport News in August of 2024. My passion for working with dogs began in 2020 when I started assisting at my sister’s dog grooming shop. During this time, I also began dog walking and sitting, and quickly discovered how much joy I found in working with dogs. Over the course of four years working alongside my sister, I developed an increasing interest in dog behavior. This curiosity ultimately led me to pursue formal dog training education through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, where I am still enrolled.
When I found out I was moving to the Newport News area I came across The Good Dog Yorktown, whom I followed on Instagram for quite some time. I loved all of their dog training content. I saw they were looking for mentees at the end of 2023 so I sent an inquiry, and fortunately they decided to give me a chance! I have gained so much knowledge and even more of a passion for dog training from Katie, Morgan and Emily. I am truly so grateful to be a part of this training facility and I cannot wait to continue to learn and grow in this field. There is nothing I enjoy more than watching owners build a strong bond with their dog. I want to help you, as the owner, to better understand your dog so you can have that bond.
Outside of dog training, I am a powerlifting athlete which is another passion of mine! In my free time, I go on hikes and have beach days with the company of my french bulldog, Paris.
