Meet the Trainer
Hey Y'all, I'm Justin,
I'm a proud native Atlantan and the owner, operator and head trainer of Right Tree Dog Training. I've been helping metro Atlanta dog owners form better relationships and problem solve with their dogs for over 15 years. As the previous owner of a large dog training franchise here in Atlanta from 2010-2023, I decided to move away from the franchise model and create a dog training company that was more focused on providing excellent and individualized client care, for both pups and humans. My journey in the world of canine behavior began with a deep-seated passion and reverence for all things canine and has grown into a career dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and their owners.
Expertise & Experience
With extensive experience working with all breeds and addressing a wide range of behavioral issues, I bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to each training session. My approach is rooted in understanding and compassion, focusing on strong client communication and education to help you create lasting changes in your dog’s behavior.
My Passion
What drives me is the opportunity to help people connect with their dogs on a deeper level. I’m incredibly passionate about educating dog owners and transforming their lives by enhancing their understanding of canine behavior. My goal is to make life easier for you and better for your dog, ensuring a harmonious and happy relationship.
My Story
I have always had a deep passion for all animals and their behavior has piqued my curiosity for as long as I can remember. Dogs in particular always fascinated me. My father was an avid bird hunter so I grew up with bird dogs and going on hunts with them. I loved watching them work because it was clear they took so much pleasure in the task. To this day I get chills (and sometimes a little teary eyed) when I see a dog doing a job and living their best life. That reverence and passion for all things canine has grown into a career dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and their owners. When it was time to go to college, I found a job managing a local dog daycare and boarding facility. I had no intentions of being a canine professional at this time, so little did I know that the next 4 years were going to provide me with invaluable work experience in caring for dogs, dog behavior, and superior client service in the canine industry. Hanging out in a group of 30+ dogs every day is an excellent education in dog body language, socialization, and structured interactions.
After graduating from Georgia State University (go Panthers!), I pursued some non-canine related careers. Event management, film production, and I even spent many years as an improvisor at Whole World Theatre and The Village Theatre here in Atlanta. Those pursuits were great and I learned a lot, but something was always missing and I just wasn't fulfilled. While continuing a career search, I sought the advice of a close friend. She told me that maybe these other career paths aren't working for me because I was "barking up the wrong tree" and I needed to follow my true passion. That night I searched "how to become a dog trainer" and finally barked up the Right Tree and ventured into my canine pro career. If you haven't guessed, that's where the company name came from.
Literally days after searching I found a dog training franchise that was looking to expand into Atlanta. I picked up and moved to Charlotte and was instantly immersed in an incredibly successful and busy dog training company. For the next 7 months I learned a massive amount about dog training and dog behavior. I worked with tons of dogs of all ages, breeds, and behaviors. I am incredibly grateful for this experience as I couldn't imagine a better way to gain all the fundamental knowledge of dog training and really hone my craft before I went out on my own. In June 2010 I officially launched the franchise location in Atlanta. The business grew exponentially and over the next 13 years I hired and trained several employees and together we helped thousands of dogs and their families in Atlanta.
In that time I have also continued to grow as a trainer and business owner by furthering my education. I've learned from and worked with some of the best trainers in the world. I'm a member of multiple canine professional organizations and continue to attend as many workshops and seminars as I can. Like most pursuits, you can never stop learning and growing in the dog training industry
Which brings us to Right Tree Dog Training. Phase 2 of my career and journey as a dog training professional. Right Tree is all about the client education, experience and my continued pursuit of helping dogs live their best lives and make the lives of their owners easier. Dog training should be fun and the ultimate goal of every client should be to improve the joy and quality of life of their beloved pets.
