Charlotte Blake
Charlotte Blake is a certified professional dog trainer. Charlotte fell in love with animals at a young age. She took a job at a dog boarding kennel near the end of college. From feeding time to dog to dog interactions, she did it all and excelled quickly. During her time there, while 'playing' with dogs of all sizes, she began to develop a manner of handling and working cooperatively with them and their canine behaviors. In order to learn more she attended a very rigorous training program at Longmont Humane Society under Aimee Sadler.
During the training, Charlotte learned the scientific principles behind training techniques and dog psychology to modify behavior. Through a combination of classroom instruction and daily hands-on experience with various behavioral dogs, Charlotte received a full-bodied handling and training experience, unrivaled by most other dog training schools and programs throughout the country. While in training, she learned how to assess issues as well as implement appropriate tools and training protocols to modify dog behaviors. She lived in Nashville taking private clients for over a year.
In 2011, she moved to NY to take a position at Animal Farm Foundation, a nationally recognized non-profit working to secure equal treatment and opportunity for pit bull dogs. She was a member of the Care and Enrichment Team and the following year was promoted to the Behavior and Training Assistant. She implemented behavior protocols and followed up with adopters while also aiding in basic obedience training.
In 2014, she worked as the Public Training Coordinator at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation on Long Island, NY. She immediately ran large playgroups with shelter dogs, aided in getting difficult dogs though modification and ready for adoption, and held group classes for the public. Although she was enjoying her job she missed the Nashville lifestyle and relocated to Franklin, TN in June 2014. She opened Fresh Canine Training soon after.
Charlotte has taught basic obedience, puppy kindergarten, agility, therapy, and canine good citizen (CGC) classes. She is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator through the American Kennel Club. Through her classes, private lessons, and shelter work, she has worked with literally thousands of dogs, of all breeds and backgrounds.
Charlotte competes actively with her dogs.
She has 5 World Champion Dock Diving Dogs. Multiple World Finalist.
Has competed in AKC Obedience, Agility, Canine Disc, Dock Diving and more.
Abigail Hoffman
Abigail has been deeply involved in the animal care industry from an early age. Raised on a small farm in Northwest Iowa, she gained hands-on experience with livestock, including cattle, and developed a strong foundation in animal husbandry.
After high school, Abigail pursued a professional career in the equine industry. She conducted clinics, trained horses for clients, and served as a groom for a world-renowned clinician and reined cow horse trainer.
In 2023, Abigail transitioned into the canine training field, completing her education at the Kennelwood Academy for Professional Dog Trainers. Her training covered a wide range of disciplines, including pet dog training, tracking, retrieve work, agility, competitive obedience, and specific odor detection.
Abigail currently trains and competes in Protection Sports Association (PSA) events with her Belgian Malinois, and in AKC Obedience with her German Shepherd. At Fresh Canine, she specializes in remote collar training and is passionate about helping dogs gain reliable off-leash freedom.
TaTe WolF
Tate has been passionate about working with and nurturing animals for as long as she can remember. She began volunteering at an animal shelter at a young age, cultivating a deep commitment to animal welfare.
Tate has two Golden Retrievers, three horses, and two alpacas, and enjoys spending time on the farm with all of them.
Since joining Fresh Canine in 2023, Tate has focused on training dogs to become well-behaved, loving companions in their homes.
Jennifer Biggs
Jen’s introduction to dog training began as a hobby. She started volunteering at the Williamson County Animal Shelter in 2016 and continues to volunteer there regularly. She is a lead volunteer, and trains other volunteers on leash and handling skills as well as shelter protocols. Jen has attended 2 Dogs Playing For Life training programs learning how to properly assess dogs and put together daily playgroups for shelter dogs. Jen also attended the onsite shadow program at DPFL, allowing her the opportunity to work alongside the personal trainers and receive individualized coaching. Jen attended the Dog Training Workshop tour last year learning new skills from Larry Krohn and Joel Silverman.
Jen and head trainer Charlotte met at the Williamson County Animal Shelter several years ago. Charlotte trained Jen to work with reactive dogs, high arousal dogs, and dogs who were struggling in playgroup.
Jen has been working at Fresh Canine since April 2023.
Hannah hermosa
Hannah began fostering dogs with her family at the age of eight, which sparked her lifelong passion for animal care. She currently owns eight dogs and continues to foster through the Williamson County Animal Shelter and Snooty Giggles.
Her interest in dog training developed while working at the animal shelter, where she particularly enjoyed leading playgroups and helping dogs learn how to socialize appropriately. Hannah is dedicated to helping dogs adjust to their environments and thrive as well-mannered, loving companions.
Methods
Fresh Canine uses a balanced approach to training a dog. During the learning phase, we use positive reinforcement, shaping, and luring- performing several hundred repetitions of each command and exercise. After each dog learns the commands, we transition to phasing out the rewards, making the response to obedience reliable. Once a dog has mastered the commands, we proof and generalize the behavior by working under distractions.
Training is constant
Training is constant – on every walk, in every situation in and out of your house, every time you go in the car, or whenever you go to the dog park or to the woods. Chances are your dog already knows what sit, down, stay, and come mean, but might not perform the commands every time or for very long. I find that many dogs don’t even pay attention to their owners most of the time. Dogs lunging at the end of their leashes, barking at other dogs, and not listening to their owners must be trained properly. You are responsible for training your dog, and I can teach you how.
