Your Dog Trainers:

Matt Schimsky, CPDT, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). He is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and a member of the Pet Professional Guild (The Association for Force Free Pet Professionals).  Matt is also an official mentor for the students of CATCH Canine Trainers Academy.

Matt is passionate about humane training methods grounded in behavioral science. He offers a hands-on, supportive coaching approach to training and behavior modification programs. You can see what Tuff Pup Training alumni have said about Matt on our testimonials page.

Matt does in-home private training sessions with over 20 dogs each week.

Matt graduated from Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY) and now lives in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife Lauren, his sons Owen and Leo, his two dogs (Molly and Zuko), and three cats (Eleanore Wheezlebottoms, George Bailey, and Detective Tutuola). Matt’s newest pup is Gus. You can follow Gus’s learning process on Gus’s Instagram page.

Sami Teich, CTC, is a certified professional dog trainer. Sami is a graduate with honors from  The Academy for Dog Trainers, a world-class, graduate-level dog trainer program founded and run by Jean Donaldson (author of The Culture Clash). Sami holds a Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC), as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Rutgers University. Sami has also completed the Masters Course in Aggression In Dogs by Michael Shikashio, CDBC.

Sami first cultivated skills as a trainer while volunteering at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, a premier research and educational facility dedicated to producing elite scent-detection dogs. While there, Sami learned first-hand the power of positive training methods, structured training plans, and dynamic canine enrichment. Sami assisted dogs at the facility in training for agility and scent detection, as well as search and rescue training. 

Sami is also a member of the Pet Professional Guild and through Tuff Pup Training, Sami offers personalized coaching programs to help dog owners work through a wide variety of behavior problems and training goals. She brings an infectious enthusiasm and patient attention to every session.

Sami lives in South Philly with her dogs Kali and Coconut. When she isn’t training, she enjoys going on hikes with her dogs, running, and exploring new restaurants in the city.

Audrey Culp, CPDT is an honors graduate of Animal Behavior College’s Dog training program (ABCDT) and earned her CPDT-KA from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in 2015. Audrey got her start in dog training at the PSPCA in 2007 where she interned and assisted with training classes under two different training directors, gaining the experience needed to be the lead trainer from 2011 thru 2018. Audrey continues to provide education, develop curriculums, and consult with local dog rescues, fosters, and shelters.

Audrey has a deep love of teaching and is well known for her expertise in leading group classes, private lessons, and designing programming. Audrey is passionate about developing realistic training protocols to help dogs through issues of reactivity, aggression, and separation anxiety.

Audrey strives to have her clients feeling the joy of dog training, allowing it to help build confidence and strengthen the dog-human bond. Whether it is in the heart of the city or romping through the Wissahickon, Audrey is passionate about giving her clients the tools they need to keep their dogs happily at their sides. Audrey lives in the Germantown section of Philly with her husband Jay, her daughter Margot, and her two rescue dogs, Philo and Tuki.

Leo Dowd, CPDT-KA, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Leo is also a Catch Canine Trainer's Academy graduate where he earned a Certificate in Dog Training and Behavior. Through his previous work as a dog walker since 2015, Leo has worked with a wide range of canine breeds, temperaments, and behavioral issues. Leo cultivated his interest in dog behavior through volunteering with Saved Me Rescue and while working as a dog handler for dog daycares in the Philadelphia area. He refined his canine handling skills and training methods through mentorship with Tuff Pup Training. Leo is excited to coach and support Philly dog families as they train and raise their family dogs. Leo is passionate about helping reactive dogs to cope, puppies to thrive, and fearful dogs to navigate the overwhelming city environment.

Like many people, Leo's first impression of dog training meant harsh corrections and dominance theory. Through his work with rescues and daycares, Leo began to see firsthand how humane and positive reinforcement-based methods put dogs in a cooperative, learning state of mind. It created less stressful relationships for everyone and it sparked his desire to learn as much as possible about dog training, management, and enrichment.

He lives in South Philly with his two dogs Romeo and Nutmeg. When he's not training; he enjoys trying all of the different coffee shops, discovering different restaurants, and exploring all the nature Philly has to offer with his dogs and friends.

Social Media:

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