Meet Ally & our staff
Ally Lantis | Owner, Head Trainer & Behavior Consultant
Ally Lantis' dog training journey began like many, with a very naughty dog! Working at Pet Food Express as a teenager, she got referred to an excellent positive trainer for assistance with her unruly Border Collie. Very quickly she became hooked and became his apprentice for a few years. Ally taught with him at ARF and then left for college to pursue vet school. While in Oregon studying hard, it became apparent her calling was animal behavior. She worked for various pet stores, mentored under another trainer, worked in an animal research lab, became a district trainer for a pet store chain and then started TDT in Oregon. Ally has her bachelor's degree in animal science with an emphasis on behavior. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, American Kennel Club evaluator and has titled her dogs in many dog sports (Flyball, Agility, Herding, Barn Hunt). Ally continues her education by attending cutting edge positive training seminars and workshops year round, as well as reading constantly and staying in touch with many trainers around the world, learning about complex cases. Ally has been professionally training dogs for 14 years. She has two children and three dogs.
Christine Tanner, CPDT-KA | Trainer and Behavior Consultant
Christine has been training dogs professionally since 2016. She has received her CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and is an AKC evaluator. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She has volunteered with both Pit Bull and German Shepherd rescue groups and has fostered rescue dogs. You can find Christine working with her private clients on a variety of training and behavioral issues, and teaching group classes. She continues to expand her dog knowledge by attending training conferences, online seminars, and taking classes with her own dogs. She shares her home with her West German working line German Shepherd, Lulu, and her Golden Retriever, Presto.
Rachelle Carzino | Associate Trainer
Rachelle Carzino has been training dogs professionally since 1989 with Sirius Dog Training offering puppy through adult courses in addition to K9 games and CGC prep. Rachelle had also been teaching agility classes since 2000 and has been participating in agility competitions since 1999, titling her dogs. She is a graduate of San Francisco SPCA'S Academy for Dog Trainer's earning a Certificate in Counseling (CC) and has also been an ABC mentor for many years. Rachelle continues her canine education in the realm of positive reinforcement, working with many of the "greats" such as Susan Garrett, Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, and Karen Pyror to name a few. She shares her home with her two agility titled Border Collies. You can find Rachelle teaching a range of all the classes TDT offers.
Nicole Haney, CPDT-KA | Associate Trainer
Years ago, when Nicole brought her new rescue dog to classes at Tailored, she fell in love with the results and the process of dog training. After months of taking classes and private lessons, she approached Ally and asked her to be her mentor. She began assisting and shadowing every chance she could and eventually began working at TDT. Nicole has her CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and currently teaches group classes and private lessons.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, she earned her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Philosophy from SFSU and enjoys a successful career in the insurance industry. Nicole has a passion for animal rescue - she is a board member at the Contra Costa Humane Society and a volunteer with the Humane Society of the United States.
Jessica Steidel | Associate Trainer
While working toward her undergraduate degree in psychology, Jessica joined the Santa Cruz Dog Training Club in 2012 to learn from experienced trainers the foundations of dog training and the importance of a positive relationship with one’s dog. Inspired by the theoretical knowledge she learned from her psychology degree and the hands-on experience gained piloting a training program at a doggy daycare Jessica chose to continue in school and attend Bergin University of Canine Studies. In addition to service dog training Jessica gained expertise in canine behavior and development, working in shelters, and teaching dog agility, nosework, tracking, and rally obedience. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cynology, Jessica worked at a school for autistic children and worked with staff and students to deepen the relationships and therapeutic benefits of the on-campus therapy dogs. Jessica enjoys focusing on the human-animal bond and continues her education through reading, online courses, and hands on training with her two dogs. Jessica looks forward to sharing her passion, insights, and experience with her clients.
David Christiansen | Associate Trainer
Bio coming soon…