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, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA | Trainer and Certified Behavior Consultant

Christine has been training dogs professionally since 2016. She has received both the CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine) and CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) certifications 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.

Christine enjoys working with her private clients on a variety of training and behavioral issues, and teaching group classes including AKC Rally and Scent Work. 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.

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

Working with animals has always been David's calling. As a neighborhood pet sitter growing up, he cared for everyone's furry friends while they were away, and his passion only grew from there. In high school, he even designed enrichment toys for the animals at the Oakland Zoo.

After earning his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon, David pursued his lifelong dream of working with dogs. Over the past six years, he has trained under the mentorship of Ally, developing his skills and becoming an experienced trainer at Tailored Dog Training.

Today, David leads a variety of group classes, puppy socials, and Mini Day School sessions, helping dogs and their owners build lasting skills and confidence. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his beloved Portuguese Water Dog, Sorin.

Imelda Rios | Office Manager

Imelda began her journey with Tailored Dog Training as a dedicated student and now proudly serves as the Office Manager. Having experienced the training process firsthand, she understands the challenges and rewards that come with building a strong relationship between dogs and their owners. She enjoys creating a welcoming environment for clients and is committed to ensuring every family feels supported from their first visit through every step of their training journey.

Outside the office, Imelda actively trains and competes with her miniature longhaired Dachshunds in a variety of dog sports, including Scent Work, Earthdog, Field Trials, Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, and AKC Conformation. She believes dog sports are an excellent way to strengthen the bond between dogs and their handlers while providing both mental and physical enrichment.

Whether she's assisting clients behind the scenes, answering questions, or celebrating training milestones, Imelda is passionate about helping dogs and their owners succeed.