All J9’s K9s Trainers continue their education by regularly attending dog training and behavior seminars. They’re certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers ®, the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. This means they’ve passed a rigorous exam to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices and must pursue ongoing education to stay current in the profession in order to maintain their certification. You and your dog deserve a trainer you can trust!

We’re also lucky to have instructor’s assistants present in our classes, ensuring a great student to staff ratio. Several of these amazing dog enthusiasts have been with J9’s K9s for many years and we’re extremely grateful for them!

Scroll down for information about current J9’s K9s Trainers:

Janine PierceCPDT-KA is the owner and founder of J9’s K9s Dog Training. She’s an accomplished competitor in performance dog sports and has been training dogs professionally for over 25 years. Her innovative programs have helped countless dogs suffering with behavior issues, including severe phobias and aggression. Janine is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Pet Professional Guild, and an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator. She’s served on the boards of several training organizations and has studied with many well known trainers over the years, both here and in the U.K. Her appearances include: speaking at conferences for national veterinary and rescue associations, being featured in and writing articles for national publications, appearances on Animal Planet’s “It’s Me Or The Dog” with Victoria Stillwell, starring in a short Disney film entitled “Train Your Dog”, sharing wisdom about our canine friends on the Fine Living Channel and more. Currently you can see her on CBS’s nationally syndicated television show, “Dog Tales”.

Janine lives with her husband, Dave, and their Supermutt “Pie”.

Courtney CaseCPDT-KA has been working with dogs since 2005. A Los Angeles native, she started her career in as an employee for a small rescue organization and a grooming salon. She spent 7 years in New York City, where she worked as a dog walker and pet sitter, took multiple dog training courses and completed a trainer apprenticeship. She decided to make training her full-time job in 2012 after completing her apprenticeship and couldn’t be happier about it! Courtney is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, as well as an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator.

Courtney’s Pit Bull/Basset Hound mix “Broccoli” has been her inspiration to continue learning about dog behavior and has shown her that old dogs really can learn new tricks!

Dianna BuckCPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CSAT, has been working with dogs since 1998 and has been training with J9’s K9s since 2005. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator, and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Pet Professional Guild. Dianna has trained dogs for television and movies, has worked for the Pasadena Humane Society’s Behavior Department and X-Plorer Dog Solutions in Northern Italy, and is a certified SAFER Evaluator.

In addition to training dogs, Dianna and her husband, Scott, are always busy with their two adorable boys, Henry and Gus, their Poodles, “Edie” and “Quick”, and their talkative African Grey Parrot, “Hero”.

Hudson ShockCPDT-KA has been with J9’s K9’s since 2010. He’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild, and has trained dogs and other animals for television, movies and commercials in addition to companion dogs and those in shelters.

Hudson and his wife Molly’s Boxer mixes, “Trooper” and “BeBop”, had many on-screen parts in both television and film including “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Chihuahua: The Movie.” Their newest additions, Shepherd mix “Derby” and Boxer “Krypto”, have yet to earn their first paychecks, but “Krypto’s” future in Agility is looking very auspicious.

Amanda Posen, CPDT-KA has been training dogs professionally since 2010 and has been with J9’s K9s since 2016. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Amanda is a graduate of Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) and holds degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Management, Animal Behavior Management and Wildlife Education. She’s done extensive studio work, and has worked with special needs adults and underprivileged children at a horse rescue, too.

Amanda’s beloved Terrier mix “Eliza” is a star in her own right, appearing in various print work advertisements and many nationally syndicated television commercials!

Rusty BarnesCPDT-KA, FFCP, ANWI, has been working with dogs for more than 20 years, both professionally and as a volunteer. He’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, a Certified Fear Free Trainer, and an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator. He graduated from Animal Behavior College with honors and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Pet Professional Guild. Rusty is also a Pet Partners Therapy Dog handler.

Rusty shares his life with his Bassador (Basset Hound/Labrador Retriever mix) “Sonny”.

Melissa Goodman, CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT has been with J9’s K9s since 2017. She became hooked on dogs at a very young age, avidly pursuing education in the field of dog training ever since. She’s volunteered at various different rescue organizations and is a graduate of the renown Victoria Stilwell Academy For Dog Training & Behavior. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. She has a particular passion for puppies and loves helping new pet owners start their youngsters off on the “right paw”.

Melissa lives with her athletic Australian Shepherd “Aspen”. She spends her spare time thinking up fun new tricks for the two of them to enjoy together!

Caroline Wu, CPDT-KA has been working with dogs since 2018 and has been with J9’s K9s since 2022. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, as well as an AKC Approved Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator. Caroline loves helping dogs who are reactive and using fun games to encourage good choices through positive reinforcement.

In her free time Caroline enjoys K9 Nose Work ® training with her German Shepherd/Malinois mix “Chiron” and discovering local coffee shops with her Pomeranian “Matteo”.

Chris Mason, CNWI is has been training animals for over 30 years and ran a successful show barn on the east coast for many years, training horses and teaching their riders how to better communicate with their animal partners. In 2000, Chris retired from equestrian sports and moved back to her home state of California. She’s worked with exotic animals at the L.A. Zoo (including elephants, tapirs and rhinoceroses!) and has been training and competing in performance dog sports like agility, flyball, conformation and obedience since 1989, but her true passions are K9 Nose Work ® and Bull Terriers. Her dog “GoGo” was the first Bull Terrier in the world to achieve the Elite Level in K9 Nose Work ® trials! Chris is currently serving on the Education Committee for the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work), as well as the Performance Committee for the Bull Terrier Club of America.

Chris lives with her husband, Shaun, and her three fabulous Bull Terriers, “GoGo”, “Badger”, and “Pixie”.

Debbie Zimmerman, CAMT has been competing in Agility, K9 Nose Work and Conformation for over 23 years, but found her true passion in the sport of Treibball (Urban Herding). She’s an official judge for the PUSH Treibball Organization, a member of the National Association of Treibball Enthusiasts (NATE), the Belgian Tervuren Club of Southern California and the Golden Gate Akita Club. She’s also been a Certified Animal Massage Therapist for more than 15 years, working with canines, felines, and equines at animal events as well as in-home and barn visits.

Debbie lives, plays and competes with her Akita “Kiki”and her Belgian Tervuren “Diego”.

Certifications & Professional Affiliations