Driftwood Dog Co is built on one standard: consistency, structure, and real handling experience. We're a two-handler team—partners in training and at home—working with a small number of dogs so every client gets consistent, informed care.
Calm, decisive, and tuned to the dog in front of him.
Christopher brings three decades of hands-on handling and training across breeds and environments, grounded in practical methods including STS K9, Robert Cabral, Leerburg, and French Ring.
Trainer Profile - Christopher
Focus Areas Puppy development & early structure In-home habitat training (day-to-day living) Clear communication, boundaries, consistency Breeds American Staffordshire Terriers, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Beaucerons, Chihuahuas Background Raised in Hansville, WA (born Fairbanks, AK) with years near Port Townsend. Off the Clock Joring with Daciana, mountain biking, and leading sales & maintenance at Bainbridge Bike Co.
Observant, steady, and great at getting dogs to engage and think.
Melissa focuses on reinforcement in real-life environments—making training stick. She excels with high-drive dogs that need structure, engagement, and follow-through.
Handler Profile - Melissa
Focus Areas Reinforcement across walks and care. Large & high-drive breeds Mental engagement & structured routines Also manages all business ops and marketing - whew! Strengths Strong with dogs that need to think, thrive on clear expectations, and benefit from steady, confident handling. Background Originally from Iowa; time in Phoenix, Belfast, and Denver before Seattle/PNW. Outside Driftwood Dogs, she runs operations for service businesses as owner of Get Goalz.
We operate as a two-handler team, not a rotating service. Every interaction is intentional, structured, and consistent—because that's what dogs actually need.
Every walk reinforces behavior—it doesn't undo it. We treat each outing as an extension of your dog's training, not just exercise.
We keep owners informed and aligned. You'll always know what we're working on and how your dog is responding.
We're not built for volume. We maintain a small, intentional client roster so every dog gets the quality attention they deserve.
This work is personal. Every dog we take on is a commitment—to show up, handle them properly, and improve their day, not just fill time.
We pay attention to how your dog moves, thinks, and responds—adjusting our approach to what they actually need in the moment.
We reinforce what you're building at home. Our handling is an extension of your training, not a separate experience that confuses your dog.
Every single time. No shortcuts, no autopilot. Your dog deserves more than a walk—they deserve to be handled well.
We share our home with our Dutch Shepherd, Daciana, and our Pixiebob cat, Thor. Animals aren't just part of the work—they're part of how we live.
Dutch Shepherd. Our constant companion, joring partner, and the heartbeat of Driftwood Dog Co.
Pixiebob cat. Holds down the home base with characteristic feline authority. He's leashed trained, loves midnight walks and is our resident breakfast alarm.
Our home base on the Kitsap Peninsula—where the PNW lifestyle and our love of animals come together every day.
Have questions or want to see if we're a fit? We'd love to hear about your dog and what you're working toward.
Driftwood Dogs provides professional dog walking, homesitting and in-home training services across Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap. We focus on consistent, route-based walks that keep your dog on a routine you can count on.
Professional Dog Walking & In-Home Training