Dana Nelson has been training dogs for over 25 years and teaching people to train their dogs using reward-based methods for over 20 years. She teaches all levels of training, from puppy kindergarten and socialization classes to advanced off lead training classes. Her first love affair with training started when she was the age of eight with a lovely 9 month old Great Dane puppy named "Tasha." Through the years she has been priviledged to share her life, heart and home with a Beagle Terrier mix named Shargo, a Doberman Pinscher named Raven and an All - American Border Collie mix named Champ. Her teaching career began with a Golden Retriever puppy named Jasper (a.k.a. Jazz) and to this day he is the inspiration of Affinity Dog Training's teaching and training philosophy. Cameo was next in her long line of companions. Currently Dana trains, actively competes with and has titled her Golden Retrievers, Napa, Jamaica and Kaia  in various competitive performance venues - with Agility, Obedience and Rally Obedience being her main concentrations.  It is Dana's belief that the relationship between dog and owner should be based on mutual trust and respect and not fear and intimidation. A “toolbox” approach to training is taken, realizing that each dog and its human family are unique. Training methods are based on her years of experience and extensive study of various professional animal training and behavior counseling methods. Her education is ongoing and she attends seminars and workshops several times a year to stay current in today’s training technology and behavior modification. She is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), and is a 2001 graduate of Purdue University’s DOGS! Course: Principles and Techniques of Behavior Modification offered by the Animal Behavior Clinic at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Currently she is “owned” by her Golden Retrievers; Napa, Jamaica and Kaia and the most recent addition of an Australian Shepherd named Tempo.