
Meet the Trainer




Erin Taggart, M.P.S, CPT
Professional Dog Trainer | Positive Reinforcement Expert | Helping Families & Dogs Live Better Together
Hi there! I’m Erin Taggart, a positive reinforcement dog trainer based in Lakewood, Ohio. With a Master’s in Animal Science & Behavior, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and certification as a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT), I bring a deep understanding of both canine behavior and the human-animal bond. I’m passionate about helping families enjoy life with their dogs through effective, science-based training.
How I Can Help You & Your Dog
Do you love your dog but find yourself frustrated, overwhelmed, or even embarrassed by their behavior? You’re not alone. I specialize in training everyday family dogs—whether it’s stopping leash pulling, improving recall, reducing hyperactivity, curbing jumping, or teaching good manners at home and in public.
I also offer training tailored to life changes, like preparing your dog for a new baby or integrating a newly adopted dog into your family. My goal isn’t just to “fix” issues—it’s to give you peace of mind, making life with your dog easier, calmer, and more enjoyable.
My Training Philosophy
I use positive reinforcement training, a science-backed, humane approach that rewards good choices while setting clear boundaries. Just like teaching a child, training should be fair, structured, and rewarding. Positive doesn’t mean permissive—I’ll show you how to interrupt bad habits and guide your dog toward better behaviors, creating lasting results.
More About Me
Beyond working with family dogs, I have a strong passion for service dogs, animal welfare and environmental issues. I’ve volunteered at fundraising events for Canine Companions, helping provide trained service dogs to people with disabilities. I’m also an active member of Sierra Club, The ASPCA, and Humane World for Animals.
At home, I live with three wonderful rescue dogs—Phoebe, my adolescent Labrador Retriever, Pit Bull, and Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, along with Winston and Kira, a recently adopted littermate pair of German Spitz.
Let’s Get Started!
Training should fit your life, not the other way around. Whether you’re raising a puppy, navigating the challenges of an adolescent dog, or just need help making life with your dog easier, I’d love to help.
📌 Check out my FAQ page to learn more.
📩 Got questions? Let’s chat! Email me at erin@brightpaws.net
Education Highlights
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Master of Professional Science in Animal Science and Behavior, Canine and Feline Health and Care track, Unity Environmental University
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University
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Pit Bull Zen Dog Body Language Seminar, February 2016
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Dr. Ian Dunbar's SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy (4-day online seminar), November 2020
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ClickerExpo LIVE (3-day virtual conference), January 2021, January 2022
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APDT/CAPDT Virtual Conference, September 2021
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APDT/CAPDT Conference, Covington Kentucky, October 2023

Erin trained my parents' Great Dane, Zaccara. They own a breeding kennel in Cleveland and have a minimum of five dogs in the house at any given time. Zaccara was the wild child of the bunch, but since her training she is the calmest and best behaved. It'd be great to get the rest of the beasts tamed! Thanks Erin!
