About Us
Julie Sharp, founder and owner of Sharp Dogs, LLC, offers in-home private
training for pet dogs in the Seattle area. Sharp Dogs works primarily with
private clients, specializing in customized training for busy people, their
family members and their dogs.
Julie is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), having completed 500+ training
hours, a comprehensive exam in both knowledge and training skills, and over 200+ hours continuing education. Also a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, she has completed Terry Ryan’s
instructor’s course “Coaching People to Train Their Dogs” at Legacy Canine in Sequim, WA and the 6-month program with the Karen Pryor Academy; she is now a Certified Training Partner in the program. Always refining her education, Julie attends seminars and workshops with noted dog trainers and certified animal behaviorists such as Dr. Ian Dunbar, Pat Miller, John Rogerson, Kathy Sdao, Nicole Wilde and Dr Ray Coppinger.
At the Seattle Animal Shelter Julie provides training services for foster dogs
with behavior challenges, including reactivity, shyness and lack of confidence.
She helped develop a 10-week educational program and trained Shelter
volunteers in canine behavior, dog body language, dog-dog interaction, leash walking techniques and calming/focusing strategies for excited shelter dogs.
As a trainer at Great Dog, a daycare and training facility in
Seattle, she developed the curriculum and taught the first-ever “Reactive to
Refined” dog class. This course focused on dogs that over react to other
dogs, people, or situations. She also developed and moderated “Small Dog Social Hour,” where small dogs and their owners could socialize while learning about dog play, their body language and small dog safety. She taught “Itsy-Bitsy,” a basic manners class for smaller dogs.
Julie enjoys exploring innovative ways to teach dogs and meet the needs of
her clients.
The Dogs At Julie’s Place
Julie’s household includes multiple rescued and foster dogs with a wide range of training needs and behavioral challenges. Her current pack includes:
Linty
A “feisty” Chihuahua mix, Linty was rescued when she was 6 months old.
Linty didn't’t like other dogs or people, yet was an absolute love with Julie.
Julie and Linty’s first class was through Sirius Puppy Training, the premier dog training school set up by Dr. Ian Dunbar, and there she and Linty experienced the power of positive, relationship based training. Julie learned that “Feisty” really meant fear and lack of confidence. Now, 11 years later, Linty is a well-socialized dog who enjoys going to classes. She is also a fan of agility and K9 Nose Work®. She has earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate and is now a retired Therapy Dog through the Delta Society.
Troupy
 An adorable male Pekinese/Pomeranian mix, Troupy was a boomerang dog at the Seattle
Animal Shelter. "Boomerang" means he originally came in as a stray and then was returned by an adopter because of behavior issues. After his return, Julie fostered him to provide basic training and care for him during recovery from much-needed eye surgery. Troupy was extremely fearful of people and most dogs; his reactions dramatic and even a bit scary. To add to the mix, he wasn't housebroken, panicked when in a crate, and couldn't be left alone due to separation anxiety. But, recognizing his potential, Julie adopted him. Participing in group classes was too stressful for Troupy, so Julie had to begin at home for him. His progress has been significant: He goes on walks, not reacting to unknown people and dogs. He enjoys his K9 Nose Work® classes, which have been great for building his confidence. And he now has a number of canine playmates, including his best friend, Linty.
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