About us

Linlin

Ph.D, AKC evaluator, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed), CCUI (Certified Control Unleashed Instructor)

Linlin is passionate about helping owners to strengthen communication and bonds with their dogs through positive reinforcement training, and to live a harmony life together. With a Ph.D. degree in Material Science and Nano Engineering, Linlin has a strong passion for science. After adopting her reactive dog Niko, she became very interested in science-based dog training method and eventually became a trainer herself. Currently Linlin runs Dogtor Training and teaches online reactive dog classes at Tromplo.

Linlin specializes in fearful dog, reactive dog, and aggressive dog training. She enjoys applying her knowledge of canine behavior and the science of learning to improve the dog’s behavior and the owner and dog’s quality of life. Linlin has received full scholarship to The Aggression in Dogs Master Course. Linlin is currently going through training to become a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT) because she believes it is important to help the dog’s mind and body.

Linlin also enjoys dog sports and competes in Canine Nosework and Rally/Obedience with her dogs Niko and Sunny.

Niko

I met Niko in the Summer of 2016 when he was 6 months old. My husband moved to D.C. to start his new job while I stayed in Houston to finish my Ph.D dissertation. I went to shelter to donate cat food because our two cats, Simon and Tiffany moved to D.C. with my husband. I saw Niko there–he was sick, lethargic, and needed a foster home. The next thing I know, he was in the car with me. He has never left me since. 2 months later, we moved to D.C. to join my husband and our cats. As he matured, he started to show severe reactive behaviors.
He was one of the most serious behavior cases I worked with. But with the right training method and patience, he is getting better and better. Now he not only lives an enriched life, but does well in dog sports.
Niko loves hiking, chasing squirrels, nosework, trick training, and obedience.

Sunny

Sunny came to our lives in the summer of 2018. At 4.5 months old, he started to show concerning lameness in the front legs. It took us a long time to get the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia. He had surgery in Feb 2019 but is still undergoing treatment. He has been crate resting since 4.5 months old, meaning no play time with other dogs, no off-leash time, or long walks. But Sunny is the happiest and silliest dog I ever met. He always has a big smile on his face.
If Niko has taught me acceptance, empathy, and patience, Sunny has taught me how to enjoy the moment.

You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.

Jodi Picoult