ABOUT
Built from experience, shaped by adventure
The Canine Explorer grew from more than a decade of working with dogs, a professional training background, and a love of giving dogs meaningful experiences outdoors.
MEET RICKY
More than a decade spent working with dogs
I’m Ricky, a queer dog trainer in Portland with more than a decade of experience working with dogs. I’m proud to build a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people and their dogs, grounded in thoughtful care, trust, and a shared love of adventure. I hold my CPDT-KA and Fear Free Certified Professional credentials, and I use reward based methods that focus on building trust, communication, and practical skills dogs can use in everyday life.
A huge part of my approach comes from how much I love being outdoors. I use the trails, rivers, forests, and changing terrain of the Pacific Northwest as opportunities for dogs to build confidence, practice real world skills, and learn how to stay connected around distractions, both on and off leash.
Outside of work, I’m usually doing something active or exploring somewhere new. I love national parks, running, racquetball, traveling, and finding new places to eat around Portland with my partner.
MY APPROACH
Training that works in the real world.
I use reward based, force free methods that focus on trust, communication, and practical skills dogs can use in everyday life. My Fear Free certifications in both training and boarding also shape how I handle dogs, introduce new experiences, and create environments that reduce unnecessary fear, stress, and pressure.
On adventures, that means working on recall, check ins, name recognition, confidence, and responsiveness around distractions. During lodging, care is adjusted around the individual dog and what helps them feel comfortable, engaged, and successful.
RICKY + BRI
Where it started.
Bri has been my adventure partner from the beginning. Over the years, we’ve trained, traveled, hiked, explored, and taken on plenty of challenges together. She’s earned agility and trick titles, her Urban Canine Good Citizen title, and we’ve competed in K9 Gladiator obstacle races where we’ve earned first place finishes.
Those experiences have shaped a lot of how I work with dogs today. Training Bri across different environments and activities taught me the value of trust, communication, confidence, and giving dogs the freedom to explore while still staying connected.
A lot of what became The Canine Explorer grew from the years Bri and I spent learning, training, and exploring together.
Ready to get started?
Thoughtful care for dogs who love to explore