Phone: 206-706-4875

Address:
BALLARD: 6733 15th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117

BURIEN TRAINING CENTER: 15227 Ambaum Ave SW
Burien, WA 98166

Our Training Philosophy:
At DDO, we follow a scientific, evidence-based approach to training that is Cooperative, Effective, and Fun! We focus on fear-free methods, providing clients with a variety of gentle, kind, and fair techniques to work with their dogs. We do not use leash “corrections” or aversive tools like prong or shock collars. Our goal is to help humans understand how their dogs think, learn, and meet their natural behavioral needs, ensuring both dogs and humans can live happily and peacefully together.

Our Day Care Philosophy:
Healthy, happy dogs need social interaction, stimulation (mental and physical) and guidance. Dog’s Day Out is a comprehensive training and day care facility providing training, exercise, safe socialization and a specialized small day care with a strong emphasis on educating both the human, and the canine companion.

For behavioral and training inquiries contact: Danette@dogsdayoutseattle.com
For day care scheduling contact: Drew@dogsdayoutseattle.com

  Danette Johnston, Owner, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) Trainer and Fear Free Coach, and a Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM). Prior to becoming a dog trainer and behavior consultant, she worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) in the state of Washington. Danette has over 25 years of experience  working with dogs and their humans starting shelters and animal hospitals prior to opening Dog’s Day Out in 2000. She has published articles on dog day care and dog-dog interactions for The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She has lectured on dog behavior to Veterinary Technicians and students at the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians conference. Danette is a Licensed Canine Good Citizen and Tricks evaluator for the AKC and worked as a Delta Society Pet Partner’s (animal assisted therapy) Instructor and Team (with her dear departed dog Georgia). She is a Be a Tree presenter for Doggone Safe teaching bite prevention to school age children and is the creator/instructor of Barks & Babes, a specialized class for expecting parents on how to prepare their dog for the family’s upcoming human addition.  Danette started a Shelter Training Program in which she works with shelter and rescue groups educating staff and volunteers working to improve the lives of shelter animals and to innovate modern sheltering. Danette is passionate about learning and continuing education. She attends conferences, workshops and seminars on a regular basis to keep up on advances in canine science and behavior. She has attended seminars by: Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Susan Friedman, Chiraq Patel, Ken Ramirez, Victoria Stilwell, Pat Miller, Emily Larlham and Ken McCort among others.  Currently Danette lectures in person and via webinar on a variety of topics and teaches group classes: The Basics (in-person and virtually for dogs and their humans anywhere!), Beyond Basics, Teens & Tweens and Reactive ReDo  at DDO as well as virtual and in-person private behavior consultations and lessons. Her private behavioral consultations and training  cover a variety of issues including: fearful, reactive and aggressive behaviors as well dog-human (children/baby) dynamics in the home. Danette shares her home with Ernie, a brown tabby with many extra toes, one human teenager, and a very tolerant husband. After losing her beloved Border Collie/Pitbull mix, Rufus to lymphoma, she and her family have now downsized and gone a totally different direction by adopting Boogie, a 20 pound fluffy mop-dog.

Cynthia Howell, CPDT-KA, CCS, FDM, Puppy Play & Train, Teens Play Groups, Puppy & Teen Training Camp Lead, Basics Instructor
Cyn is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Family Dog Mediator and an alumni of the NW School of Canine Studies where she graduated in the fall of 2018, earning her CCS designation. Along with rescue and volunteer work, Cyn has worked with dogs for over 15 years in a variety of capacities including day care, dog walking and health insurance. She currently  lives with a naughty French Bulldog and offers private training through her company Diamond Dogs.

Keiko Swanberg, CPDT-KA, CCUI, Fun-Gility and Play & Train Instructor/Sub
Keiko is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), and a licensed AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator.  After working with many top professional trainers and being an assistant trainer for 7 years, Keiko left the corporate world and started her own business, Zen Dog Seattle LLC. She offers various group classes as well as private lessons through her business. Keiko moved from Japan in 2000 and has been a long-time shelter/rescue volunteer and foster parent ever since. She shares her house with her husband, adopted dogs, cats, and often with foster animals from shelters.

Sugako Sasaki, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FDM, FFCT, Training Games for Focus & Fun, Cooperative Care & Handling, Speciality Workshops, Takin’ It To The Streets, CGC and Puppy & Teen Camp Instructor
Sugako’s background is Canine Behavior Analysis and Counseling and Animal Assisted Therapy. Sugako is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and is a former certified behavior therapist (CBT) and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for children with autism and worked closely with board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) to gain in-depth knowledge and experience of applied behavior analysis. She decided to become a full-time dog trainer to focus on dog’s behavior modification training and service dog training. Sugako is a team facilitator of Atlas Assistant Dog and a Fear Free certified professional trainer. She is fluent in Japanese and offers private sessions through her business, Happy Stretch Dog Training. She loves dogs and cats.

Kaylee Seal, Nosework Instructor
Kaylee  is currently an Associate Nosework Instructor (ANWI) and working towards certification with the NACSW. Kaylee is an active member of the Northwest Bearded Collie Club of Puget Sound, Bearded Collie Club of America, Northwest K9 Sniffers, and has titled dogs in conformation, obedience, nosework, rally, herding, and tricks. 

Drew McKeen, FDM, CFFP , Day Care Manager