Tracy and her Dalmatian Heiki
Tracy Atkins, CDT, CDTA, PDTI

Tracy Atkins, CDT, CDTA, PDTI has been training dogs since 1989 when she volunteered for a local animal shelter. She pulled a variety dogs from the shelter to her home for weekends and trained them in basic skills like sit, down, come and house manners, making them more easily adoptable. As time progressed and her skill increased, she was able to rehabilitate, retrain and re-home other unwanted dogs. This was a formative time for Tracy to learn about different breeds, and types of dogs, allowing her to see dogs as "types", but also as individuals.

Tracy honed her craft in professional dog training with Guide Dogs of Texas, GDT (formerly Southwestern Guide Dogs) starting in 1990. There she offered her skills as a Puppy Walker, Puppy Walker Supervisor (where she trained under a NADOI, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors member), Dallas/Fort Worth Volunteer Coordinator and Guide Dog Puppy Evaluator until 1994. She continued to serve as a lecturer and Combined Federal Campaign Fund Raising speaker for GDT.

In 1994 she founded K-9 Solutions at her small, rural facility outside of McKinney, Texas. In 1997 she opened Complete Canine Training, Inc. in McKinney, TX. At the nearly 5000 square foot indoor facilty, during group puppy kindergarten classes, basic dog obedience classes, intermediate dog obedience group classes, advanced dog training classes, private dog training and board and train services, she assisted dogs and owners in gaining skills to deal with every problems from obedience to general manners to serious dog aggression.

In 2007 Tracy and Complete Canine Training, LLC relocated to Spring, TX, a suburb of Houston, TX where Tracy continued with Private Training, Lectures and Board and Train Services.

In 2019 Complete Canine Training, LLC was rebranded to "YESPUP Real. Simple. Training." to reflect Tracy's practical, easy, methods for pet owners and professional.

Tracy applies a wholistic approach to problem solving. Using eclectic techniques, knowledge and experience, she is able to direct appropriate and complementary training regimes for each individual dog and owner. She believes that the art of dog training lays in the advanced science of behavior. But because the science of dogs is still in its infancy, she uses her three decades of experience training many types of dogs and people to achieve success with her REAL. SIMPLE. TRAINING. Programs.

With over 10,000 owners and dogs trained, her vast list of clients include professional athletes, entertainment producers, children's television creators, prominent business people, veterinarians, retired couples, veterans, public servants, stay-at-home parents and everyone in-between. Tracy is respected by her clients due to her ability to identify and explain behavioral and developmental issues. Her focused, fun, clear manner makes it easy to follow her program to achieve rapid results.

She was a guest lecturer for the Psychology Department of the prestigious Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, instructing students of both human and animal behavior the practical application of operant conditioning.

Her specialties include, but are not limited to, problem behavior evaluation and training solutions; resolving behavior problems stemming from health issues; and dog training for new parents and parents to be.

She is a Member of the Board of Directors and an Ambassador for International Association of Canine Professionals, IACP. She maintains continuing education units for her certifications.

Tracy's IACP Certifications:

CDT - Certified Dog Trainer
The CDT requires detailed documentation on the progression of the trainer's curriculum, as well as the completion of client satisfaction forms and letters of professional reference. The passing of the CDT Exam also provides recognition and approval from peer professionals within the organization.

CDTA - Certified Dog Trainer - Advanced
Advanced exam allows judges to observe, review, and evaluate the applicants practical training skills, and especially the ability to work a dog through basic level training concepts. Applicants must already be an IACP Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) for one year and must have at least 5 years experience as a professional dog trainer.

PDTI - Professional Dog Training Instructor
The Professional Dog Training Instructor exam allows judges to observe, review, and evaluate the applicants dog training instruction skills. It judges the applicants ability to instruct and teach human clients how to train their dogs.

Tracy attends a varried training and behavior seminars, typically maintaining at least 30 hours of continuing education annually. She adheres to both a Breeders Code of Ethics as well as a Trainers Code of Conduct.

She has been a member in good standing of the American Belgian Malinois Club and Southern States Rottweiler Rescue. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Dallas/Fort Worth Rottweiler Club, as well as consulted for and assisted Dallas, TX and Lancaster, PA, Houston, TX area dog rescue clubs, shelters and organizations with dog training and evaluations.

She is a certified lecturer for the STOP THE 77, an educational program for children and adults. The program teaches children to be respectful of dogs, in particular, known dogs (the 77% of dogs who injure children). Tracy offers the instructional program at no charge to all school, libraries and non-profits.

She continues to offer lectures speaking about Dog Aggression, Avoiding Dog Bites, Equipment Use and Misuse, New Pet Selection, House Soiling Prevention, Puppy Handling and Training and Solving Behavior Problems to humane and rescue organizations, dog training clubs and veterinary hospitals.

In 2019 Tracy became certified in both Salon Sanitation through Barkleigh and the AKC Safety in the Salon Program. She uses these techniques and policies to keep her facility clean and sanitized.

Married to her sweetheart Bob since 1990. She has a high school age son, and middle school age daughter. Both children are avid dog lovers and both helped train their Golden Retriever, Mabel to become a working therapy dog. www.mydogmabel.com

Tracy's three best dog friends are Redie, Willing and Mabel. Tracy seeks to teach each owner the joy of a well trained, well mannered best friend.

Breeds Tracy has worked with - Is your dog on this list?

Tracy's Professional Witness Resume