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A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog
1-831-332-8478
About
About James Cisneros
James is fully aware of the therapeutic effects of a calm, happy dog, and desires to help the dogs he works with to become everyday therapy dogs for your household.
James Cisneros is an Animal Behavioral College (ABC) Certified Dog Trainer, trained in many different holistic approaches to dog training and exercise. He utilizes techniques best suited to each individual dog, always from a calm-assertive leadership angle, emphasizing owner participation and consistency.
After living in Los Angeles where a 3-mile trip took an hour in traffic and commuting 40 miles was the norm, James has transitioned to a 100% local-focus. He seeks to foster a client base that is within 5 miles of home and doesn’t want anyone to have to travel more, so he will refer clients from surrounding towns to other dog trainers, to help support all the dog training businesses in Gig Harbor, WA.
James was born in Colorado, but grew up in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, and worked as a coach for many years. After getting his MBA and his Dog Training Certificate, he moved back to Los Angeles and started A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog.
He has had dogs all throughout his life, and walked his friends’ dogs (Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, German shepherds, wolf-hybrids) as young as twelve years old. Loose dogs come up to him. He dreams about dogs. He admires the work of Cesar Milan and has an entire bookshelf dedicated to dog books, from all styles and approaches.
Miscellaneous: As a teen James played football, basketball, baseball, swam, and ran long and short distances. James has coached basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and swimming. He has been an elementary school athletic coach, UCSC event coordinator, and Assistant NCAA M & W Swim Coach, and has paid off his abysmal grad loans. James is an amazing cook, but don’t ask him to water your lawn, he’s a professional dog trainer for Pete’s sake.
About Sundance Valneros
Sundance is the original ADTHD dog. He lived to be twelve. Born in Discovery Bay, California (just south of S.F.) May 7th, 2008, Sundance was an AKC Certified Golden Retriever and Licenced Therapy Dog. He was a three-mile dog (his ideal running distance) and was allergic to flea bites, milk, basically everything. His favorite color was a tennis ball, his favorite song was “I’m Sexy and I Know It”. He lives on in our business, our love, and our memories.
About Minnehaha Valneros
Minnehaha was born up the Coos River on June 6th, 2013, and is an AKC Certified Golden Retriever. She eats Royal Canin breed-specific Golden Retriever kibble. She is a senior dog now and is quite mature and calm. She likes to sleep, play with Redford, walk, and get climbed on by kids.
ABOUT REDFORD
Redford joined our pack in February of 2021. He was a 3-year-old rescue in Tacoma, and we were so lucky to find him and adopt him. He was 133 lbs and pulled so much on-leash that no one could walk him. That was the perfect problem for us! He now walks on a leash quite well. He has a beautiful voice. He loves to play. He LOVES love. But please don't step on his ears; he tends to leave them on the floor a lot.