Ralph

Founder/Owner - Alpha Dog Events & Adventures

I left teaching in the wake of the pandemic when it occurred to me that what I really wanted to do was work with, and be an advocate for, dogs. Inspired by Mattingly, I left teaching (and good money) behind, trading high school students for dogs. I got the better of that trade and am now the happiest I've ever been.

Dogs have been central to my life, first at home as a kid, and since 1987, as soon as we purchased our first home. Working with dogs is the best gig I've ever had, and I've been paid to work some good gigs (Super Bowls, World Series, NASCAR races, Final Four, etc). I thought about being a trainer, or starting a dog walking business, but I've always gravitated toward doing my own thing. The pandemic created an explosion of "pandemic puppies", and a population of dog parents that learned the hard way that a dog is not a stuffed animal. They require time, sacrifice, and effort. My job is to make that effort easier, to make it more convenient for dog parents to provide the beneficial exercise their dog needs.

I'm not a dog trainer, I'm more of a "dog coach." The training that I do is mostly for humans, with the goal of helping them help their dogs live their best life. I do this by applying the "Four Corners of Care" to everything we do for dogs...and their humans. I believe that before you hire a trainer, the question of "how much exercise does your dog get?" must be answered. Many dogs exhibit unwanted behaviors caused by pent up energy.

I've seen firsthand how regular exercise can provide a wide variety of benefits for dogs and their humans; longer life, less veterinary costs, maintaining a healthy weight, socialization opportunities, purposeful training interventions, and most importantly, the opportunity to spend quality time bonding with your dog. A great way to do that is to check out our Alpha Dog-branded events for dogs and their humans.