our certified dog trainers

Sean Savage, CPDT
BS, Wildlife Management

Sean is a co-owner and trainer of Canine Curriculum. He is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Sean graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management. Sean has a number of years of experience working and training different animals from dogs to marine mammals. Growing up, Sean raised and trained Jack Russell Terriers and Labrador Retrievers.

Sean spent five years in South Florida training dogs, dolphins, and sea lions. He worked at Dolphins Plus where he trained Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and California Sea Lions. Sean worked with Island Dolphin Care, a non-for-profit organization that does therapy with dolphins and special needs children from around the world. Sean was also an active member of Marine Mammal Conservancy, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick and injured marine mammals back into the wild. After working with dolphins, Sean continued training dogs full-time.

Sean now lives in the Kansas City area where he founded Canine Curriculum over 3 years ago. On a daily basis Sean helps owners and dogs alike to communicate and understand one another better and in turn have a better quality of life.  He also is an active wildlife rehabilitator at Lakeside Nature Center.  Sean has an American Bulldog, a Newfoundland, two cats, and a Sulcata Tortoise. Harvey, his American Bulldog is presently training for weight pulling competition.

Kristyn Echterling, CPDT
BA, Biology

Kristyn is a co-owner of Canine Curriculum, as well as a dog trainer. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Growing up, Kristyn raised and trained Golden Retrievers. She began training Quarter and Draft horses in high school and continued into college. She attended the University of Missouri where she graduated with a degree in Biology. Upon graduation Kristyn moved to Key Largo, Florida where she trained dolphins. While in South Florida, Kristyn began training dogs full-time.

Kristyn currently lives in the Kansas City area where she continues to assist owners in building healthy, fulfilling relationships with their dog. She is currently working toward her PhD in Behavior Analysis in order to become an Applied Animal Behaviorist.  She owns a Newfoundland, an American Bulldog, two cats, and a Sulcata Tortoise.  Kristyn participates in water rescue with her Newfoundland, Bailey. In the winter months, Kristyn and Bailey hope to participate in their newest endeavor, skijoring.

See also: Testimonials