My name is Erika Hall, and I’m the owner of Strutt Your Mutt. I was born and raised in Oregon and earned my Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Oregon.
My passion for dog training began with my own two dogs who struggled with fears, anxieties and aggression. I learned from influential figures such as Cesar Millan, The Monks of New Skete, Cheri Lucas, Brian Agnew, and Marc Goldberg. Watching my personal dogs behavioral transformation unfold so quickly lit a fire in me—I realized this was more than a personal interest; it was my calling.
In late 2011, I opened Strutt Your Mutt with a mission to help as many dogs as possible overcome their struggles and live happier, freer lives alongside their families. For almost 15 years, I have worked in the world of dog psychology and training, committed to helping people better understand their canine companions. Along the way, I mastered traditional approaches, studied the theories, and spent countless hours applying what the industry said was “the way.”
But experience has a way of teaching what textbooks can’t. Over time, I began to see cracks in those methods—dogs who weren’t thriving, owners who were still living in constant management mode, and relationships that felt more like control than connection. That realization changed everything. I sought out trainers like Ivan Balabanov and Dylan Jones who gave me a whole new lens on dog training and have allowed me to take an approach that is more effective, more fun, more efficient, and more satisfying to both my human and canine clients.
Today, I have completely transformed the way I train, building a practice rooted in a play and adventure based approach. This model goes beyond simply managing unwanted behaviors—it dissolves them altogether, creating space for joy, trust, and genuine partnership between people and their dogs. The results speak for themselves: dogs that are more balanced and fulfilled, and owners who finally get to enjoy life with their companions without fear, management, or restriction.
With passion, experience, and a willingness to challenge outdated methods, I’m on a mission to show dogs and their humans what’s possible when training is built on play, freedom, and genuine connection—without the constant worry of unwanted behaviors.
My passion for dog training began with my own two dogs who struggled with fears, anxieties and aggression. I learned from influential figures such as Cesar Millan, The Monks of New Skete, Cheri Lucas, Brian Agnew, and Marc Goldberg. Watching my personal dogs behavioral transformation unfold so quickly lit a fire in me—I realized this was more than a personal interest; it was my calling.
In late 2011, I opened Strutt Your Mutt with a mission to help as many dogs as possible overcome their struggles and live happier, freer lives alongside their families. For almost 15 years, I have worked in the world of dog psychology and training, committed to helping people better understand their canine companions. Along the way, I mastered traditional approaches, studied the theories, and spent countless hours applying what the industry said was “the way.”
But experience has a way of teaching what textbooks can’t. Over time, I began to see cracks in those methods—dogs who weren’t thriving, owners who were still living in constant management mode, and relationships that felt more like control than connection. That realization changed everything. I sought out trainers like Ivan Balabanov and Dylan Jones who gave me a whole new lens on dog training and have allowed me to take an approach that is more effective, more fun, more efficient, and more satisfying to both my human and canine clients.
Today, I have completely transformed the way I train, building a practice rooted in a play and adventure based approach. This model goes beyond simply managing unwanted behaviors—it dissolves them altogether, creating space for joy, trust, and genuine partnership between people and their dogs. The results speak for themselves: dogs that are more balanced and fulfilled, and owners who finally get to enjoy life with their companions without fear, management, or restriction.
With passion, experience, and a willingness to challenge outdated methods, I’m on a mission to show dogs and their humans what’s possible when training is built on play, freedom, and genuine connection—without the constant worry of unwanted behaviors.