My name is Erika Hall and I am the owner of Strutt Your Mutt.  I was born and raised in Oregon where I graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Sociology and Political Science.  My passion for dog training started when my dog Penny started getting into fights with certain dogs in addition to having extreme car anxiety.  I desperately wanted to help her get over her behaviors, so I started studying dog psychology.  I chose to focus my studies on figures like Cesar Millan and The Monks of New Skeet.  As my knowledge grew and Penny's behaviors improved, I decided I was going to rescue another dog about a year later.  That's when I adopted Teak from Roice Hurst Humane Society.  She struggled with many fears and anxieties that stemmed from a lack of socialization and exercise.  Surprised by how quickly I turned Teak's behaviors around, I started to get a burning desire to help as many dogs as possible.  At that point, I was positive I was born to work with dogs, so I opened Strutt Your Mutt in 2012.  
Over the next four years of business, I had to work overtime to get my name out into the public and build my skills as a reputable dog trainer.  With no formal training and only the information I taught myself, I had to rely strictly on experience and practice to build my skills and talents.  Penny and Teak stood by my side every step of the way helping me to rehabilitate dog after dog.  It wasn't until 2016 that I hit a road block.  I felt there wasn't much more that I could teach myself as a dog trainer so I sought out professional guidance to further my knowledge.  With much enthusiasm, I enrolled in the Lucas Agnew training workshop in California.  Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew, who ran the workshop, gave me a whole new perspective on dog training.  The workshops not only expanded my knowledge of how to create a closer bond and a stronger foundation with any type of dog, it also taught me more effective training strategies to help my client's build a healthy relationship with their own dogs.  
My passion to share my knowledge, skills, and expertise with all types of dogs and dog owners is stronger than ever.  My personal goal is to keep an open mind in the world of dog training.  Each individual dog has its own personality, environmental circumstances, and behavioral issues which ultimately means each individual is its own puzzle to be solved.  I believe if I keep an open mind, I will more clearly see the spirit of each individual dog, and I will be more receptive to the knowledge and lessons the dogs are here to teach me.  In the end, an open mind will only make me a better, more well-rounded leader for all dogs and dog owners.

My name is Hilary Briggs and I was raised in the Grand Valley.  I graduated with a Bachelors in Biology from Colorado State University.  I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do once I graduated so I stuck with the communications job I already had while I was attending CSU.  I spent a total of three years immersed in a job that wasn't fulfilling me.  I knew I had more to offer to both myself and this world.  I had always had a passion for dogs and thought I would look into pursuing a career working with animals.  
In the fall of 2017, I decided to start shadowing different trainers around the Grand Valley.  When I first started shadowing under my boss Erika, I immediately fell in love with Strutt Your Mutt's style of training as well as having a career in dogs training.  I spent four months shadowing under Erika when she asked me if I wanted to work for her.  I jumped at the opportunity and have been working for Strutt Your Mutt since March of 2018.  In my short time working under Erika, I have learned more than I ever could have imagined.
In addition to being a dog trainer, I have been a Barre instructor at ROKbarre in downtown Grand Junction for two years.  Barre focuses on your mind body connection and it has helped me find center and balance in my own mind and body.  I believe Barre has helped me transition into working with dogs.  Each day at work offers a new dog and a new lesson that requires me to focus on both my mind and body.
​With Erika as my mentor, I am not only working on my skills as a dog trainer but growing as a person.  I have attended the Lucas Agnew Workshop and learned under Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew.  I hope to always be growing as a dog handler and learning from each dog I work with.  When working with clients, I will always be an advocate for the dog and hope to bring balance to both people and their dogs.