ABOUT

About Us

Before training is started, time is spent with the owner and the dog(s), learning how the family works. By listening to the owner’s needs and the current issues, we are able to develop the most efficient and realistic way to work together. 

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    Cheryl with Alfred Finnegan "Finn" when he was a little munkin.

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    Cheryl and her fiancé  Victor 

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    Cheryl and Peg (Sofie's owner) with Sofie at a Bratty Paws Agility Trial in Punta Gorda.

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    Cheryl finishing up a successful weekend trialing Sofie in agility at Palmetto Fairgrounds. Sofie earned two  titles this weekend.

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    Finnegan's first day home!!

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    Finn's patiently waiting for his first dock diving lesson at Florida Westcoast Air Dogs.

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    Cheryl and Sofie at a Bratty Paws Agility Trial in Punta Gorda.

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    Cheryl and Tuya at St Pete Dog Club after Tuya first AKC Agility Trial.

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    Cheryl with her puppy Finn after agility training.

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    Cheryl and Victor's maltese, Fiona. Fiona crossed over the rainbow bridge in the summer of 2022.

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    Cheryl and Victor's Bichon Poo, Gizmo. He crossed over the rainbow bridge in 2019. 

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    Cheryl and her Siberian Husky Skyler. Skyler was the dog that influenced her decision to become a Dog Trainer. Skyler crossed over the rainbow bridge in the summer of 2016.


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    Cheryl and her Siberian Husky Skyler

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    Cheryl with her puppy Alfred Finnegan "Finn".

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    Cheryl and Victor's  Brittany, Alfred Finnegan "Finn". Here he was still in his velasso raptor stage.

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About Cheryl
Owner of Last Paw Dog Training
Certified Dog Trainer 
Behavior Consultant

Cheryl was certified as a Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College in 2006. She has been mentored by local Behaviorist Conni Borwick for almost 10 years, as well as mentoring several new Dog Trainers in the community. She is a CGC Evaluator for AKC. Cheryl started Last Paw in 2006 which entails teaching Private lessons, Group Classes and Behavior Evaluations. She handles all cases from Dog/Dog Aggression, Dog/Cat Aggression, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety, Leash Aggression, Grooming issues, Counter Surfing, Dumpster Diving and much more.

Experienced with rescue dogs of all ages and breeds, Cheryl works closely with several local Veterinarians to provide a support network for her clients. She has titled her dog in Competition Obedience both with a CD (Companion Dog) and RN (Rally Novice). 

In 2009 she started her 2nd business, a Day Camp for her clients dogs. This would eventually grow into Four Paws Doggie Day Camp, where she partnered with Heike Caspary to create a thriving Camp. FPDDC allows dogs to learn to exercise and socialize safely. Beginning early 2016 FPDDC is now owned and run by her former partner Heike Caspary.


Cheryl@LastPaw.com


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About Kahla

Certified Professional Dog Trainer and

Obedience Instructor CPDT-KA

Kahla has been mentored by Cheryl and working with The Last Paw since August 2019. She runs all the Group Classes and has helped build the format for the Virtual Classroom to support her students practice.


Kahla Ball is a Florida native born and raised in the Bradenton area. 

She and her husband Zach have 4 fur babies, Olivia (Great Pyrenees mix), Ellie (Yorkshire mix), Bear (Australian Cattle Dog Mix), and Kai (domestic shorthair cat). 


Dogs have always been a big part of her life, but she fell in love with formal training when she adopted her puppy Olivia in 2018. After taking puppy classes and basic obedience training, she began craving a deeper connection with Olivia and therefore started getting involved in the dog agility world. Unbeknownst to her, this choice would lead her to become a professional dog trainer. Kahla, Olivia, and Bear train/compete in agility, scent work, and Rally.


Kahla@LastPaw.com


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    Kahla and Olivia


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    Kahla and her husband Zachary enjoying a day at Disney World Animal Kingdom.

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    Kahla and Olivia at St Pete Dog Club after an AKC Agility trial. 

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    Kahla teaching Olivia to dock dive at Florida Westcoast Air Dog

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    Olivia and Ellie resting during a long walk at Robinson Preserve.


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    Ellie and Olivia resting peacefully together.

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    Kai playing hide and seek in the kitchen cabinet.

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    Cuddle time with Olivia and Kai.

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    Ellie and Olivia enjoying the sunset at Robinson Perserve.

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    Kahla and Olivia

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    Kahla and Olivia

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Our Philosophy

Why not seek out a working relationship with your dog, as opposed to dominating them into submission. It will make a huge positive influence on your relationship with your dog. If that's your goal; to improve your life and the life of your dog(s), then we can help. We believe in discipline and structure, however we do not jump to physical punishment as a first approach. Not all dogs are the same and neither are their owners. We evaluate the situation first to assure the use of the most effective methods and then proceed with training the owner alongside their dog.
We train using Positive Reinforcement methods. This includes using treats, toys, Gentle Leaders, Easy Walk Harnesses and Clickers if necessary.
​We believe in having a healthy partnership with your dog. Where you lead and they follow happily. Like any great relationship, training needs time and dedication to make it work.

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