• Darian Sampare

  Owner / Head Trainer

  My name is Darian and I started Bark Brigade after getting my second dog, Havoc. Havoc was not the dog I bargained for, he had the drive of a working dog and was too much dog for me to handle. He ended up developing severe people and dog reactivity. I couldn’t find the answers I was looking for to deal with a dog like this, so I sought out the teachings of some of the most renowned dog handlers in the world. I studied and practiced everything dog related I could for years, and along the way, Havoc has become my best friend and an incredible business partner helping me to rehabilitate countless dogs with the same issues he once had. Along this journey I came to realize that most dog trainers are simply doing it wrong, and most owners are finding management techniques and band aid solutions at best. I believe dog trainers can do better than this.
  
  The training style I sought out to develop is simple in practice, but tackles problems head on and gives ultimate clarity to the dog. I spent years formalizing how to do this, and I want to show other struggling owners how they can get real results without jumping through hoops like I had to. I strongly believe the vast majority of dogs can be off leash (and should be), and I have yet to meet a reactive or aggressive dog that cannot be helped. I don’t want to have my clients coming through a revolving door or darting around corners to avoid their dog’s triggers, I want to teach them how to be dog handlers, and live the life that I now get to with my dogs.

• Courtney Amos

  Manager

  My name is Courtney, I'll often be the first point of contact when you reach out to Bark Brigade! Dog training became a passion of mine when I got my first dog, Kiara. I was determined to give her the best life possible and make sure that she was able to enjoy all her freedoms. Throughout our training I’ve personally seen the difference and impact that it can have on your relationship with your dog. And that is what continues to drive my passion, nothing makes me happier than seeing the positive effects that training has on the human-dog relationship.

• Matayia Powell

  Dog Trainer

  My name is Matayia and I’m the junior trainer at Bark Brigade. I have always had an interest in dog training ever since I was a kid, however, I always knew that positive-only methods would never work for every dog, especially those who are stubborn or hard-headed, but I never knew there was a better way until I started learning more with Bark Brigade. This became even more clear when I brought home my second dog, Luna, who struggled with dog reactivity.
  
  I knew something had to change if she was going to live a happy and fulfilling life. I tried positive-only methods in the beginning, but they were never truly motivating for her when competing motivators were around. I believe that most dogs should have the opportunity to live an off-leash life, and it is not reasonable to expect them to stay on a six-foot leash forever. Balanced training saved my relationship with Luna and gave her the structure and clarity she always needed, which in turn gave us the freedom to enjoy life together with confidence.

• Jessica McMorran

  Operations Manager / Assistant Dog Trainer

  My name is Jessica, and I serve as the Operations Manager and Assistant Dog Trainer at Bark Brigade. While my love for dogs has always been a central part of my life, I realized early on that my true passion lies in understanding how they think, learn, and communicate. This curiosity inspired me to transition from a background in equine training to a dedicated career in the canine industry, where I apply my foundational knowledge of animal behavior to my work at Bark Brigade.
  
  ​My personal journey into professional training began with my rescue dog, Freya. Despite my best efforts, Freya struggled with structure and boundaries, often ignoring commands until I discovered the efficacy of balanced training. I wanted the confidence to take my dog anywhere, knowing I had full control regardless of the environment. Bark Brigade provided the solutions that finally worked, and I am now dedicated to helping other owners achieve that same level of confidence and freedom with their dogs.

Our Dogs

• Kiara

  Role Model Dog

  You'd be hard pressed to find many Siberian Huskies on their game more than Kiara. Kiara was our first dog and has been a huge part of making us fall in love with dog training. We were told for years that a Husky was going to be a challenging dog for a first time owner and that training off leash reliability was never going to happen with this breed.
  
  These days Kiara prefers to leave the leash at home and go out for her daily hikes through the park. She's a great role model for all of our dogs and is always willing to help out a new dog in need.

• Havoc

  Resident Success Story

  Havoc was our second dog who gave us more than we bargained for. We got him from a great breeder with the intent of finding a pet dog, but this guy has drive in him that would rival some working lines. Havoc is still the most challenging dog I have ever had to train, as he developed severe reactivity in his adolescence. He is now a great example of what can be done with a large powerful dog who's genetics make them particularly tricky.
  
  Today, Havoc helps me train dogs with the same issues he once had. Havoc taught me more than I will ever be able to thank him for when it comes to training dogs and understanding what they really need from us. Some of his favorite hobbies now include protection and obedience sports.