Get to know your trainers.
A two woman team bringing their passions, strengths, and education together to help dogs and their people.

Meghan Burton
Owner, Head Trainer
- B.A. in Psychology from McDaniel College, 2008
- Immediately started working at a national chain pet store as a dog trainer
- Started working as an assistant to local trainer, Laurie Luck, owner of Smart Dog University, in March 2009
- Started Canine Lifestyle Academy in 2010
- Passed her CPDT-KA exam in 2012
- Member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
Recent Continuing Education Includes:
- Dr. Ken Ramirez, “Advanced Training Topics” March 2016
- Dr. Lore Haug, “How Health Impacts Behavior” May 2017
- Mid-Atlantic Animal Behavior Conference, April 2018
- ClickerExpo, Washington, DC, March 2019
- Mid-Atlantic Animal Behavior Conference, May 2019
- Sue Sternberg, “Managing Dog-Dog Interaction” June 2019
Like most people who end up as dog trainers, Meghan really dove head first in to the profession after bringing home Kyra, a 7 week old German Shepherd puppy, who would ultimately be the catalyst for everything that Canine Lifestyle Academy has become. Kyra struggled with separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and noise sensitivity, and required Meghan to get acquainted with the world of behavior modification!
In addition to being a lifelong German Shepherd lover, Meghan has a soft spot for pit bull type dogs. She volunteered her time as a trainer for local pit bull rescue, Jasmine’s House, and ran the rescue for a year when the director took time off after having a child. While working with Jasmine’s House, Meghan brought home Grant, a black and white pit bull who is the best helper dog a trainer could ask for.
Sadly, in 2017, Meghan lost both of her German Shepherds to cancer. With a Shepherd sized hole in her heart, she was finally able to bring a new baby home in June of 2018, a little sable girl from Blackthorn Working German Shepherds, Blackthorn’s Queen Yalena – but around here, she goes by Dutch.
In addition to her canine kids, Meghan has a human child, Kaily, as well as husband, Paul.
Bethany Poese
Trainer
KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA

- Started as an intern with CLA in 2016
- Became an assistant trainer and admin assistant in 2017
- Passed the CPDT-KA exam in September 2019
- Graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy – Dog Trainer Professional program in March 2020
Recent Continuing Education Includes:
- Dr. Ken Ramirez, “Advanced Training Topics” March 2016
- Suzanne Clothier, “Working with Fearful, Anxious, and Reactive Dogs” October 2016
- Malena DeMartini Price, “Separation Anxiety: Mission Possible” April 2017
- Mid-Atlantic Animal Behavior Conference, April 2018
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Training Camp, May 2018
- ClickerExpo, Washington DC, March 2019
- Mid-Atlantic Animal Behavior Conference, May 2019
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Training Camp, June 2019
- Sue Sternberg, “Managing Dog-Dog Interaction” June 2019
After growing up with relatively easy English Springer Spaniels, Bethany got the training bug after adopting Juno, an adolescent pit bull, in 2013. After trying the traditional methods recommended by the rescue – and having little success – while still clicker training at home, she decided to throw in the towel with the aversive tools and cross over completely. Because Juno was leash reactive, finding the right class was key, and this search led her to Canine Lifestyle Academy. With outdoor classes, room to move, and a flexible schedule, they were set up for success.
When Meghan announced she was accepting interns, Bethany jumped at the opportunity.
She added Cocker Spaniel mix, Maxwell, to the household in 2016, who is training for agility, in addition to continuing work on his separation anxiety and reactivity.
Bethany, who struggles with anxiety herself, has a soft spot for the sensitive dogs who don’t have the words to verbalize their feelings, and for their people who often feel frustrated and disappointed.


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Positive Reinforcement Training for Central Maryland: serving Frederick, New Market, Union Bridge, Mt. Airy, Libertytown, Sykesville, Eldersburg, and Westminster.
Home
About Us
Services
Contact Us
Positive Reinforcement Training for Central Maryland: serving Frederick, New Market, Union Bridge, Mt. Airy, Libertytown, Sykesville, Eldersburg, and Westminster.