About
I am glad you are here!
Meet Kristen Board
Kristen has been passionate about helping animals since she was a kid.
She began volunteering at her animal shelter with her mom at the young age of 13, helping to exercise and socialize shelter dogs and cats. That was only the beginning!
Kristen graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Canine Science from Bergin University of Canine Studies in 2016, and then continued on to earn a Certificate in Training in Counseling (CTC) from Jean Donaldson’s Academy for Dog Trainers in 2019. In 2021, Kristen became a Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Also in 2021, she earned her Master’s Degree in Humane Education.
Kristen has worked professionally with dogs since 2015. She trained service dogs for Veterans with disabilities at Paws for Purple Hearts for several years and later worked as the Behavior Coordinator at San Diego Humane Society, where she trained dogs and cats who were experiencing behavior issues in the shelter.
Once relocating to Indianapolis, Kristen started Perked Ears and began offering private training consults and group classes. She also worked with patients at Veterinary Behavior of Indiana as a Behavior Modification Trainer from 2021-2023.
Certifications / Degrees:
Grounded in Kindness, Backed by Science
I believe training should be both effective and fun for you and your dog. I use humane, evidence-based methods that prioritize your dog’s emotional well-being while helping you build practical skills for real-life situations.
My approach is centered on understanding behavior, not just stopping it. Together, we’ll explore the “why” behind your dog’s actions and work toward a solution that works for both you and your dog.
Most importantly: I do not believe we need to scare, intimidate, or hurt our dogs to help them behave better. True progress comes from trust, safety, and communication, rather than fear. Whether we’re addressing reactivity, anxiety, aging-related changes, or puppy manners, my goal is always the same: to help your dog feel happy with each other.
Training doesn’t have to be perfect or rigid. It should feel supportive, collaborative, and grounded in respect for both ends of the leash.
About Our Training Methods
What We Mean by Force-Free and Science-Based?
At its core, being force-free means prioritizing the emotional and physical well-being of both you and your dog. It means using training methods that are backed by science and focused on setting your dog up for success, without fear, intimidation, or pain.
We utilize on positive reinforcement because it builds trust and it provides effective long term results for both the human and dog. This approach has been consistently supported by decades of research in animal behavior and learning theory.
We do not use or recommend tools or methods that cause pain or fear, including prong collars, choke chains, shock collars, or physical punishment. These outdated approaches can damage the human-animal bond, increase stress and anxiety, and often make behavior problems worse over time.
If you’ve used these methods before and want to take a more compassionate path forward, you’re absolutely welcome here. There’s no judgment, just support, education, and a chance to work toward a healthier, more connected relationship with your dog.