Connie studied learning theory, behavior, instructional skills, animal husbandry, training equipment, and ethology through Raising Canine School. She then began her professional dog training career by opening Strategic Paws Training in 2012 where she worked in behavior, taught private lessons, taught both in-person and online classes in pet manners, reactive rover, toy reinforcement for high-drive dogs, agility, obedience, rally, and scent work for dog enrichment. Connie is currently an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - Accredited Dog Trainer and a Licensed Family Dog Mediator in the Working Division.

Four years later Connie and her husband additionally opened Strategic Paws Boarding, a local award-winning* boarding kennel designed and operated with a focus on reducing stress in boarding dogs.

Connie consistently continues her education by attending both in-person and live on-line programs. Her past education includes learning from internationally respected leaders in the dog training and behavior industry including Ken Ramirez, Kim Brophey, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Susan Friedman, Dr. Lore Haug, Bob Bailey Sc.D, Suzanne Clothier, and Mike Shikashio.

She has studied dog sport foundation training extensively with many R+ competitors including such notables as Chad Byerly & Sarah Keegans (bite work and multiple marker system), Shade Whitesel (bite work, tracking, multiple marker system, and play), Denise Fenzi (play and obedience), Stacy Barnett (scent work), Lucy Newton (scent work theory), Sara Brueske (sport puppies and effective communication), Petra Ford (obedience).

Connie plays in various dog sports with her Chihuahua, working line German Shepherd, and working line Doberman. She has titled her dogs in agility, obedience, rally, and earned a mondioring obedience certificate.