Lincoln
Trains Humans
Chandra O'Connor
Your Human Trainer
I have had a deep love for dogs all my life. From my first dog when I was nine years old, to my current fur babies, my passion for working with dogs has only grown. For the past nine years, I have turned that passion into my full-time profession.
Being an owner of pit bulls, I see how easily dogs are labeled and misunderstood. I believe that there is no such thing as a bad dog, just a misunderstood dog. Most dogs that get labeled "aggressive" are really just scared and need extra time and attention. During my time as a professional dog trainer, I have found a real passion for working with dogs that are labeled "aggressive" or "difficult". I specialize in dogs with behavioral issues; reactivity, phobias, and separation anxiety.
When I'm not at my doggie day job I enjoy volunteering at rescues like Best Friends Animal society and learning more about dog behavior. I have taken courses at Duke, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Colorado Boulder. I currently share my home with two rescue dogs.
Mary Todd
Your 4-Legged Trainer
Mary Todd is an American Bully mix and my big, goofy boy. He was found wandering the streets of downtown before being picked up by a local shelter. From there, he made his way to Best Friends Animal Society, where he lived the high life being fostered by a TV star while waiting for his forever home.
I had been searching for a service animal and, when I met Todd, I knew he was the one. From the moment he came home, he proved to be eager to learn, affectionate, and incredibly in tune with me. From the start, we learned from each other—alongside Lincoln—and grew into a cohesive, inseparable team.
Just like Lincoln, Todd was trained to stay focused on me, even when reactive dogs are barking and lunging in his direction. His calm and steady demeanor allows us to work as a team to help nervous or aggressive dogs build confidence and feel safe. Todd plays a crucial role in demonstrating appropriate social behavior, showing dogs that they don’t have to react with fear or frustration.
My bond with Mary Todd is special—not just because he’s an amazing dog, but because we put in the effort to build a strong, trusting relationship. That’s what I want to help you achieve with your own dog: a partnership based on understanding, patience, and teamwork. With the right guidance, you and your dog can develop the same unshakable connection.
Lincoln
In Memoriam
Lincoln was a deaf pit bull/Dalmatian mix who never saw her deafness as a limitation—if anything, she thought hearing was overrated. At two years old she was dropped off at the West Valley Shelter pregnant. Best Friends Animal Society took her in and found her a nice foster home where she could have and nurture her babies. After the babies were adopted out it was time for her to find her forever home.
So I swiped right on the single mom with the cute spots. I was looking for a service animal and I couldn't have gotten a better dog. We listened and learned from each other. We became a cohesive and inseparable team.
Early in my training career, I would bring in Lincoln to demonstrate commands in my group classes and private lessons. In one such lesson, a dog was lunging and barking at Lincoln, but because she had been trained to focus on me, we were able to help the other dog calm down. This is how Lincoln Trains Humans was born. A new approach to training where we use traditional training techniques and dog behavioral modeling to help your dog reach their training goals.
My relationship with Lincoln was special—not just because of who she was, but because of the work we put into it. She taught me patience, trust, and the power of true connection. Though she’s no longer by my side, her legacy lives on in every dog I train and every human she helped me teach.
Rest easy, Lincoln. You were the best teacher I ever had.
