The Elite Team
Have you ever wondered how you got to this point with your dog?
Thought to yourself “I’ve owned and trained dozens of dogs in my life, why can’t I figure out this one?”
Or “what have I gotten myself into with this dog!?”
At The Freckled Paw, we are committed to kindness towards both you and your dog. We understand that every dog and owner team is different and will have their own unique challenges. We pride ourselves in listening to your challenges and coming up with a plan that will help you reach your goals for your life with your dog. Let us help you navigate your challenges and come up with a plan that works!
Winner 2019 Best of Virginia Beach for Dog Training
Top Dog Trainer in Virginia Beach 2022 (3rd Place)
2024 Platinum Winner Community Votes Norfolk
Crystal Partain BaSci, CDBC, CPDT-KA
(she/her)
With almost 2 decades of hands on experience in veterinary hospitals, local shelters and rescues, Crystal has been working with pets and their people to improve their lives together in many different settings. She received a dual bachelors degrees in biology and psychology, from Old Dominion University in 2009. Clients will often joke that she is their dogs therapist during their sessions together.
In 2012, she passed the Certification for Professional Dog Trainers exam and began to train professionally shortly after. She is a perpetual student and always improving training skills with her own dogs, taking classes or attending seminars that allow her to help your dogs with the most effective and current methods!
Crystal passed her exam to become a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant in 2024. This means she completed a 4 part written exam which included case studies and submitted training plans to an internationaly accredited organization. She is among only a few collegues in the Hampton roads area who can call themselves a “Behavior Consultant.”
Crystal currently has 3 dogs, who are all continuously teaching her to be a better advocate for the dogs she works with. Opal, a rescued Boxer mix, is the namesake for The Freckled Paw. She has taught Crystal the most about living with challenging dogs, while working through her separation anxiety, stranger danger, and dog selective behaviors. We lost Opal in June of 2019, and will forever be The Freckled Paw.
Crystal sees appointments at the Chesapeake Humane Society in Chesapeake Virginia, as well as Virginia Beach Norfolk Portsmouth and Suffolk.
Paul Garnett
(he/him)
Paul began his dog‑training journey in 2007 while volunteering at a rescue center, where his passion for improving dogs’ lives quickly grew into a dedicated career. His experience spans Therapy Dog work, doggy daycare, and boarding, giving him a well‑rounded understanding of canine behavior and care.
Since relocating to the Norfolk area in 2020, Paul has been actively involved in group classes and private in‑home training, helping families build clear, lasting communication with their dogs. He lives with Fender, his lively Standard Parti Poodle who keeps every day interesting.
Keri Bagley CPDT-KA
(she/her)
Keri started her training career as one of Crystal’s clients in 2017. Her passion for dogs, and love of figuring out the behavior, quickly led Crystal to suggest Keri should consider a career in dog training. A few years later, Keri earned her CPDT-KA and is now an employee. Keri shares her home with a gaggle of misfit bully breed mixes and an Australian Shepherd. She usually has one or two in foster care for a local bully rescue. Keri is also involved in sports with her dogs and can be found running FastCAT or teaching barn hunt lessons.
Keri sees clients in Smithfield, Carrollton, Suffolk and Chesapeake Virginia.
Kiara Meister
(she/her)
As an avid dog lover and Doberman enthusiast, dog training was something she dreamed of from a young age. Her family grew up training and rehabbing a number of dogs mainly including Dobermans and so she learned a lot about basic training and teaching dogs how to be confident.
Brooklyn was her first Medical Alert service dog she ever trained and has over 35 tasks of her own. But she has trained many since her journey started and is proud of every team she has trained. Her skillset ranges from things such as psychiatric tasks for those with PTSD, Autism, and other mental health disorders all the way to medical alerts for Diabetics, POTS, and other health conditions!
She moved to Virginia in 2022 and shares a home with her partner and Aussie boy “Jack”. She touts Brooklyn and Jack to be the reason she is the trainer she has become today! She trains everything from puppies, to service dogs, to basic and advanced obedience, agility, tricks, scentwork, recall, and loose leash walking.
Please note that the dog training industry is not regulated by any type of certification or schooling. This means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, regardless of their background. Please do your research before agreeing to work with someone.
Ask questions!
How are they going to train your dog? Punishment based techniques only serve to create a fearful and anxious dog, which can create more problems down the line.
What tools are they going to use? Do you feel comfortable using these tools? If not, find a trainer that agrees with your philosophy. Harnesses, Head Collars, and Cookies are our favorite tools for training a willing and happy companion.
Who needs to be involved in the sessions? Will the trainer be teaching your pup and giving him back? This is a great option for certain behaviors and circumstances, but make sure the trainer is not using a different philosophy while you are away. Only clear instruction and compassion here at The Freckled Paw!
Why are they choosing the technique they are teaching you? Because it works doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. All dogs big and small learn the same way. Certain breeds don’t need different training techniques. Make sure you are comfortable with the way the trainer is interacting with your dog.
Just because someone says they are a dog trainer, does not mean they have the best interest of you and your dog in mind.
