From Sassy to Signature: My Journey, Philosophy, and Future

My Journey

I’ve always had a passion for dogs, and from a young age, I was determined to understand them. My first real experience came with my stepdad’s grumpy 8-year-old dog, Sassy. She was unpredictable and fiercely guarded her personal space—if you touched her, she bit. She would attack if you ran and even mauled a friend’s forearm badly for crossing the yard. Sassy was strict, consistent, fair, bewildering, and ruthless. Living with her taught me patience, observation, and respect. I learned to win her over by respecting her space, throwing her food like John Elway to a wide receiver, and mastering back rubs that would make her melt. Sassy was genetically miswired in many ways, but I wanted to engage with her, and she became my first true teacher.

Two moments later solidified my path. One late night, on a lonely stretch of road in the middle of Montana, I was lost in thought about my uncertain future. I was listening to a popular DC Talk album I had played hundreds of times, and after two minutes of silence at the end of a track, a hidden song started—loud and startling. At that exact moment, a deer ran across the road in front of my truck. Slamming on the brakes, adrenaline surged, and a thought hit me: DOG TRAINER. The timing was surreal, and it changed everything.

A few days later, in one of my first psychology classes at MSU Bozeman, we studied Pavlov and classical conditioning. Everything clicked, and that very day, I quit school and never returned. I found the National K9 School for Dog Trainers and enrolled in the first available class. I learned firsthand from Scott Mueller, a pioneer of assistance dog training in the 1970s, and the legendary Bob Jarvis, who is greatly missed. These two teachers provided perfect models of skill, patience, and professionalism.

Schooling, Experience, and 20 Years of Learning

This May, I celebrated 20 years since beginning formal dog training schooling. In the 10 years following, I had my son, Ryle, who often joined me in training sessions. He earned $1 for every bag he picked up and helped handle our working dog, Bruin, during sessions. He learned responsibility, observation, and patience while contributing to real training—he was invaluable.

Over the last decade, I’ve been running Diverse Dog Training, helping dogs and their humans across Missoula and Western Montana.

I’ve worked with every type of dog imaginable: anxious rescues, high-drive herding breeds, explosively reactive dogs, stubborn “I’m in charge” types, and even the most challenging cases—dogs aggressive toward humans or other dogs. Each dog taught me something new, and each client reminded me that training is as much about people as it is about dogs. And dogs are hilarious—unpredictable and always capable of making you laugh at the chaos. My goal has always been simple: build relationships, improve communication, and create confident, reliable, happy dogs.

My Training Philosophy

My approach is simple but powerful: respect, communication, and consistency. Every dog is unique, with their own history, personality, and quirks, and I treat each one as an individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Training isn’t just about obedience—it’s about changing a dog’s perception, helping them understand, and creating a partnership between dog and owner that lasts a lifetime. Achieving this takes patience, careful observation, and a willingness to meet dogs on their terms.

I combine balanced techniques with real-world experience. From my early lessons with Sassy to handling explosively reactive or aggressive dogs, I’ve learned that patience, observation, and flexibility are just as important as any method. Humor also plays a big role—dogs are funny, unpredictable, and learning should be engaging and even a little entertaining.

My goal is to help every dog become confident, well-adjusted, and happy, while giving owners the knowledge and tools to continue the work at home. Whether it’s basic obedience, complex behavioral issues, or simply improving communication, my philosophy remains:

Meet the dog where they are, reshape their perception, respect their needs, and make learning a positive experience for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead: My Signature Programs

After 20 years and helping well over 2,000 families in Western Montana, I’m excited to grow Diverse Dog Training with signature programs built on balanced, proven techniques.

The first is the Signature Puppy Program, designed to be the last training program you will ever need for your puppy. From proper puppy raising and grooming to desensitization and everything in between, we work through every stage of your puppy’s life. The program addresses present challenges, genetic quirks, and sets the foundation for a dog that turns heads wherever they go—well-mannered, confident, and admired by everyone.

The second is the Adult Signature Program, designed for dogs of all ages with the goal of creating an obedient, calm, reliable, and confident dog that turns heads wherever they go. Both programs are tailored to each dog’s needs and goals, whether it’s obedience, confidence building, behavior modification, or refining skills.

Each program comes with a guarantee of sessions each year for life, ensuring owners always have the support and guidance they need as their dogs grow and life changes. These programs are the culmination of my 20-year journey, helping dogs and their humans thrive together.

Looking Forward

I’m incredibly excited for the future of Diverse Dog Training—the growth, new opportunities, and continuing to help dogs and families build lasting, joyful relationships. The best is yet to come!

Cody Sheppard

Diverse Dog Training, LLC