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Expert Arizona Dog Training at Partners Dogs
Dedicated Professionals
Positive, High-Energy Team
Striving For Guest Success
Extensively Educated
In The Beginning
Partners Founder, Leighton Qosthuisen, emigrated from South Africa to the USA in 1992.
In 1973, Leighton started training dogs at a mere 10 years old and in 1985 joined a dog training school as an apprentice, going on to become an Instructor and later, Head Dog Trainer.
1992
1997
Leighton purchased an old racehorse training facility in Cave Creek, named Lone Tree Ranch, and founded Partners Dog Training School. (The “Lone Tree” still exists on the main training field).
Partners opens its brand new training facility at its Cave Creek location, complete with large indoor training areas, zoned AC, and 15,000 SF. training field.
2008
2017
Partners launches its full-scale Daycare program with 12,000sf of indoor/outdoor play areas, 10 to 1 ratios, and a focus on well-mannered, positive play.
Partners upgrades its Boarding facilities with luxury suites, tiled floors, industry-leading cleaning systems, and unique services optimized for pet experience.
2020
2021
Partners opens its second location in Scottsdale, Arizona. Doubling our team to 50+ trainers to help operate our new 23,000sf. luxury resort and school.
On its 25th year anniversary of the school, Partners University is launched with its first course, the Pet Parents Guide to Success to assist all of our current and future clients in their journey to a delightful relationship with their dog.
2022
The Best Aggressive Dog Training Arizona Has to Offer
Dogs Trained
Years In Business
Years Combined Exp.
5 Star Reviews
Dogs Saved
Pro Trainers
Meet Our Founders: Pioneers of Arizona Dog Obedience Training
Leighton Oosthuisen
Owner/president
Hello! My name is Leighton and I started Partners Dog School in 1997 after immigrating from South Africa with my family. I am a former K9 handler and have worked with bomb dogs, drug dogs, and Search & Rescue dogs. I have also competed and titled dogs in French Ring, Agility, Dock Diving, and Schutzhund. For the past thirty years, I have specialized in behavior modification. I currently live at our Cave Creek location with my family and an assortment of animals. I am also a World Champion target pistol shooter and represented the USA in 2014, 2017, and 2021 World Pistol Championships.
Christopher Oosthuisen
Owner/COO
Hi there! My name is Christopher and I oversee the operations of each PDS location, Partners Dogs University, and Partners Dogs Foundation. I’ve been with Partners for over a decade, and in that time I’ve seen 10s of thousands of dogs achieve a delightful relationship with their Parents. My goal is to empower our team to inspire our guests into making training a daily part of their lives. I also participate in French Ring and rank Top 50 in the world in target pistol shooting. I have represented the USA alongside Leighton in 2014, 2017, and 2021 World Championships.
Meet our Scottsdale leaders
Hannah Kochman
Head Trainer
Hello! My name is Hannah and I am the Head Trainer at Partners Shea/101. I consider myself to be “born and raised” at Partners. I began working here in 2017, first as an Animal Care Tech and Snake Avoidance Handler. Throughout the years, I have instructed Puppy and Me, level 1 – 3 group classes, as well as trained thousands of dogs ranging from household puppies to behavior modification cases.
Dakota Johnson
Boarding Manager
Hello, I’m Dakota! I am the Boarding Manager and Instructor at the Partners Shea/101 location. I’ve worked with dogs and horses most of my life, and I have trained well over a thousand dogs since starting with Partners in 2021. My job is my passion and I love providing a stellar experience for our guests while their parents are out of town. My goal is to teach Pet Parents how to have a happy life with their dogs.
Nicole Colasacco
DaySchool Manager
Hi there! My name is Nicole and I am the Daycare Manager and Trainer at Partners Shea/101. I have been working with Partners since 2021 and quickly progressed from a Daycare attendant to a Daycare Manager. I absolutely love seeing our guests learn great habits, play appropriately, and enjoy their time with our team. I am also an Instructor for Puppy & Me, Level 1 Obedience, and assist in our Canine Good Citizen tests.
Meet our CAVE CREEK LEADERS
Megan Fiedler
Head Trainer
Hello! My name is Megan and I have worked at Partners since 2016. I not only manage the day-to-day operations at the Cave Creek location, I also work with most of our behavior modification cases. Even after all of these years, my favorite moment is still the “Ah-Ha” moment between handler and dog, the moment where communication is clear and we truly understand one another.
Monica Jensen
Boarding & DaySchool Manager
My name is Monica and I’m the Boarding and Daycare Manager at our Cave Creek location! I’ve been with Partners since 2021 and previously worked in other daycare and boarding facilities. I teach our Puppy & Me and Zoomer’s Agility classes, and absolutely love socialization and confidence building! Teaching is second nature for me, and I’m so grateful I have the opportunity each and every day to utilize my skills!
Noa Holt-Shannon
Team Success Manager
Hello! My name is Noa, and I am a Team Success Manager at Partners Cave Creek. I have been passionate about dog training for a long time and started with Partners in 2018. I’ve enjoyed working with puppies, older dogs, and ones with intense behavioral issues. Teaching our team, clients, and dogs have been a massive part of my job. Watching their success has been incredibly rewarding.
Want to join ARIZONA DOG TRAINING team?
Apply to one of the top Boarding, Daycare, and Training Schools in the country and accelerate your career in the pet care industry!