Meet The Team

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Nicole Loveless is the owner and lead trainer of Such A Good Dog. She began training dogs professionally in 2013 under the mentorship of Laurel Rose, building her experience through hands-on work with dogs of many breeds, ages, and behavioral needs. She has a particular affinity for power breeds and enjoys helping people better understand what their dogs are communicating.

Nicole teaches group classes and private sessions and leads Such A Good Dog’s supplemental Board & Train program. Her Board & Train approach is intentionally personal, working with a limited number of dogs at a time and focusing on practical skills that transfer into everyday life. Owners remain an important part of the process so they can confidently continue their dog’s progress at home.

Nicole also serves as a mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College, helping aspiring professional trainers gain practical, hands-on experience as they complete their education.

Committed to continued growth, Nicole regularly studies current research in canine learning and behavior and is working toward her CPDT-KA professional certification. Her approach combines behavioral science, positive reinforcement, clear communication, and fair boundaries—without relying on aversive or punitive equipment.

Outside of training, Nicole is a wife and mom of three, with children ranging from elementary-school age to adulthood. She understands firsthand that training must be practical enough to work within the demands of real family life.

Gary Morgan, CPDT-KA, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with more than eight years of professional training experience. He earned his dog obedience instructor certification through Animal Behavior College, graduating with honors, and later earned his CPDT-KA certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Gary specializes in reactivity and aggression-related behavior. He has also completed Michael Shikashio’s comprehensive Aggression in Dogs Master Course, advanced professional education focused on safely assessing, managing, and modifying aggressive behavior.

Before becoming a professional trainer, Gary spent more than a decade involved in animal rescue as a foster, volunteer, and evaluator. That experience gave him the opportunity to work with dogs representing a wide range of breeds, backgrounds, and behavioral needs.

Australian Shepherds are Gary’s breed of choice, and he currently shares his home with one. He especially enjoys the intelligence, sensitivity, and working drive that make the breed both rewarding and challenging.

Erin Barinaga has been training dogs professionally since 2022 and is currently working toward her CPDT-KA certification. Her training experience ranges from foundational obedience and real-life manners to agility and AKC Canine Good Citizen skills.

Erin’s involvement with animals began well before she became a professional trainer. During college, she volunteered with local shelters and rescue organizations and served as president of UAH Helping Paws, the university’s animal welfare organization. Erin and her previous Border Collie also worked together as a certified therapy-dog team through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Erin especially enjoys working with herding breeds and helping families better understand their dogs’ energy, intelligence, and individual needs. Her approach is patient, encouraging, and focused on giving both dogs and their people practical skills they can use in everyday life.

Outside of training, Erin is a mom to a young child and shares her home with Nala. Her experience balancing dogs, family, and a busy household gives her a real-life understanding of why training needs to be both effective and realistic.

Mary Ellen Pollard has been training dogs professionally since 2024 and is currently working toward her CPDT-KA certification. Her hands-on experience with animals began during childhood, when she helped raise and train English Pointers for competition field trials.

Mary Ellen has experience working with a variety of breeds and training needs, including helping train her son’s service dog, Neela. She has a special appreciation for working breeds and enjoys giving intelligent, driven dogs productive ways to use their natural abilities. At Such A Good Dog, she teaches group classes—including our Scent Games class, where dogs learn to use their most powerful sense while building confidence, focus, and teamwork with their handlers.

Committed to continued learning, Mary Ellen regularly studies current, evidence-based information about canine behavior and training. She has also supported multiple animal-welfare organizations as a volunteer and foster for dogs and cats.

Outside of dog training, Mary Ellen is a homeschool mom. Her experience teaching both at home and in the training room contributes to her patient, adaptable approach and her ability to meet each dog-and-handler team where they are.