About

Candice and Indigo; image description: woman wearing glasses and a hat smiles at the camera, with a black dog just in front, looking off camera to the left

Candice Gray (she/her) is an Air Force veteran, and a certified professional dog trainer with a passion for helping people find joy in the lives they share with their animals. Candice currently lives in Augusta, GA with her wife and seven cats.

After losing her heart dog, Tennessee (Tenn), in 2015, Candice made it her mission to learn all she could about dog training and behavior, with the goal of helping others find the type of joy she’d known with Tenn. While training her remaining dog, Indigo, Candice found her way from dominance- and compulsion-based methods to force-free. In 2019, Candice began a six-month apprenticeship with a local force-free trainer, earned her CPDT-KA in 2021, and continued working under the trainer’s mentorship until the business closed in 2023.

Though Indigo passed in 2022, she lives on in the FFTWC logo. Candice strives to improve her education and skills, to better serve animals and their human teammates, in honor of Tennessee and Indigo, and all the animals who have taught us so much.

Tennessee; image description, a blue merle Australian Cattle Dog, lying in the backseat of a car, facing the camera

Training Philisophy

Positive reinforcement, force-free methods, ensuring welfare and enrichment needs are met. I am passionate about cooperative care, which includes handling, basic grooming such as nail care and brushing, and helping reduce fear, anxiety, and stress surrounding medical care and veterinary visits.

I avoid the use of pain, fear, intimidation, coercion, or discomfort in training, but also strive to do so in all my interactions with our animals.

Interested in learning more? These resources are largely in line with my own ethics and approach.

Progressive Reinforcement (by Emily Larlham aka Kikopup)

LIFE (Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective) (by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez)

Do No Harm Dog Training (by Linda Michaels, M.A.)

Force-Free Training Traffic Lights (by Ruby Welsford)

Indigo; image description, a black dog lies on the grass, facing the camera, face slightly tense and mouth partially open as she waits for a treat, with a blue leash visible

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA, 2021)

    AKC CGC Evaluator (2023)

    Fear-Free Certified Professional (FFCP, 2023)

  • In-person sessions are available within Augusta, GA and around the CSRA, including Fort Eisenhower. Check the map! Virtual sessions may be anywhere within the United States.

  • I am more than happy to recommend someone closer to you or help you find another trainer who offers virtual sessions in your area.