Two Trainers. Two Puppies. Exceptional Individual Attention.
Erik and Selena Grendahl created Gladwater Canine Academy to give a very small number of puppies the close observation, consistent handling, and thoughtful family transfer that large kennel programs cannot provide.
DTIA-Certified Dog Trainer
Erik Grendahl
Erik is a Certified Dog Trainer through the Dog Training Internship Academy (DTIA). He has trained professionally since 2012 and worked hands-on with hundreds of dogs—from starting puppies and teaching adult manners to serious behavioral work, including aggression.
In 2012, he earned his professional DTIA credential while training directly under Janis Bradley. His background also includes a formal apprenticeship, fostering, dog daycare and boarding, temperament evaluations, intensive board-and-train work for rescue dogs, and showing his personal dog to an AKC championship.
Erik continues advanced professional education in current training and behavior science. He remains GCA’s primary customer-facing trainer and leads program planning and family coaching alongside Selena’s daily Academy work.
Practical experience and daily Academy training
Selena Grendahl
Selena brings extensive hands-on experience raising and training personal dogs, helping prepare rescue dogs for adoption through in-home foster-and-train work, assisting with behavioral board-and-train cases, and working in boarding and dog daycare.
She earned professional dog-walker certification through the dog*tec Dog Walking Academy, now dog*biz, and has spent nearly two decades immersed in dog-training practice and philosophy alongside Erik.
Selena works as an Academy trainer throughout the week, contributing close observation, consistent handling, daily skill practice, enrichment, care, and thoughtful implementation of each puppy’s individual plan.
Erik and Selena bring complementary—not identical—experience. Together, they provide the individual attention made possible by a two-trainer, two-puppy Academy.
A life with dogs
Years of Learning, Living, and Working Together
Dogs have been part of Erik's personal and professional life for decades. At Heartsong, he served as trainer of record for rescue dogs, helping prepare them for placement into homes. He also worked at Uppity Pup dog day care in Diamond Springs, California.
With Goob at a 2009 national specialtyTrainer of record for rescue dogs at HeartsongWorking at Uppity Pup in Diamond Springs, California
GCA’s approach is positive-reinforcement-based and evidence-informed. The trainers work to understand each puppy, support emotional regulation, teach useful alternatives, and coach the people who make progress possible.
GCA uses clear communication, appropriate structure, and positive reinforcement. The Academy does not use e-collars, prong/pinch collars, choke chains, or equipment intended to cause fear or pain.
Gladwater Puppy Academy is the primary Gladwater Canine program. Limited private coaching continues as a secondary service.
Puppy Academy application
Start With a Mutual Fit Conversation
01
Apply for the Academy
Tell us about your puppy, household, goals, concerns, and what you hope life together will become.
02
Decide Together
GCA explains the program, methods, schedule, requirements, tuition, and realistic outcomes while determining whether the two-puppy environment is right.
03
Prepare for the First Monday
Accepted families reserve a position, complete the agreement and health requirements, and begin with a private in-home preparation visit.
Applying does not commit you to enroll, and it does not guarantee acceptance. It helps both your family and GCA determine whether the Academy is the right fit.
