MEET THE TRAINERS

Jesi Kirk, CPDT-KA

Owner and Head Trainer/Groomer

Howling Moon Pet Care Owner and Head Trainer/Groomer, Jesi Kirk, CPDT-KA has been training dogs since she was 8 years old. Jesi dreamed of working with dogs at a young age. In college, at NCSU, she contemplated becoming a Veterinarian. Instead, she completed a grooming apprenticeship at a local vet’s office and received a degree in Education. Although she enjoyed working with children, she knew her heart belonged to dogs. Jesi has over fifteen years of experience in dog training and grooming on a professional level. Her experience teaching children gives her the confidence, creativity, and patience to educate dog owners on training, grooming, and husbandry techniques.

Jesi is forever grateful of the bond that exists between dogs and their people. After all, dogs have helped to shape Jesi’s entire life and her many dogs over the years have taught her so much about enjoying life to the fullest. She is well aware of the healing component a dog can bring to your life and promoting this special connection is a significant part of Howling Moon Pet Care’s mission and philosophy.

Jesi is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires hundreds of logged training hours and passing a comprehensive exam. Jesi is also a certified Fear Free Dog Trainer and Groomer vowing to use the least invasive techniques possible when training and grooming pets. She is the only Fear Free certified dog groomer in Raleigh, NC. Her specialties include Creative Grooming and Cooperative Care. She has also enjoyed competing and earning titles over the years in Rally Obedience, Conformation, Agility, and Trick Dog. Jesi enjoys giving back to the community in the form of therapy dog visits and donations to local rescues who help find homes for unwanted pets. Jesi is also an approved evaluator for the AKC.

Jesi’s Pack

Zuri

Kunoki’s Crème de la Crème Furry CGC TKI RA

Zuri is a 13 year old Chinese Crested Powder Puff and is the inspiration behind the name and logo of Howling Moon Pet Care.

As a certified therapy dog, Zuri has brought many smiles, joy, and hope to people over the years. He has a title in Rally Obedience and Trick Dog. Zuri enjoys Treiball and Canine Musical Freestyle.

Blue

Blue Ain’t Your Color He’s Stealing Your Thunder CGC TKI

Blue is a five year old rescued Pit/Cattle Dog mix from Gaston County Animal Control.  Blue came with a lot of challenges including separation anxiety and an aversion to getting his nails done. 

He has taught Jesi a lot about Cooperative Care. Blue has a Trick Dog Title and enjoys swimming, hiking, fetching his Wubba, and is exploring the sport of Nose Work.

Ginger

Gingerbread Puppy of Halloween CGC

Ginger is a seven year old rescued Pit/Lab mix who loves to play with other dogs (especially puppies). She enjoys playing agility, tug, and snuggling.

Ginger is very social with other dogs and loves to make sure everyone feels included during play time.

Remy Metzger, CPDT-KA

Certified Dog Trainer

     Howling Moon Pet Care Trainer, Remy Metzger, CPDT-KA has been passionate about dogs from the time she was little.  As a young child, she would set up makeshift agility courses in her home for her family Dachshund, Buddha.  Remy has always loved animals of all shapes and sizes.  She has previously ridden in a rodeo and loved to teach fun tricks to the horse she rode.  As a teenager, she adopted a dog named Baby.  At a young age, Baby dealt with dog reactivity and aggression.  While rebuilding Baby’s ability to co-exist and communicate with her own species, Remy’s passion for dog training was ignited.

Remy has been dog training professionally for seven years.  Remy is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires hundreds of logged hours and passing a comprehensive exam.   Remy has participated in Rally Obedience, Agility, Barn Hunt, Parkour, Dock Diving, and has earned titles in Trick Dog.  Remy is also an Evaluator with the American Kennel Club.

Remy’s Pack

Baby

Smoketree’s Baby Come Back CGC TKN

Baby is as adventurous as they come.  She never turns down a romp in the woods, but would be just as happy flying off the end of a dock.

Baby was Remy’s first dog.

 

Trouble

Mordecai’s Good Sorta Trouble CGC TKN

Trouble was re-homed to Remy by a friend who initially found her wandering on the road. She’s a Bully Breed mix, and as energetic as they come! Trouble is a go-go-go type of gal, and Remy has earned both CGC and Tricks Titles with her. Trouble’s favorite thing is hiking through the woods, but Parkour is a close second! Remy plans to compete with Trouble in Barn Hunt, Parkour, as well as Dock Diving. Although it’s just for fun, Remy and Trouble also enjoy playing the sport of Agility!

Knox

Knox is Bully Breed and Mastiff cross that was re-homed to Remy when he was three years old, and is the newest addition to her pack of three. Peanut butter is better than sliced bread, if you ask Knox. He’s happy to spend the day hanging out on the couch watching movies, but also loves learning new tricks. Knox weighs in at one hundred pounds, and has taught Remy a lot about working with larger breeds of dogs. Remy plans to earn Trick Titles with Knox.

Whitney Tutor, CPDT-KA

Certified Dog Trainer

Whitney Tutor, CPDT-KA didn’t come to the world of dog sports and training until 2012 with her first Siberian Husky, Luna. She attended puppy kindergarten with Luna and thought it might stop there. But after adopting another Siberian in 2016, Nanook, they embarked on a training journey to help him with his anxiety and leash reactivity. Whitney started competing with Luna in AKC Rally Obedience in 2017. Luna has earned some of the highest titles in Rally Obedience, has been ranked in the top ten Siberian Huskies in Rally, and been invited to the Rally National Championship twice. Nanook has earned titles in Rally, Fast CAT and AKC Agility. Saga was added to the pack in 2019. At 3 years of age she has already earned titles across several different sports including CGC, Trick Dog, Fast CAT, CAT and Barn Hunt. She is working towards her first titles in AKC Rally Obedience and Agility.

 Whitney has spent the last several years diving deep into all things dog sports. While she mainly focuses on Rally Obedience and Agility, she has also trained and competed in Barn Hunt, Conformation, Fast CAT and CAT. Whitney is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. She is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of America, and is secretary of the Central NC Siberian Husky Club.

 

Whitney’s Pack

Saga

Ninkasi’s Tell Me A Story CA BCAT RATN CGC TKN

Nanook

Nanook Redbear RA OAP OJP DCAT

Luna

Luna Rose RAE OAP OJP RATN CGCA TKI

Certification & Education

Why Certifications Matter

At Howling Moon Pet Care, we take pride in acquiring and maintaining industry-recognized certifications for our trainers.

The dog training industry is grossly unregulated; therefore, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Because these certifications require a certain amount of continuing education in order to remain certified, they ensure that our trainers are always staying up to date on the most current and proven training techniques.

Not only do we attend continuing education seminars, conferences and workshops but we also spend hundreds of hours each year reading books, blogs and listening to podcasts in order to expand our knowledge about scientifically proven training techniques. We feel that this allows us to better serve our clients and community.

Click here to learn more about why you should choose to work with a CPDT certified instructor.

Start enjoying life together, today.