A native of Fredericksburg VA, Caryn Self Sullivan went back to school in 1993 to study marine science after “retiring” from a career as a Realtor and raising three children. This academic journey has taken her around the world, studying animal behavior and conducting research in the USA, Australia, Belize, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic. In addition to her for-profit businesses, Ask Dr. Caryn and Beach Paws Boutique, Caryn co-founded the non-profits CB Rivah Dogs, Friends of Eleanor Park, CB Greenspace, and Coming To The Table CBVA. She also volunteers with the CB Humane Society, the CB Community Foundation, Neighbor2Neighbor, Service Dogs of Virginia, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local community organizations. She is a WWER Underwriter and serves on WWER’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Caryn specializes in personalized, private training & behavior modification for dogs and their people. She works with pet dogs, companion dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs from puppyhood to old age with a focus on building lifelong human-canine bonds. Every training session is personalized to meet the needs of both dog and owner. Whether you have a new puppy, a juvenile delinquent, or an older dog, Caryn can help you reach your goals and have fun doing it! Her service area includes Fredericksburg, Colonial Beach, Montross and Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George and Westmoreland Counties. She also offers virtual consultations via Zoom.

In addition to her PhD in Animal Behavior, Dr. Caryn is a Certified Behavior Consultant (IAABC), a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CCPDT), a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT), and a Certified Operation Socialization Puppy Trainer (OSCT). She is also a Graduate of Aggressive Dogs Master’s Program, APDT’s Aggression and the Law, and Dr. Karolina Westlund’s Advanced Animal Behavior Course. Caryn is a Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE), an Association of Professional Dog Trainers Professional Member (APDT), a Pet Professional Guild Member (PPG), a K9 to 5 Therapy Dog Trainer & Evaluator, a Puppy Raiser for Service Dogs of Virginia, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Trainer & Evaluator (AKC CGC), a Doggone Safe Be A Tree Licensed Presenter, a Certified TAGteacher, and a member of the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior (AVSAB).