About Us
Hi there! I’m Deanna Alko, the proud founder of SQUIRREL!® and your enthusiastic partner in the adventure of dog training. My passion lies in helping you and your furry companion reach your training goals through a structured and enjoyable approach. Our courses are geared toward shaping a well-rounded dog ready for exciting challenges, including water rescue work.
Our mission is to help you and your dog succeed
We believe that with the right guidance and methods, any dog can learn to embrace these vital skills and much more!
At SQUIRREL!®, we’re dedicated to equipping you and your pup with the tools and knowledge needed for success.
Our online courses are crafted to build a strong foundation that will serve you both well in every adventure you take on together. With our friendly expert trainers and a straightforward curriculum, you’ll find it enjoyable to learn and grow alongside your loyal friend. Join us today, and let’s embark on this incredible voyage together—full of fun, splashes, and achievements! We can’t wait to see you both thrive!
Our philosophy is the fundamental principle of water work:
‘Take, Hold, & Give’
Take the opportunity ~ Hold the bond sacred ~ Give praise and love liberally
Join us today and start your voyage towards having fun and making a splash together!
What our students are saying
Throughout the years, the SQUIRREL!® Dog Training courses have helped me and my dogs with the building blocks and higher level skills we need for water rescue, obedience and draft work. Deanna goes the extra mile to provide helpful resources (like an amazing water rescue caller audio track) and personalized assistance when facing challenges (hello dreaded Take a Line).
Deanna has built a community of positive and incredibly supportive dog people, and has honed her materials so courses are well thought out, broken down into very detailed and manageable steps for easy and successful learning at all stages.
I feel like anyone who takes a course will improve their relationship with their dog and learn a lot along the way.
We have taken multiple classes SQUIRREL!® Dog Training has offered, and enjoyed each and every one of them. Deanna has a way of breaking down exercises into pieces, and making it fun to learn! After successfully learning each piece, the dogs then put the pieces together into one cohesive exercise. The dogs have a great time learning this way! And it is very effective.
I have been training dogs for over 25 years, and still have learned new techniques offered by her classes! Both my newfoundland and golden had a great time learning and improving on their skills! I’m looking forward to seeing what classes she offers next!
My goal is to eventually attend one of her water training seminars! I would absolutely recommend her classes to everyone!
The online THG Foundations Course is terrific. Not only was Ada able to acquire the foundational skills for water work, but these skills have also transferred to her obedience and draft work training.
At Ada’s first water test, the judge said, “She very clearly understands take, hold, give.”
The online aspect of this course makes it extremely easy to fit into a business schedule, and the course community provides support and guidance.
I strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to train their dog for water work and, at the same time, build a strong partnership with their dog.
