Our Dog Trainers and Staff

Our dedicated staff offers years of professional experience with both dogs and people that creates a team that is unequalled in the industry. We have the skills and expertise to match and train the right dog to meet the needs of our clients and their families.

         Jason Purgason, CPDT-KA, CDT, APDT

Jason is the Training Director of Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been working with dogs and people for over 20 years. Jason is a certified pet dog trainer through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Jason has trained dogs and people throughout the United States as well as instructing and lecturing internationally.

Jason has successfully trained dogs for police, protection, search and rescue, detection, competition obedience, agility, service dogs for the disabled, tracking, and dogs for print ads and television, to name a few. Jason is a former law enforcement officer and police canine handler and supervisor. He understands how important it is for a working dog to perform reliablity in the field. Jason has previously worked extensively with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, physical handicaps and other disabilties.

Jason instructs and supervises all of the training programs at Highland Canine Training, LLC to include our pet training, working dog training, service and assistance dog training as well as our School for Dog Trainers.

Contact Jason at 704-728-9494

          Bobbie Ellis, MSW, CDT, APDT

Bobbie has worked with children and families for 15 years. She began working with disabled children as a classroom aid in the early 90’s. She continued to work with the local family assistant programs that included, survivors of domestic violent counselor, rape crisis counselor, grieving children counselor, after school programs, to name a few. She later earned her master degree in social work and practiced clinical work with children with severe mental health disorders, bio-neurological disorders, and other issues. She understands that children can’t be assisted in a vacuum, they need the support of their family and other community providers.

Bobbie also brings her knowledge of dog training to the Assistance Dog for Autism program. She earned her dog training certificate from Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been their head trainer since 2009. She is responsible for training dogs and teaching dog owners how to work with their dog to maintain their training. She works with all breeds of dogs and all types of dog behaviors. Bobbie is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainer and is a certified A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She also teaches group classes for puppies, basic obedience and off-leash obedience.

Call Bobbie at 704-539-5604

        Linda Taylor, BA, CPT, APDT

Linda has been training and working with dogs and people for over 10 years. She is located at our Matthews, NC location and serves Matthews, Charlotte, Indian Trail, Pineville and the surrounding areas. She conducts Group Classes in Matthews and in Mooresville. She teaches Basic and Advanced Training, as well as Behavior Modification and Therapy Dog Training. Linda is a certified Therapy Dog Trainer, a certified Personal Service Dog Trainer, a certified CPT, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Linda works with all breeds of dogs and specializes in correcting problem behaviors. She works with clients to correct aggression, fear and dominance, jumping, mouthing, pulling on the leash to name a few. Linda is a certified personal trainer and is offering classes in Agility and Rally-Obedience, and our new Get Fit With Your Dog program, for those interested in quick paced sports oriented training. These classes are fun and healthy for both the dog and the client.

Linda manages our Therapy Dog Program and our Autistic Dog Program in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. Her understanding of human nature and animal behavior, as well as the needs of both allows her to create specialized programs designed to meet the needs of all involved. Her methods of training include, Positive Reinforcement, Training in Drive, Clicker Training and remote collar training.

Call Linda at 704-500-6810