About Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile South Hill

Dakota came to Spokane and Prairie Dog in 2016 after graduating from film school in New York and working in the film industry in Southern California for several years. She has been with the company through numerous changes and plenty of growth, so she is an invaluable resource on pet nutrition. As well as working at Prairie Dog, Dakota is an instructor with Diamonds in the Ruff, where she teaches a variety of classes from puppy basics to advanced brain games. In her free time, she enjoys taking cute photos of her three dogs: Silken Windhound Tokidoki, Australian Cattle Dog Jake, and Fenris, a beloved senior Kelpie.

Alex is basically a dog Jill-of-all-trades. Her previous work experiences include vet assistant and receptionist, bather, dog trainer, and chef de cuisine at a small raw pet food company. Her Australian Cattle Dog Neptune is semi-famous on Instagram and knows over 50 different tricks and holds titles in nose work. Alex and her wife live on a ranch just outside of Spokane with an assorted collection of farm animals, four dogs, four cats, three horses, and poultry. She started at Prairie Dog in Spring 2022.

Jennifer knows a lot about a lot of things. She joined the Prairie Dog team in summer 2021, after spending over 20 years running her own dog walking business in New York City. Jennifer has three animal companions: travel-savvy black cat Coralean, spicy ginger Prudence, and a fluffy Pomeranian named Phyllis Cottonball. Besides her own pets, her favorite animals are sharks (she believes they are deeply misunderstood). She is Prairie Dog's own resident cat guru. Outside of work, Jennifer spends her time making jewelry and appreciating all things dark and spooky.

Emily is a Spokanite born and raised. As a child, she was always surrounded by books and family cats. As an adult, she spent several years on the west side managing coffeeshops and working in dog daycares. Her passions include writing elaborate works of fiction, thrifting, and exploring different ways to cook potatoes. Emily now lives with her spouse, their cats Jack and Jayne, and their three dogs: sad Pittie Jess and mismatched corgis Sodapop and Blueberry. She has been a part of the Prairie Dog team since spring 2021.

Prairie Dog is, at its heart, still a family-run business. Amy's parents, Vicki and Bill, help with bookkeeping and deposits. In addition, Vicki occasionally fills in on the sales floor, and Bill is our staff handyman. Amy's sister, Emily, also helps the company with filing and organizing.

Amy offers private consults, lessons & customized day training packages for anyone looking for a little more help with their puppy or dog. She is passionate and dedicated to making the relationship with your dog resilient and joyful. Amy's training style focuses on play, exercise & training to help you and your dog live the best life together. She is skilled at interpreting behavior and can help you truly understand things from your dog's perspective. Whether you are working with a new puppy, wild adolescent, reactive or worried dog, or out of control dog; she is here to help and bring things back in balance within your family.

Amy owns Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile and combines her knowledge of holistic health and nutrition with her behavioral expertise. She offers consultations at Diamonds in the Ruff and at Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile on the South Hill or in your private residence. Amy firmly believes every animal and situation is unique and deserves respect, kindness & humility for every family member involved, not just the dog.

Contact Amy at 509-209-1413 or email her at abarkerdogtraining@gmail.com