Get To Know Me

I’m Cari Pfaff, a professional trainer of over 30 years. Throughout my career, I have titled numerous dogs in AKC Obedience and Rally, as well as given countless presentations for schools, libraries, churches, and healthcare facilities. I love teaching others how to “speak dog” and I treasure the friends I’ve met in my work. 

It is my heart’s desire to always be growing and learning as a trainer, and I have found dogs to be the very best teachers. They speak to those who listen.

The Story

The “Little Black Dog” name was inspired by this beautiful poem. It so perfectly describes the incomparable loyalty and steadfast devotion of dogs.

The Little Black Dog

I wonder if Christ had a little black dog,

All curly and wooly like mine

With two silky ears and a nose round and wet,

And two eyes, brown and tender, that shine.

I’m sure if He had, that little black dog

Knew right from the start He was God,

That he needed no proof that Christ was divine

But just worshipped the ground that He trod.

I’m afraid that He hadn’t because I have read

How He prayed in the garden alone;

For all of His friends and disciples had fled –

Even Peter, the one called a stone.

And oh, I am sure that little black dog,

With a heart so tender and warm,

Would never have left Him to suffer alone,

But creeping right under His arm,

Would have licked those dear fingers, in agony clasped;

And counting all favors but loss,

When they took Him away would have trotted behind

And followed Him quite to the Cross.

Elizabeth Gardener Reynolds

Pictured is Jemima, the original “poster-dog” of Little Black Dog Training Services LLC.