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About the Trainer

Carrie Faber-Johnston, MS, CYNX-L, CPCN

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Carrie Faber-Johnston is the founder of Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines in Placer County, California. She helps dogs and their people build clearer communication, stronger relationships, and more fulfilling lives together through a whole-dog approach that integrates training, enrichment, cognition, and wellness.

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Her work is rooted in cognitive ethology, learning theory, behavior science, and canine wellness, with a strong emphasis on how dogs think, learn, adapt, and thrive in real-world environments. Rather than focusing on obedience alone, Carrie’s approach prioritizes understanding the dog in front of you—what motivates them, what they need, and how to help them succeed.

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At the core of her work is a specific framework:

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Relationship • Clarity • Biological Fulfillment

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This framework guides every aspect of her work - from puppy development and behavior support to service dog training, enrichment, cognition, and nutrition.

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PHILOSOPHY

Behavior is information.

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Carrie approaches behavior as communication, not defiance. Every behavior - whether it’s reactivity, avoidance, over-excitement, or shutdown- represents a dog attempting to navigate their environment with the tools they have.

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Her goal is not to suppress behavior, but to understand it, organize it, and replace confusion with clarity.

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This is where training becomes more than instruction. It becomes education - for both ends of the leash.

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Through structured play, engagement, and real-world learning, Carrie helps dogs develop confidence, emotional regulation, and the ability to navigate complexity without stress or conflict.

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EARLY EXPERIENCE

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Carrie’s journey into canine behavior began early.

Originally from Truckee, California, she raised seven puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind between the ages of 11 and 19. That experience shaped her understanding of structure, communication, development, and the profound responsibility of raising working dogs.

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It also sparked a deeper question that has guided her career ever since:

Why do dogs learn the way they do - and how can we make that process better for both dogs and humans?

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Today, based in Newcastle, California, she works with puppies, family companions, sport dogs, and service dog prospects - helping each team build a more functional and connected relationship.

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WHAT SHE DOES

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Carrie’s work spans multiple areas of canine development, including:

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  • Puppy development and early learning foundations

  • Behavior modification and emotional regulation

  • Service dog development and task training

  • Canine cognition and learning assessment

  • Sports and enrichment (including Treibball and scent work)

  • Relationship-based coaching for everyday life skills

  •  Nutrition and wellness support, helping owners understand how nutrition influences health, behavior, learning, performance, and overall well-being

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Across all of these areas, the goal remains the same:

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Help dogs become confident, fulfilled learners - and help humans become clear, compassionate communicators.

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EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Carrie holds a Master of Science in Human–Canine Life Sciences and has completed extensive education in canine behavior, learning systems, and professional training frameworks.

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Her formal education includes:

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  • Professional Canine Nutrition Certificate (Feed Real Institute)

  • MS in Human–Canine Life Sciences

  • Triple Helix Canine Professional Certification (Dr. Melanie Uhde)

  • L.E.G.S. Family Dog Mediator (Kim Brophy)

  • Cynopraxic & LIMA Principles Certification

  • NePoPo® Silver & Gold Schools

  • Chad Mackin – Dogmanship / Pack to Basics Certificate

  • Canine Emotion & Cognition (Duke University)

  • BS in Cynology (Canine Studies)

  • AS in Assistance Dog Education

  • Dogs Helping Veterans Certification Program

 

She is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator.

Carrie is a professional member of:

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  • International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)

  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

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Carrie continues to refine her work through ongoing study, mentorship, and advanced seminars, including:

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  • Jay Jack – Play as the Way  & GRC Advanced

  • Chad Mackin – Dogmanship / Pack to Basics

  • Cameron Ford – Canine Cognition

  • Ivan Balabanov

  • Dr. Melanie Uhde

  • Kim Brophy

  • Michael Ellis

  • Pat Stuart

  • Trish King

  • Heather Beck

  • IACP Conferences and professional workshops

 

WHY "OBEDIENCE" IS NOT THE END GOAL

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Dogs don’t need less personality, drive, or emotion.

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They need relationship, clarity, and biological fulfillment.

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Through meaningful communication, purposeful enrichment, proper nutrition, and a deeper understanding of how dogs learn, we can help them become more confident, capable, and fulfilled.

When those needs are met, behavior becomes clearer, learning becomes easier, and the partnership between dog and human can truly flourish.

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This is the foundation of Gold Ridge Cognitive Canines.

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Carrie’s work is ultimately guided by one goal:

To help dogs and humans thrive - together.

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