meet your trainer
Sarah Bostock
Certified dog trainer with a background in wolf behavior research, zoo & sanctuary work, and veterinary medicine.
My Background & Experience
Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to formally introduce myself. My name is Sarah Bostock, and I’ve been in Minnesota for a little over 4 years now — originally from Florida, but here braving the cold.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in both Biology and Psychology from UCF, with a focus on animal behavior. During college, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a wolf educator under one of the world’s leading wolf biologists, Dr. David Mech, learning to interpret canine behavior at its most fundamental level.
I’ve worked in zoos, sanctuaries, and veterinary medicine, managing two different veterinary clinics and working with everything from large carnivores to marine life at SeaWorld. However, my true passion has always been dogs — especially understanding their behavior and strengthening the human-canine bond.
Training Philosophy
I combine my scientific background with over a decade of hands-on experience to take a positive-first, balanced approach to training. Every dog is unique, so I tailor training methods to fit their individual needs, temperament, and challenges. I take a LIMA approach when choosing tools, focusing on what works best for each dog, and I incorporate all four quadrants of learning theory — always taking the time to educate owners on which methods we’re using, why, and how they benefit their dog’s progress.
Specialties & Services
Obedience Training
Basic to advanced. I’ve trained thousands of dogs — as well as cheetahs for voluntary blood draws and turtles for target feeding — across board & train programs, private lessons, group classes, and seminars.
See our training options
Behavior Modification
Extensive experience with reactive, fearful, and aggressive dogs, including cases many trainers consider too high-risk. Worked at Central Florida K9 rehabilitating dogs on the verge of behavioral euthanasia.
Maybe Board & Train is right for you & your dog
Protection Training
Started protection work in 2018, training police K9s (including SWAT and hospital contract dogs) under Rock Galloway. Training Director for Twin Cities PSA Club and instructor in Shawn Edward’s Deadpool Decoy School.
Service Dog Training
Trained under a former lead trainer at Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) for four years. Experience with mobility support, PTSD/autism assistance, medical alerting, and guide work.
Dog Sports & Competition
Competes in Protection Sports, Barn Hunt, Disc, Scent Work, Lure Coursing, NASDA, and Agility — with dogs of every kind, not just biddable Malinois and Border Collies.
Ready to work with Sarah?
Schedule a free Meet & Greet and get started today.