About Us

Learn from the best!
Our team has extensive education, experience and skills in the field of animal behavior and training.

Ashley Conlin

Owner

IAABC CDBC

IAABC ADT

Fear Free Certified Professional

AKC CGC/Trick Dog Evaluator

Ashley grew up loving animals and nature her entire life. That love and passion influenced her to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management with specialties in Animal Behavior and Underwater Science. While completing her degree she began working with dogs both at her local animal shelter as well as a major pet store chain. She found a deep love for animal behavior and helping owners achieve their goals.

After college Ashley pursued her passions in the zoo and aquarium industry and was fortunate to work in multiple countries and states with a wide range of animals. Throughout her career in the zoo field she worked as a private trainer with people’s dogs and was constantly improving by bringing the tips and tricks from the zoo and aquarium field to owners and their pets.

After 13 years working with exotic animals professionally Ashley decided to leave the zoo and aquarium field to work with Alaqua Animal Refuge as a trainer and adoption coordinator. She moved into a new position as the Behavior and Enrichment Manager for the Refuge and developed, then implemented, new programs including K9 Comeback (working with volunteers to behaviorally rehab at risk dogs) and Puppy Preschool (starting puppies with socialization and life skills early). In her time at Alaqua she pursued and achieved certification as a Fear Free trainer as well as an Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Shortly after leaving Alaqua she completed her testing and received her Certified Canine Behavior Consultant credentials from IAABC.

As part of her commitment to constantly learning, Ashley attended a seminar that Debbie was teaching. The two quickly realized that they had similar passions in life and a partnership was formed leading to the purchase of Pets Behave LLC and the continuation of educating pets and their owners.

Debbie Revell R.N.

Owner

DipCABT

Certified Dog and Cat Behavior Consultant

AKC CGC/Trick Dog Evaluator

Debbie Revell is a Certified Dog and Cat Behavior Consultant with over 25 years of professional experience in the fields of animal behavior and training. She obtained her diploma in Companion Animal Behavior and Training from the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology in England in 1999. Debbie holds the prestigious Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC) certifications from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) since 2006.

As an expert in dealing with complex problem behaviors driven by fear, anxiety, and aggression, Debbie specializes in helping owners address these issues. She is one of the only IAABC certified dog behavior consultant and cat behavior consultant in Northwest Florida, earning a stellar reputation for her expertise in training and rehabilitating problem dogs and cats.

Debbie is also a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator, uniquely qualified to assist families with babies and kids. She has served as an expert witness in court cases related to dangerous dog behavior and safety. Additionally, Debbie has delivered lectures and seminars on various aspects of dog behavior, working to raise awareness about the emotional and behavioral needs of pets.

Throughout her career, Debbie has actively participated in various dog sports, including Agility, Obedience, Rally, Conformation, Herding, Barn Hunt, and Field work. She founded and managed Pets Behave LLC, a comprehensive dog training business, for 18 years. Although she initially intended to retire after selling the business in 2020, Debbie recognized the need for education and experienced trainers in the area. In 2023, she co-owned and repurchased Pets Behave with Ashley Conlin, continuing to provide assistance to trainers, rescues, pets, and their owners.

Mikayla Bristol

Mikayla began her dog training journey at a dog daycare/boarding facility in the Okaloosa area. From her time there she quickly learned to read canine body language and observe how dogs communicate with each other. This experience piqued her interest into the dog training world and in the Summer of 2020, she enrolled in the Highland Canine School for dog trainers, Master Dog Trainer program. Through the amazing, intense 24-week course she learned everything from behavior modification for personal dogs, training service dogs for certain tasks, and training dogs to track people for search and rescue or police suspect apprehension. Miikayla graduated in December 2020 with her Master Dog Trainer certificate.

Wanting to stay in her hometown, Mikayla returned to Niceville and came to work at Pets Behave in April 2021. Since then, she has taught Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, CGC Practice Class, private sessions with clients, and is excited to be starting a tracking class in the Fall of 2021. She loves getting to know the dogs and dog owners of the area and helping them build a better bond through training.

Mikayla has a sweet Coonhound boy, Wilson, who loves coming to work with her and getting to meet all the other dogs. Wilson is learning Agility and Tracking and enjoys doing anything that will earn him some cheese.

Lisa Graham

Agility Instructor

AKC CGC Evaluator / Trick Dog Evaluator

In the early 2000s while living in the West Palm area, Lisa discovered agility through the Obedience Training Club of Palm Beach County After a move to Sarasota/Bradenton in 2012, she joined the Sarasota Obedience Training Club and began teaching agility and soon became the Agility Director for the club. During this time, she researched and followed the latest handling trends and was instrumental in developing a very successful agility program. After stepping down as the Agility Director, Lisa was invited to fill in and teach classes for Karen Holik during her summer absences. While at Karen’s facility, Lisa had the privilege of watching, working with and learning from many excellent agility teams from the Tampa Bay Area.

While at an agility trial in NW Florida after yet another move to be closer to family, Lisa’s very handsome Golden Retriever, Finnegan, fell in love with Debbie Revell’s Golden Retriever, Honey. After getting to know each other, Debbie asked Lisa to join the Pets Behave team and she now teaches everything agility – from Puppy and Beginner through Advanced.

While Agility is her thing, Lisa also dabbles in Rally Obedience and has a great love for Tricks. All three of her dogs have AKC trick titles and Lisa offers an occasional Trick class throughout the year.

Lisa has worked with a wide range of breeds and handler skill sets and has taught everything from beginner to advanced/trial preparation classes. She enjoys the challenge of finding the best options for each dog/handler team no matter what their agility aspirations are. Lisa’s approach to teaching is to make sure that in each class, students will learn something new, will improve their existing skills and will be reminded of just how much fun Agility can be. Lisa teaches the Master Drop-In as well as the Beginner agility group class and is available for private lessons.

Adrain Sulewski

Dogs have always been a constant in Adrian’s life. She grew up in a household with four adult Rottweilers and many litters of puppies bred for temperament and confirmation. In this environment she learned how to respect dogs, and earn their respect in return. Over the course of her life she has owned and trained multiple breeds including Heelers, German Shepherds, and Chihuahuas.

Currently Adrian and her Rottie Tali are Test Pilots for the Animal AIC program and research study. She has been teaching Tali to communicate using buttons since Tali was 12 weeks old. Future goals for the team include increasing our button communication skills, Scentwork, Rally, and Urban Mushing.