Caryn Self-Sullivan

Caryn and her family have been coming to CB since the 1950s. Her family has owned property here since 1986. In addition to her for-profit businesses, Ask Dr. Caryn, Cairn Cottages, and CB Recycling, Caryn has co-founded the non-profits CB Rivah Dogs and Friends of Eleanor Park. She also volunteers with the CB Humane Society, the CB Community Foundation, Service Dogs of Virginia, and other local community organizations.

Caryn owns several properties and businesses in Colonial Beach. Dr. Caryn specializes in personalized, private training & behavior modification for dogs and their people. She purchased a listing for WWER in the CB Chamber of Commerce directory as her first donation to the cause!

Dr. Caryn works with pet dogs, companion dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs from puppy-hood to old age. Her focus is on building lifelong bonds between dogs and their people based on good communication and trust. Her training programs include Obedience & Good Manners, Behavior Modification for Ordinary & Serious Problems (including court ordered), Basic Puppy Socialization & Training, Training for Service/Therapy/Emotional Support Dogs, and Calming your Reactive Dog.

Every program is personalized to meet the needs of both dog and owner. Whether you have a new puppy, a juvenile delinquent, or an older dog, Caryn can help you reach your goals and have fun doing it! Her service area includes a 30 mile radius around Fredericksburg VA and Colonial Beach VA, enabling her to serve clients in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Orange, Culpeper, & Westmoreland Counties. Extended service is available for Prince William, Lancaster, Essex, Green, and Albermarle Counties.

In addition to her Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) certification, Caryn Self-Sullivan has a PhD in Animal Behavior, and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a Certified Behavior Consultant (IAABC-C), a Certified Operation Socialization Puppy Trainer (OSCT), an Association of Professional Dog Trainers Professional Member (APDT), a Pet Professional Guild Member (PPG), a K9 to 5 Therapy Dog Trainer & Evaluator, a Puppy Raiser for Service Dogs of Virginia, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Trainer & Evaluator (AKC CGC), a Doggone Safe Be A Tree Licensed Presenter, a Certified TAGteacher, and a member of the Animal Behavior Society, the International Marine Animal Trainers Association, and the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior.

Caryn works with pet owners, parents, children, shelter staff and volunteers, veterinary staff, groomers, trainers, coaches, camp counselors, teachers, and business managers-anyone who needs or wants to train specific skills, to modify behaviors, and to build long-term trusting relationships using fun and aversive-free methods.

As a native of Fredericksburg, VA, Caryn Self-Sullivan went back to school in 1993 to study marine science after “retiring” from a career as a Realtor and raising three children. This academic journey has taken her around the world, studying animal behavior and conducting research in the USA, Australia, Belize, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic.