Meet Your Trainer!
Hello! I am Gianna DeFort and head trainer of By Design!
From a young age I grew up around many dogs, usually at least 5 in the house! With my mother being a dog groomer, my life was full of dogs, and I knew I wanted to work with animals. When I turned 16, I got my first personal dog Hamilton Jack the French Bulldog. I didn't know much then and Hamilton grew to have many behavioral issues unfortunately.
So, I dove headfirst into training to learn how to help him! When I saw the world I could offer him through training, I was hooked on giving him the best life I could! Unfortunately, due to an incurable illness, I lost my Hamilton at two and half years old, and it made me want to build something in his legacy to help others in his honor.
Once I was ready, I found a sweet little pup in need of a good home, welcome Mozzy James! Mozzy presented with his own issues but in training him, I have learned so much and he is an amazing companion. With Mozzy by my side, next I wanted to help every dog I could!
After working numerous jobs at boarding and daycare kennels, I found an amazing team at a nearby Animal Shelter. They saw my potential and hired me as a Behavior and Training Specialist and guided to me get my Certification under the CCPDT! Not even 2 months in, a quiet, terrified, puppy named Hendrix was brought through the Transport Program. We quickly bonded and he became my foster and even quicker, a permanent member of the family. Hendrix Wade, while full of his own behavioral surprises, has change me as a trainer for the better. The knowledge I have gained from them is indispensable.
