10/15/2026
🐾🎃 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT - Buchman Best Behaviors ! 🎃🐾
We’re continuing our Trunk or Treat 2026 Vendor Spotlights, and this next familiar face is someone we’re especially excited to introduce to more of our Mat-Su community!
Please help us give a BIG Alaska welcome to Whitney of Buchman’s Best Behaviors! 🧡🐕
🐕 FROM KANSAS TO ALASKA — WITH A PASSION FOR POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!
Whitney recently made the move from Kansas to Alaska, bringing decades of animal behavior experience, education, and a passion for helping animals and their humans better understand one another!
And his background is pretty incredible!
🐾 Whitney’s animal training journey began back in 1992, working with his own Doberman mix in obedience competitions.
🎓 He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal Ecology with a minor in Biology from Iowa State University.
🦒 From there, he entered the zoo field, eventually becoming a zoo curator!
🐕 In 2010, he began teaching group dog training classes, and in 2018, he officially launched Buchman’s Best Behaviors, focusing on helping families navigate life with their four-legged companions using humane, science-based training methods.
And did we mention he’s also a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)?! 🎓🐾
WHY WE’RE SO EXCITED TO HAVE WHITNEY IN OUR COMMUNITY
At The Better Companion, we believe good training should be rooted in education, empathy, and understanding the animal in front of you.
Whitney shares that philosophy, emphasizing positive reinforcement, animal choice, and fear-free, pain-free approaches to training.
His experience includes:
🐶 Puppy training and early foundations
🐕 Basic obedience and everyday manners
🐾 Behavior modification for reactive dogs
❤️ Helping fearful and sensitive animals build confidence
🧠 Helping guardians better understand the why behind their animal’s behavior
And one of the best parts?
HE OFFERS VIRTUAL TRAINING OPTIONS, TOO!
Whether you’re in the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage, elsewhere in Alaska, or simply prefer learning from the comfort of your own home, virtual training can provide another accessible way to receive professional guidance and support.
🐾 A LITTLE BETTER COMPANION CONNECTION!
We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming Whitney into our Better Companion training community!
We believe there’s tremendous value in collaborating with other qualified professionals rather than treating dog training like a competition.
Different trainers bring different experiences, perspectives, and specialties to the table, and ultimately more qualified, compassionate resources mean better outcomes for the dogs and families we serve. 🧡
We’re especially grateful to have another experienced, like-minded professional in our corner who can help support families navigating more complex behavioral challenges.
🛍️ COME MEET WHITNEY!
Whether you’re navigating puppyhood, struggling with reactivity, curious about behavior modification, or simply want to talk dogs with someone who has decades of animal experience, be sure to stop by and introduce yourself!
And if you’ve been looking for a trainer who understands that behavior is communication and that our dogs deserve kindness, patience, and a little help navigating our very human world, make sure you stop by and say hello
