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About Us
Get to know our Staff
Here, you'll discover the people and animals who are working with your four-legged family members.
About Us
Dayna Luecht, Owner and Head Trainer
Hi, I'm Dayna, formerly of Tails to Scales! I grew up in Hawthorne, NJ, and later moved to Butler with my husband. I've always had a deep love for animals, growing up with hamsters, fish, rabbits, cats, and dogs. At 15, I started working at a veterinary hospital in Midland Park and Ridgewood, NJ, and eventually became a veterinary technician and manager. I loved being hands-on with surgeries, dental cleanings, and spending time with animals.
Over the years, I observed many animal behaviors, especially in dogs. Seeing owners struggle with their dogs made me realize the importance of communication between them. I wanted to help before drastic measures were taken.
My journey into dog training began when I adopted Maggie, a Springer Spaniel with food aggression and resource guarding. We worked through these issues together, building a better relationship. Later, we adopted Emma, a heartworm-positive dog with trauma. After she bit my nephew, I knew we needed professional help, and over time, Emma became a loving companion to my family.
Emma's progress inspired me to help others build better relationships with their dogs. Though I loved my career in veterinary medicine, I realized dog training was my true calling. My goal is to help owners achieve the bond they’ve always wanted with their dogs.
If you ever need advice or resources, feel free to reach out.
When I'm not training or pet sitting, I enjoy camping, hiking, and gardening with my husband, two kids, two dogs (Emma, 13, and Axel, 5), and our 8 chickens.
Emma, Demo Dog
Emma is a 13-year-old pit bull mix. I first met her at the Veterinary Hospital where I worked, she was heartworm positive at the time. She was scared and timid, and the staff wasn't sure how to handle her, so they always muzzled her. But there was something about her that drew me in, and she seemed to connect with me the most. At the time, my husband and I weren’t planning on getting a dog since we had just gotten married and were heading out on our honeymoon. But when we came back, Emma was still there, recovering. For her final heartworm treatment, she needed a quiet, comfortable place to rest, so I brought her home. My husband instantly fell in love with her, and from that moment, there was no turning back.
Emma’s a big part of my work as I use her to evaluate other dogs’ behaviors. She’s calm and easygoing, always enjoying the company of other dogs and people. Emma has an amazing ability to read other dogs — she knows when they need space and when they could use some comfort.
As she’s getting older, she’s a bit more retired now and doesn’t have the energy for the younger pups anymore, but she’s still the wise, steady presence I rely on.
Axel, Demo Dog
Axel is a 5-year-old Cocker Spaniel with a heartbreaking and inspiring backstory. I received a call from Real Dog Rescue, an organization I work with occasionally, asking if I could help with a 3-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy who had been run over and needed urgent care. They needed someone with veterinary experience, so I agreed to foster him—but I warned them that I have a soft spot for Cocker Spaniels and might end up keeping him.
Axel’s story is tragic. The owner at the time accidentally ran him over after he got loose from someone holding him. He sustained serious injuries, including 9 broken ribs, a hairline fracture in one elbow, a broken femur, a broken pelvis in multiple places, and he had to have emergency surgery to repair a tendon that was affecting his bladder. After caring for him for a while, my family and I decided to make him a permanent part of our lives.
Axel is a little bundle of joy who helps in more ways than one. He’s a natural at being a distractor with his happy, go-lucky attitude—nothing seems to faze him. Axel also plays an important role in helping evaluate dog behaviors and works as a demo dog to show clients proper techniques. He’s even used sometimes to help clients practice with a different dog. Despite his rough start, Axel has become a source of joy and positivity in our lives and the lives of those he works with.
The Girls - Demo Chickens
The Girls – These are our chickens, and they play a crucial role in my dog training, especially when it comes to working with dogs that have a high prey drive. They’re fearless and will boldly approach a dog that's trying to get to them. Of course, I always make sure to protect them, so no chickens are harmed during training sessions. They’re a wonderful addition to our family—providing fresh eggs, and they also help me in training dogs with prey drive.
Henry & Charlotte
Henry and Charlotte - They are the next generation we hope will follow in their moms' footsteps—or at the very least, learn from them. They’re incredibly helpful, especially with dogs that have a fear of children, bikes, running, playing ball, or just the general chaos of kids being kids. They love discovering new ways to work with dogs and are always amazed at how much progress some of the dogs make. From highly aggressive dogs to playful puppies, they've seen it all.
R.I.P Maggie
Maggie - Rest in Peace. Maggie passed away in 2013 at the age of 12. She was my very first dog, and she became my rock during many challenging times in my life as a young adult. Maggie is the one who sparked my interest in dog training. As a 5-6 month old puppy, she was surrendered by her previous owners who were concerned she might have Springer Rage Syndrome. Despite this, she proved to be an incredible dog—strong, dependable, and resilient. Maggie had a tough spirit and never let any dog push her around; she always knew how to stand up for herself. While she wasn’t involved in my formal training pursuits, I can’t help but acknowledge her role in shaping the path I’m on today.