Clickstart Dog Training Academy

Clickstart Dog Training Academy is an Orange County-based dog training school committed to helping dogs and their guardians thrive at every stage of life.

A combination of formal education and hands-on experience makes Clickstart a leader in ethical, science-based dog training, helping guardians build a lasting bond with their dog based on trust and positive reinforcement.

Our Story

Clickstart Dog Training Academy (est. 2019) is proudly a woman and LGBTQ+ owned small business, founded by Cassie Pestana and Liv Healy-Mirkovich – two of Orange County’s top behavior consultants and trainers.

Cassie and Liv first crossed paths in 2015 while working for the same dog training company. United by a love of behavior science and learning theory that went well beyond the industry norm, they quickly became friends—bonding over courses like Aggression in Dogs, Clicker Expo events, and hours of brainstorming solutions to common training challenges.

In 2019, they jumped at the chance to set their own standards, bringing their vision of ethical, science-based dog training to life with their very own business – Clickstart. Since then, they’ve built a dream team of six passionate trainers, each with unique expertise — from puppy development and agility to service dogs and rescue pups. In 2023, they opened Clickstart’s first campus in Lake Forest, where they offer an ever-expanding course catalog to help dogs and their owners thrive at every stage of life.