Let the sun set on your dog training frustrations!
At SunSetter Dog Training, we strive to empower each and every owner to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. We aim for you to confidently apply the training tools acquired in our private lessons when working with your present and future pups.
Our Mission
Our mission is to aid you in the achievement of your training goals via personalized, one-on-one training sessions, board-and-train opportunities, and virtual support and resources. Our training programs establish a critical foundation, enhance known commands and skills, and reshape undesirable behaviors. Additionally, we hope to create dogs who are enthusiastic about learning and owners who have the knowledge and skills to train their dogs with confidence.
Our Origins
Our name is derived from our founder’s two greatest mentors and influences. During her childhood, Donna’s mother often sang “You Are My Sunshine” to her and her sister. Donna’s mother is one of her biggest cheerleaders. Her mom motivates Donna to chase her dreams and to be the best she can be each and every day. The second half of the name comes from Donna’s first pet dog- an English Setter named Lucy. Donna taught herself the basics of dog training as she grew up alongside Lucy. SunSetter Dog Training was born from those places of warmth & growth.
We cannot wait to work and learn alongside you!
Meet Our Staff
Donna Bryan
Founder + Lead Trainer
Donna Bryan is the owner and founder of SunSetter Dog Training, LLC.
Donna graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in May of 2020. Her family has owned dogs for her whole life, and has managed a boarding kennel in North Georgia for almost a decade. In this, she has been working with and caring for dogs since the day she was born.
Professional Background
In 2016, Donna became a volunteer puppy raiser for a nationally accredited service and guide dog program. There, she raised five guide and service dogs-in-training. Donna quickly rose through the ranks. She was promoted from puppy raiser to group leader to area coordinator (a volunteer position tasked with overseeing the raising and training of 10-15 puppies in training and coordinating 20-30 volunteer applicants, sitters, and puppy raisers). In July 2020, the organization hired Donna as a full-time puppy advisor. She oversaw the medical and training components of ~100 future guide and service dogs and managed ~300 volunteers – a career that perfectly balanced Donna’s love of animals, drive to serve and give back to her community, and passion for helping people.
Donna’s expansive history with canine care and behavioral interventions has laid the groundwork for her to create and launch SunSetter Dog Training. She hopes to support pet parents through the ups and downs of dog ownership by sharing her knowledge and experience with others and by empowering them to be the best handlers they can be. She strives to keep empathy and patience at the center of everything she does.
Donna continues to enhance her knowledge of all things dog training and canine care by keeping up to date on relevant research, attending conferences, and consuming related content in her spare time. Donna received her Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in October 2022.
Donna resides in Athens, GA with her two career-changed Labrador Retrievers, Eliza and Beauty, and her two foster-failed kittens, Cricket and Newt.