About Power Up Pups

Who We Are

Power Pups is owned and operated by Liz Purkaple. Training dogs was something I wanted to do when I was seven years old and even though I wasn’t raised with dogs and I wasn’t in a place to own my own dog until I was in my early 30s, I still managed to make that dream a reality! I studied for several years to learn about how dogs communicate and learn to be able to be effective with how I train.

My first dog was an English springer spaniel, River, who had resource guarding issues. She was difficult to potty train. She was reactive on walks. By the time she was four months old, something had to be done with her, so we took her to a trainer who helped us understand how to teach her to be comfortable in her world. She went on to earn her CGC, CGCA, and went to her first agility trial. She seemed a little off at the trial, so I took her to the vet the day after and found out she had congenital kidney failure which had crept up so slowly no one recognized it until it was so bad that nothing could be done. I lost her just after her second birthday. I was heartbroken but so relieved that we had only used positive reinforcement training with her. She was probably already in pain and had medical issues causing her behavior issues. If I had gone the route of using pain and punishment through the use of prong collars or leash corrections to get her to obey me, it could have caused her to have a more painful life, something I would not have been able to forgive myself for.

Because of this experience, I have immersed myself in learning how to communicate with dogs and teach them in ways that they understand which do not cause pain, discomfort, or confusion. I first was interested in fitness and keeping dogs healthy while doing sports and earned the CPCFT certification in canine fitness. While I was working as an accountant from home during the pandemic I decided to earn a certification from Victoria Stilwell Academy. This is an online program with mentor oversight to ensure that participants can train to proficiency before graduating. While both of those certifications are sufficient to train dogs, I wanted to learn more so I went back to school to obtain a master’s degree in animal science and behavior with a focus on canine health and care from Unity Environmental University.

If you want a trainer who will promise you that your dog will act like a robot in six easy sessions, I am not the trainer for you. If you want someone who will work with your needs and your dog’s needs to build your relationship so you can understand each other and live happily together, then I’m the trainer for you! I believe in creating lasting, positive changes through patience, consistency, and clear communication. Every dog is unique, and so is every owner. That’s why I take a personalized approach to training, tailoring each program to fit your lifestyle and your dog’s individual temperament. My goal is to help you build a strong, trusting bond with your dog, while also equipping you with the tools and knowledge to handle any challenges that come your way. Training isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, understanding, and creating a harmonious life together.