Our Team
Anthony Powers
Anthony discovered his love for dog training when he began working with his personal dog, Andy, an Anatolian Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix. After rescuing Andy, Anthony quickly realized the challenges of handling a high-energy, large-breed working dog. Unsure of where to start, he sought professional dog training to guide him through the process. As his bond with Andy grew, Anthony realized how transformative training could be—not just for the dog, but for the relationship between owner and pet. Inspired by this experience, he became determined to help others struggling with their own dogs.
Having trained over 250 dogs, Anthony found that his true passion lies in helping dogs overcome fear, anxiety, aggression, and reactivity. He quickly honed his skills in addressing these unique behavioral challenges and decided to specialize in working with dogs facing these struggles. Anthony is dedicated to providing a compassionate, results-driven approach to dog training, helping both dogs and their owners build stronger, more harmonious relationships.
When he’s not training dogs, you can find Anthony riding his motorcycle, hanging out with friends, or exploring new places around San Diego with his wife. As a huge foodie, he loves discovering new restaurants and savoring unique flavors throughout the city.
OWNER, LEAD TRAINER
Colleen Powers
Colleen is passionate about helping dogs and their families build strong, lasting relationships. Her journey into dog training began when she witnessed the transformative power of training firsthand with her own dog. The improvement in their bond and communication was truly eye-opening, and she knew then that she wanted to help others experience that same positive change.
With over 5 years of professional dog training experience, she specializes in addressing fear, aggression, and reactivity in dogs. Colleen understands how challenging these behaviors can be, both for the dog and the family, and is committed to creating personalized, effective solutions that work.
Colleen believes in using a balanced, compassionate approach to training. By utilizing all four quadrants of operant conditioning, she tailors her methods to each dog’s unique needs, ensuring that the techniques used are appropriate for both the individual dog and their family dynamics. Whether you’re dealing with a fearful dog, a reactive one, or anything in between, her goal is always to improve your relationship and help you create a calm, confident, and well-behaved dog.
When Colleen is not training dogs, you can find her reading a good book, exploring new coffee shops with her husband, or soaking up the sun at the beach. She also loves spending time with her friends and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
OWNER, LEAD TRAINER
Ella Schwanke
Ella is a passionate professional dog trainer with over five years of experience working with a variety of animal species. Her love for animal behavior and training led her to specialize in dogs, where she’s gained extensive knowledge and hands-on experience at Powers Canine.
Ella finds joy in helping dogs and their owners build stronger relationships through effective training. Outside of her work, Ella enjoys exploring new restaurants, always on the lookout for new culinary experiences. Whether she's working with a dog or trying out a new dish, Ella brings enthusiasm and curiosity to everything she does.
TRAINER
Sami
Sami is a former teacher turned business manager and virtual assistant dedicated to helping small businesses grow and thrive. With a passion for organization, strategy, and creative problem-solving, she provides the support Powers Canine needs to streamline their operations, strengthen their brand, and focus on what they do best.
After stepping away from the classroom, she embraced her love for business management and entrepreneurship, building a career centered on supporting small business owners with the tools and systems that drives success. From behind-the-scenes operations to client communications and marketing, she helps businesses run smoothly and efficiently.
Living in beautiful San Diego, she thrives on being active, bringing creative ideas to life, and helping businesses reach their full potential.
Her mission is to inspire growth and provide the support for Powers Canine to create better behavior and stronger bonds for all dogs and their owners.
BUSINESS MANAGER