Meet Our Pack
Our team of expert dog trainers are passionate about helping human companions teach their furry friends.
Shawn Thompson
Owner
Shawn founded Top Dog in 2004. He has over 20 years of canine training experience.
Cheri Ray, VP - Sales & Customer Service
Cheri is Top Dog’s Vice President of Sales & Customer Service and manages our front office. She has over twenty years of experience in hospitality and management. Like many of our employees, she was a client at Top Dog before joining our team. She easily relates to pet owners and addresses common questions and concerns new clients might have when exploring their training options. Cheri is a die-hard Schutzhund enthusiast, in which she trains her German Shepherd Baron.
Edgar Gonzalez, General Manager & Trainer
Edgar is a certified dog trainer and the general manager of Top Dog. He graduated from the Tom Rose School for Dog trainers and completed both the Professional and Master level courses. Edgar also is a US Army Veteran serving from 2011 to 2017. Edgar is passionate about working with therapy dogs and clients who truly want to progress their dogs to their highest potential. He enjoys watching dogs and clients build confidence with proper timing, consistency, and communication. His “best friend”, who we all call Maverick, is a certified Canine Good Citizen, therapy dog, and AKC novice with the Tom Rose School.
Stephanie Gilbert, Kennel Manager
Stephanie has been with Top Dog for one year and brings over eight years of experience in the animal field, including rescue work and veterinary clinics. With a background as a positive reinforcement trainer, she aligns perfectly with Top Dog’s wellness-focused training philosophy. Originally from out of state, Stephanie moved to Arizona three years ago and has three years of experience as a kennel manager, along with a decade of management expertise. She shares her home with her American Bully/Staffordshire Terrier mix, Kolden, and her muted calico cat, Smokey. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys flow arts, spinning poi, and embarking on outdoor adventures.