ABOUT US
Teaching You to Read Dogs
We help dog professionals deepen your understanding of canine behavior so they can work with more clarity, confidence and compassion.
Through practical, science-informed education, you will learn to truly read dogs — beyond obedience cues and surface behavior — so every interaction becomes safer, more effective, and more rewarding for both dogs and humans.
We offer workshops, speaking engagements and online courses to promote the best possible canine behavior outcomes.
Our Certifications
Why Good SniffsSM
Dogs see with their nose. Dogs need their nose to understand. We start from the premise that dogs perceive the world differently than we do. When we learn to read what they’re feeling, our work with them changes.
Who We Instruct
Good SniffsSM is designed specifically for canine professionals, including dog trainers, vet techs, dog day care workers, boarding staff, walkers and shelter volunteers. If you work with dogs every day, our programs are for you.
How We Teach
Our education focuses on the relationship between human and dog, and the subtle signals that shape behavior:
Reading Dog Body Language
The Why and How of Reactivity
Nurturing the Human–Dog Relationship
Making Better Decisions in Real Time
Certified Professional Trainer
Margaret Bridges
Good SniffsSM is led by Margaret Bridges, owner of Purpose Driven K9, a certified dog trainer and dog behavior expert based in Indianapolis. A nationally recognized trainer, Margaret has a lifelong passion for understanding how dogs think, feel and behave, and for helping people build relationships with dogs that are both safe and deeply connected.
Margaret is a Certified Professional Trainer. Her education includes hands-on study in Chicago and ongoing training with respected leaders such as Chad Mackin, Jason Vasconi, Heather Beck, Jay Jack and Mark McCabe.
Her specialties include basic and advanced obedience, reactivity and aggression cases, separation anxiety, pack and people socialization, puppy development and canine body language analysis.
Margaret also breeds and raises Goldendoodle puppies and competes in agility with her dogs. Her work is grounded in ethical, relationship-centered training, blending deep technical knowledge with practical tools for reading body language, understanding reactivity and building safer, more responsive partnerships with dogs.
More to Know
- 15 years as a professional trainer
- Owner, Purpose Driven K9, Indianapolis since 2015
- Winner, White Paper Contest, "See Like A Dog" ©, International Association of Canine Professionals
- Presenter, IACP Annual Conference, 2022
- Inducted, IACP Ambassador, 2025
Professional Memberships
- International Association of Canine Professionals
- Goldendoodle Association of North America (Blue Ribbon Member)
- Volhard Dog Nutrition (Associate)
Purpose Driven K9
All Dogs Are Driven. We Give Them Purpose.
Located in Indianapolis, Purpose Driven K9 has successfully helped hundreds of families train their dogs to exhibit better behavior and lead more fulfilling lives. We provide reliable and consistent dog training results by:
Helping your dog to listen better.
Raising your puppy to be its best self.