Tower Anderson is the owner and trainer behind Dog Pause, based in Truckee, California. He has been working with dogs for more than 25 years and is certified through both the Karen Pryor Academy and Absolute Dogs.

Like many trainers who started in the 1990s, Tower was originally taught to use aversive training methods such as choke chains, prong collars, and electronic collars. Over time, his experiences working with dogs led him to question that approach and ultimately transition to positive reinforcement and clicker training. Today, his work focuses on building trust, communication, and cooperation between dogs and their people.

Tower specializes in helping dogs and their guardians navigate real-world challenges such as reactivity, fear, leash walking, recall, confidence building, and helping newly adopted dogs settle successfully into their homes. As the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe’s staff trainer, he works with shelter dogs, adopters, staff, and volunteers to help dogs build practical life skills and increase their chances of long-term success. He particularly enjoys helping volunteers develop their dog-handling and training skills, knowing that every positive interaction can make a meaningful difference in a shelter dog’s life.

When he’s not working with clients, Tower can usually be found exploring the Truckee area with his dog, Bagheera, writing about dog behavior and training, or teaching classes and workshops for the local community. Tower believes that better relationships start with better communication and that every dog deserves the opportunity to be understood.