she/her
Hi, I'm Bailey Sumner
I founded Bails & Tails NW because I believe that every dog deserves a trainer who will take the time to truly understand them — their history, their quirks, and the world through their eyes.
My path into dog training started with a very personal experience: training my own service dog. What began as a necessity became a passion I simply couldn't set aside. I went on to graduate from Whole Dog Academy in 2020 and earn my CPDT-KA certification, before serving as head trainer at Sniff Dog Hotel here in Portland.
After years of honing my skills and building confidence in a range of training contexts, I launched Bails & Tails NW to offer something more personal and more intentional — training that's tailored to each individual dog and family.
I work exclusively with positive reinforcement methods because the science is clear: dogs learn better, faster, and more durably when training is built on trust and reward rather than fear or force. Every session is designed to be effective and enjoyable — for your dog and for you.
I serve the Portland Metro area west of the Willamette River, and I would love to be part of your dog's story.
My Approach
Training Philosophy
Every interaction is an opportunity to build trust. Here's what that looks like in practice.
Our Mission
Unlocking Your Dog’s Potential
My mission is simple: to build stronger, happier human-canine relationships through positive, compassionate training. After each session, you should both leave feeling better connected — and better understood.
Whether you have a brand-new puppy, a rescue dog working through past trauma, or a family dog who's picked up a few bad habits, I'm here to help you find a path forward that works for your whole family.
Read client stories