Based in Fort Myers, FL · Serving Southwest Florida
Thoughtful training and home-style care for your dog. Real connection, clear communication, and support for the life you share.
Room to learn. Space to grow.
Whether you’re building new skills or looking for thoughtful care while you’re away, your dog’s individual needs come first.
Build a stronger relationship through clear communication, practical skills, and a plan that fits your dog and your everyday life.
A home-style stay with thoughtful structure, time to rest, and care tailored to your dog’s personality and needs.
A balanced day of play, enrichment, and downtime in a structured home-style environment.
The Roots & Paws approach
Training is never one-size-fits-all. We start with the dog in front of us and build a foundation that makes sense for both ends of the leash.
“Progress over perfection.
Connection at the roots.”
Your dog’s personality, history, environment, and daily routine help shape the plan. We take time to understand what you both need.
A balanced, relationship-based approach pairs thoughtful structure with encouragement and clear expectations so your dog can learn with confidence.
Small, repeatable steps become everyday habits. The goal is meaningful progress you can carry into life at home and out in the world.
Meet your trainer
I’m the trainer behind Roots & Paws, where dog training, boarding, and daycare all share the same foundation: understanding the dog in front of me and building a relationship rooted in trust and clear communication.
I’m also a veterinary technician and have a working relationship with Associates in Veterinary Medicine & Surgery. My veterinary background is another part of what shapes the thoughtful, individualized care I bring to Roots & Paws. Getting to know a dog means paying attention to the whole dog, including their personality, comfort, routines, and the ways they communicate.
My training approach is balanced and relationship-based. I believe dogs learn best when we give them clarity, thoughtful structure, and consistent opportunities to succeed. Training is never one-size-fits-all, so I build each plan around your dog’s needs, your goals, and the life you share.
For me, training goes beyond practicing commands. It’s helping your dog settle at home, navigate the world with more confidence, and learn how to coexist with the people, animals, and everyday distractions around them. It’s also helping you understand your dog so you feel more confident communicating and following through.
That same mindset carries into boarding and daycare. I value a balance of appropriate activity, enrichment, and intentional rest, with care that respects each dog as an individual. Getting to know their personality and what helps them feel comfortable is part of the process.
And you’re part of that process too. I want you to understand what we’re working on, why it matters, and how to keep building on it at home. You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out. We’ll start where you are, celebrate the small wins, and work toward progress over perfection together.
With wagging tails, Trainer Tatum
A glimpse of Roots & Paws
Learning something new, enjoying time together, and finding little moments to just be a dog.
A few things you might be wondering
We’ll start with a conversation about your dog, your goals, and what life looks like at home. From there, Trainer Tatum can help you explore the right support, from in-home lessons to Day & Train or Board & Train.
Daycare balances supervised play, enrichment, and structured rest while reinforcing household manners. Day & Train adds multiple private training sessions throughout the day to work on your dog’s individual goals.
Every dog is different. Share your dog’s routines, comfort around other dogs, and any special care needs before booking so we can discuss the right setup and whether Roots & Paws is a good fit.
Complete the inquiry form for training, boarding, or daycare to share a little about your dog and what you’re looking for. Trainer Tatum will review your information and arrange a conversation about the next steps. An inquiry does not confirm a reservation. You’re also welcome to call, email, or send a quick message below.
Fort Myers, FL · Southwest Florida
Tell me about your dog, what you’re working toward, or the care you’re looking for. We’ll find a time to chat and figure out the next step together.
For boarding inquiries, please include your requested dates.
A quick hello
Share a few details and a quick note for Trainer Tatum. We can talk through the rest together.