In my opinion, all dogs are good dogs. I focus on teaching the average pet dog owner the skills they need to train and maintain a well-mannered dog. With a little patience and a solid training partnership, everyone will have fun! I teach you to use positive reinforcement training techniques and create a custom training program tailored to each dog, person and living environment. This includes incorporating lessons with a playtime to ensure a more balanced learning experience. I can help with common problems such as housebreaking, jumping on people, walking politely
on leash and all basic manners. I can also help the person who wants a bit more advanced obedience training, trick training and some problem behaviors. I do not work with aggressive dogs.
Group puppy and dog training classes coming as soon as I can find a space!
Dog & Puppy Training
Service Dog Suitability Evaluation & Training
We can assist you in your search for a service dog by providing in-depth temperament evaluations for assessing whether a dog has the necessary qualities to succeed as a service dog. We will then guide you through the process of teaching manners, specific tasks and acclimation to working in various public environments.
Please contact us for more information on which types of service dogs we work with.
As a trainer, I subscribe to the L.I.M.A. approach described below:
"What Is LIMA?
“LIMA” is an acronym for the phrase “least intrusive, minimally aversive”. LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective. LIMA adherence also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used. 1
LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies. In the vast majority of cases, desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal’s environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counter-conditioning."
From The Association of Professional Dog Trainer's Website
In my early years of training, I saw many techniques used that bothered me deeply. I did not feel a cringing dog with his tail tucked was learning anything but fear. I am happy that advances in the science of dog training have created more humane and effective training methods.
Continuing Education:
Understanding Canine Behavior, Instructor Barbara Hendelman ME.D.
CEU Status:
18 CEU’s from the IAABC.
8 CBCC-KA,
7 CPDT-KA CEU’s from the CCPDT.
Basic Dog Training Skills & Theory Using Positive Methods, Instructor Jan Crary, CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator (Prerequiset for the 6 Week Dog Group Class for Trainers)
CEUs:
CCPDT – 15 CEUs
IAABC – 15 CEUs
ABCDT-L2 – 15 CEUs
The 6 Week Dog Group Class for Trainers, Rachel Friedman MSW LISW
CEU Status:
IAABC CEU’s-14.5
CCPDT CEU’s-12
ABCDT-L2 – 12 CEUs
Lessons in Fear and Aggression in Dogs, Instructor Peggy O. Swager
CEUs:
CCPDT-6.5 CPDT-KA; 6.5 CBCC-KA
IAABC-17
NADOI-14
PPAB/PPG-14
ABCDT-L2 – 17 CEUs
Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor: Sheilagh O’Sullivan (2016)
CEU Status:
IAABC – 9 CEUs
CCPDT – 9 CEUs
NADOI – 9 CEUs
ABCDT-L2 – 9 CEUs
Animal First Aid and CPR Certification presented by PetTech (2019)
Service Dog Training Lecture: Self-Control Exercises for Service Dog Candidates Speakers: Dee Ganley, and Barbara Handelman (2 CEU hour webinar)