I use positive reinforcement, adhering to Karen Pryor Academy’s Code of Conduct which specifies “creating behavior change plans that utilize the most positive, least intrusive, effective solutions. This means an emphasis on using positive reinforcement solutions and avoiding the use of punishers as part of a behavior change plan.” Positive reinforcement is not just about using rewards; it’s a scientific term where “positive” means you are adding something and “reinforcement” means the thing you’re adding makes the behavior more likely. The word “positive” in this term is widely misinterpreted to mean nice, happy, always with a smile, etc. This can lead to a misperception of positive reinforcement training as being permissive with bribes for good behavior. In reality, positive reinforcement is incredibly effective when done right. One of my biggest roles as your trainer is to help you understand how it really works and how to make it work for you and your dog.

I only work with dogs & their people, as a team. If you are interested in learning what makes your dog tick and how to get the behavior you want, I can work with you and your dog to achieve your goals! If you do not want to embark on that journey with your dog, I am not the trainer for you. Everyone has different abilities so I will work more hands-on with some dogs as necessary whereas I will stand back and coach other clients so they’re the primary trainer from beginning to end. Whatever the degree of my hands-on involvement, you are a critical part of the process.

Rates vary based on your needs and location. I am happy to provide you with a no-obligation price quote if you submit my contact form or shoot me an e-mail with your town and a brief description of your needs. 

KPA-CTP means I am a certified training partner of Karen Pryor Academy. I attended their 6-month training program and passed their written & practical tests in 2014; I have met their continuing education requirements ever since. CPDT-KA means I am Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge-Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. This means that I met their requirements and passed their test in 2022, meeting their requirements for recertification and continuing education every three years since then. Why should you care? I’m not saying you should. I’ve met trainers with some impressive certifications who don’t necessarily meet my expectations—they are not a universal sign of quality or excellence. Some organizations will issue credentials without requiring applicants to meet high standards. The problem is, they may be the best thing we have right now. Dog training is an unregulated industry so anyone can charge you to work with your dog. There is no required education, testing or licensing. If I were someone who brought my dog through a 6-week obedience course once a few years ago—or even if I’d never trained a dog but was an avid fan of training TV shows—there’d be nothing stopping me from creating a business card or website and offering my services to dog owners. Scary, isn’t it? When you see a trainer’s certifications, it doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily great at what they do. It does mean that they have sought some sort of outside influence or assessment and, in an industry that doesn’t require them to do so, at least they’ve made an effort. In my own case, I initially chose Karen Pryor Academy due to their high standards. I had a number of years working with dogs under my belt but I wanted to be assessed and held to those standards before I took my training to the next level. Years later, I felt that being certified through an independent organization was important so I pursued my CPDT-KA. No matter how many dogs I work with, I will keep striving for excellence and outside assessment so I can offer my clients the absolute best.