516.672.6280

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Maxwell Award Winning Author- Reference Book of the Year, 2015

I am committed to providing puppy and dog owners in Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs with what they want to achieve — peace of mind, a better quality of life, a mannerly dog, and safety for their family and dog — all through positive reinforcement, in home training. Let’s bring out the rising star in your dog today!

As a CPDT-KA for over 13 years, not only am I knowledge-tested by the only independent certification council in the world (the CCPDT) I am required to earn Continuing Education Credits which allow me to provide you with the latest, most effective methods for training your puppy or dog. I also live by the  CCPDT Code of Ethics .

Please contact me and join the several hundreds of dog owners who have discovered that dog training should be positive, fun, effective, pain-free, and stress-free.

Recommended by Cary and Raleigh veterinarians – Gentle Care Animal Hospital, Kildaire Animal Medical Center, Mayfair Animal Hospital, Wellington Animal Hospital, Creature Comforts and NC State Veterinary College

Our Methodology:

Training should be Fun and Stress-Free for you and your dog.

You don’t need to be heavy handed  to achieve results with your puppy or adult dog. In fact, positive reinforcement training methods yield much faster, more powerful, and longer lasting results without the risk of unintended negative consequences that often accompany correction/punishment based methods.  The benefit to you? A dog or puppy who stays well balanced and social while learning all the behaviors that make her/him a good family member. Another benefit? Training is fun, for you and your dog, rather than the burden it is with heavy-handed, force-based trainers. And finally, positive reinforcement methods are proven to be, by far, the most effective training technique.

Be wary of trainers who obfuscate their  methods by being hazy, using terms such as “natural” or “balanced” methods. At minimum, you’re entitled to know a trainer’s methodolgy. There are only two  — the avoidance of something unpleasant, such as pain, intimidation, and force — or the pursuit of something positive, food, fetch, tug, a belly rub, etc.

When positive reinforcement training is implemented correctly, the use of a reinforcement, such as food, is faded out very quickly so that we don’t end up with a “show me the money” dog, — a dog who will only perform reliably when food is available — or a dog that we need to bribe. And positive reinforcement training is great for puppies too.

An Example of My Training Techniques

Anya 11 week old puppy

This is Anya, an 11-week-old puppy who had already learned her “stay” cue so well that she’s able to hold her position, with cheese on the floor in front of her and on the backs of both paws. This was taught with positive reinforcement training. There’s not need to use force when training your puppy or dog. Well done, Anya!

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Author, Dog Writer’s Association of America, Reference Book of the Year, 2015

Pepper Becoming

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My Interview with PETCO

“What to Do if My Puppy Seems to Be Regressing in Training”

Read Article

My Interview with PETMD

Eight Ways to Shake Up Your Dog Walking Routine

Read Interview

Credentials

  • CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) #2112724
  • AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator #77330
  • Member APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) #74163
  • Former Chair for APDT Member Relations
  • Charter Member, Pet Professional Guild
  • Author of “Of Dogs and Men” column appearing in Chronicle of the Dog magazine
  • Author “Canine Thunder Phobia” Chronicle of the Dog Magazine
  • “Rescue Reporter” for LI DOG DIRECTORY
  • Maxwell Award Winner- Reference book of the year 2015
  • Columnist, Barks from the Guild
  • Co-creator and presenter of “Transitions: Your Baby and Your Dog” program
  • Columnist for The Examiner
  • Member,  Truly Dog Friendly as Positive Reinforcement trainer
  • Presenter Doggonesafe
  • Member IAABC
  • Extensive shelter/rescue experience

Continuing Education Seminars/Lectures/Workshops

  • Science Based Training With Feeling; Dr Ian Dunbar
  • Lassie Come! Patricial McConnell, Ph. D.
  • Cujo Meets Pavlov; Kathy Sdao, MA, ACAAB
  • Storm & Other Phobias; Dr Nicholas Dodman
  • Scent Work In Dogs; Susan Bulanda CABC
  • How to Run Successful Group Classes; Rocky Boatman
  • Training Dogs With Dunbar; Dr Ian Dunbar
  • Feeling Outnumbered? Patricial McConnell, Ph. D.
  • Behavior Problems; Dr Ian Dunbar
  • Helping Fido With Your Baby; Suzanne Hetts, Ph. D. and Daniel Estep, Ph. D.
  • Walking & Heeling; Dr Ian Dunbar
  • The Art of Trick Dogging; Emily Larlham
  • Positive Reinforcement Beyond Food Rewards; Johnny Angel CDBC
  • For the Love of a Dog; Patricia McConnell, Ph. D.
  • Dominance Theory; Pam Reid, Ph. D.
  • Advanced Canine Behavior Seminar; Patricia McConnell, Ph. D.
  • From Leashes to Neurons and Psychopharmacology; Karen Overall, MA, VMD, Ph. D., DACVB
  • Rehabilitating the Shelter Dog; Pamela Reid, Ph. D.
  • Behavioral Genetics; James Ha, PHD, CAAB
  • Medications for Behavior Problems in Dogs and Cats; Louisa Beal, DVM
  • Motor Patterns and their influence on breed specific behavior problems; Ken McCort
  • Hyperactivity in Dogs, Dr. Ian Dunbar