Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.
A. The Coaching Package is by far the most popular service I have. I work with you to teach you management solutions and training skills so that you learn how to work and build a bond with your dog. Training happens between the scheduled 'lesson' times. You are ultimately responsible for your dog's behavior. You get what you put in. You will also learn about a dog's learning patters, learning phases and schedules of reinforcement that help establish desired behavior and maintain strong responses.
Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.
A. 1) Basic training with Weimaraner: main focus was working on loose leash walking, not jumping on people, target training to 'spot' to manage food prep/meal times.
2) Behavior Consult with BullMastiff: main concern was food guarding and personal space sensitivity(including handling issues)
3) Nail trimming desensitization with Labrador Retriever with dremel tool as well as ear medication desensitization
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. 1) Are they Certified by an international accreditation organization or by a 'dog school'?
2) What methods, techniques, philosophies do they adhere to?
3) What professional organizations do they belong to?
4) Are they required to earn continuing education credits?
5) What training equipment do they use?
Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?
A. I hold an international credential that of Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed. I have to earn 36 continuing educational credits in a three year period to stay certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
Q. Write your own question and answer it.
A. Do you follow a professional standard when it comes to working with behavior? Belonging to several dog and animal behavior/training organizations, I follow and uphold codes of ethics that outline interactions/privacy between a client and to use the least intrusive / minimally invasive training techniques. To be as humane as possible, our interventions should be a uninstrusive for the animal as possible and still be effective. I follow Dr. Susan Friedman's proposed hierarchy of intervention strategies.