FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In addition to passing an independent, psychometrically sound and science-based exam to demonstrate my knowledge in instruction skills, animal husbandry, ethology, learning theory, equipment, and business practices & ethics, I am required to obtain a minimum of 36 continuing education units per re-certification period to maintain my accreditation. I attend a variety of behavior and training seminars and conferences, and maintain an ever growing library of behavioral science and training books and periodicals. I have a large network of health and behavior professionals to confer with, and am a member of the Southern California Dog Trainers Forum, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I've loved everything about dogs from the day I was born. As such, it was perfectly natural that I would gravitate toward working with them. I've worked with dogs my entire adult life in a variety of different capacities, but after I took my first dog through a training course, I was "bitten by the training bug." That which started out as a hobby, eventually became a career path.
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I am most commonly called upon to work with people whose dogs are exhibiting problem behaviors. People usually hire a professional when their dog has behavior problems that they do not know how to solve. But I also often get hired by people who have gotten a new dog, and who want to start out right and avoid common behavior problems.