At the age of 11, I trained our family dog - a 40-lb Spitz - how to roll over, chase his tail and dance in a circle.
I have come a long way since then, filling my life with college, marriage, teaching at a college level and 20 years in the advertising and graphic design profession. During that time, my interest in animal behavior kept growing as I pursued my own independent studies.
Dolphin training was my initial focus. The positive reinforcement techniques used were so amazing — I was immediately hooked. Although there weren't many dolphins to train in my hometown of Chicago, I discovered that the same positive training methods produced fantastic results when applied to dog training.
In 1993 I started an in-home dog training and consulting business in Chicago. I taught competition obedience classes at Tailwaggers Dog Training Club and German Shepherd Dog Training Club of Chicago, and also earned Utility titles with my own dogs. My German Shepherd and I went on to earn titles in Tracking and Herding as well, and he even learned how to run the fly-ball course. (Tennis balls rule!)
I have been a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) since 1994. APDT provides the latest, up-to-date research on canine behavior and training, and yearly seminars and workshops allow me to continue my education, including:
| 3/12-3/14/2010 | Adolescent Dogs: Biting, Fighting, Behavorial & Training Problems | Dr. Ian Dunbar James & Kenneth Publishers Orlando, FL |
| 1/7/2010 | The Power of Pets | Dr. Patricia McConnell, PhD The Brody Project Naples, FL |
| 2/21-2/22/2009 | Canine Behavior Problems: Recognition to Resolution | Sarah Kalnajs & Pat Miller Puppyworks Orlando, FL |
| 6/28-6/30/2008 | Behavior Evaluation "Bite-O-Meter": Hands-on Workshop |
Sue Sternberg Puppyworks Orlando, FL |
| 6/12/2008 | Trainer for a Day 8 hour hands-on dolphin training workshop |
Grassy Key, FL |
| 11/10-11/11/2007 | Understanding Canine Body Language & Behavior Assessments | Sarah Kalnajs, BA, CDBC, CPDT |
| 3/11/2006 | Truth or DARE: Practical Canine Behavior Solutions | Soraya Juarbe-Diaz, DVM Brian Kilcommons SPCA Tampa, FL |
| 9/10-9/14/2003 | The Association of Pet Dog Trainers 10th Annual Educational Conference | APDT Orlando, FL |
| 4/26-4/27/2003 | Behaviour & Training | John Rogerson |
| 11/2-11/3/2002 | The ABC's of Dog Training & Dog Aggression Workshop | Thad Lacinak |
| 5/18-5/19/2002 | Clicker Training for Dogs | Pat Miller Tarpon Springs, FL |
| 1/12-1/13/2002 | Advanced Canine Behavior | Patricia McConnell, PhD Puppyworks Tarpon Springs, FL |
| 5/7-5/9/2001 | Three-Day Instructor's Workshop | Dr. Ian Dunbar Orlando, FL |
| 3/24-3/26/2000 | Training Behavior & Healthy Dog Conference | Puppyworks Lisle, IL |
| 2/27-2/28 1999 | Purely Positive Advanced Obedience Training | Patty Ruzzo Dogskills Adventure Dublin, OH |
| 11/13-11/15/1998 | '98 Training Dogs & People | APDT - Fifth Annual Educational Conference King of Prussia, PA |
| 11/21-11/23/1997 | Training People & Dogs | APDT - Fourth Annual Educational Conference Memphis, TN |
| 9/26/1997 | Understanding & Recognizing Stress, Handling Skills for Difficult & Aggressive Dogs. Training Dogs in a Shelter | Sue Sternberg Puppyworks Chicago, IL |
| 5/4/1997 | Fears & Phobias & Compulsive Disorders | Wayne Hunthausen, DVM Puppyworks, Naperville, IL |
| 10/19-10/26/1996 | Aggression: The World of Love & Hatred | Dr. Roger Abrantes Puppyworks, Naperville, IL |
| 6/1-6/2/1996 | Excel-erated Learning! | Pamela J. Reid, PhD Chicago, IL |
| 11/10-11/12/1995 | Training People & Dogs in the '90's | APDT - |
