How It All Began
I have always had a passion for dogs. Born into a family of animal lovers, I grew up around dogs, cats, horses, and quite an assortment of pocket pets. Yet there was always something very special about dogs. 
After high school I ventured off to Spain and eventually came home without a penny in
my pocket but with my love, Tigre, a 180 pound Mastine Espanol.
During my college years, I worked for a large boarding kennel in my hometown. I also volunteered for an organization called Amigos de las Americas. While others chose projects to build latrines and vaccinate children, I spent my summer vaccinating dogs against rabies in the Andes of Ecuador.
In 1992 I brought home my first Rottweiler, Greta. Purchased from a responsible breeder, I was told I would have to take her to training classes and earn her AKC Companion Dog Obedience Title (CD) as part of the purchase agreement. What a thrill! Greta and I would go on to compete in both Obedience and Herding earning multiple titles.
During this time I became an assistant trainer at the school where Greta and I trained. I loved working with all the different dogs and their owners. I was hooked!
Then there was my Rottweiler, Chai. She changed everything. She taught me to find a better way to do everything and set me on the path to where I am today. She would not work if it included collar corrections or unkind words. Happy tones, treats, and toys got her attention. It was me that needed to learn how to use these instead. She thrived in using her brain and problem solving. Life was grand and we had a ball. She obtained her AKC Championship, Obedience and Herding Titles. Just before we could finish our CDX and compete at the next level she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. I lost her a month later. But the lessons were learned and the journey continues so it is partly for her that this business is named.
Since then I have earned my Certification, CPDT, from the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (www.ccpdt.org) which required me to pass a comprehensive exam that covers a broad range of canine behavior and psychology. The exam for Certified Professional Dog Trainers is administered by a national independent testing agency and is designed to provide the public with an assurance of a high level of expertise. In order to keep my certification current I often attend training related seminars and network with other trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians in order to keep current on the latest methods and research.
I currently compete with my Rottweiler Asher. He has earned his CGC, CD, and German BH. We will be trialing in the spring of 2010 to earn his CDX.
Currently I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Emerald Valley Rottweiler Club of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland All Breed Training Club, Medina Kennel Club, Ohio Hundsport and United Schutzhund Clubs of America.
I am a founding member of the Northeast Ohio Positive Dog Trainers. We are a group of canine professionals dedicated to excellence in training, behavior consulting, and animal care who use methods that are safe, humane, effective, and backed by the latest scientific research.
I am also a volunteer with the Humane Society of Greater Akron where currently I am helping to launch their new CGC program to help dogs become more adoptable.
Education:
BA in International Relations from Kent State University
Post Baccalaureate studies at the University of Akron
Recent Seminars:
2010 - Midwest Veterinary Conference 2010
- Dr. Lore Haug DVM, CABC, CPDT-KA, DACVB, MS -
- Dr. Sophia Yin DVM, MS Applied Animal Behaviorist