| About Me |
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I completed an internship program in 1997 and began teaching basic obedience and puppy kindergarten classes for a nationwide training company. I taught my students the same traditional methods I'd learned, but I felt badly for the owners and dogs for which those methods did not work. I wondered why it was so difficult for some dogs, like Bastille, and I started searching for answers. I became a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and started learning why things weren't working in class and what I could do to change this. I continued reading many more and better books and attended conferences and seminars around the country. When I decided to dedicate myself full-time to dogs and dog training I took a job at the Irvine Animal Care Center (IACC) to learn all I could. It was exhausting work with little time to spend training the animals, but once again, my knowledge and skills grew as a result. I learned a tremendous amount about our pet over population problems and the difficult decisions that must be made daily by kind hearted and dedicated professionals. Eventually I found a position in the behavior and training department of spcaLA. There I evaluated and designed behavior modification programs for our shelter dogs and for dogs that had developed problems in their adopted homes. I also taught three levels of classes, trained volunteers, participated in therapy dog evaluations and assisted agility classes. This experience helped round out my professional education and helped give me the confidence I needed to break out on my own. I established Atomic Dog! in 2003. I feel there is much misunderstanding between people and dogs that might be considered out-of-control, hyperactive or aggressive. My goal has been to improve people's understanding of their pet by helping them find solutions to the underlying causes for their pet's misbehavior. As Atomic Dog! I continued instructing group classes as well as providing private consultations and teaching agility classes at a well regarded training facility. In 2004 I put my knowledge to the test and passed the Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) exam which is an internationally recognized certification for dog trainers. I was hired as a behavior consultant for IACC and there developed a comprehensive employee and volunteer training program, in addition to my duties evaluating animals and developing behavior modification protocols. When I moved to Mendocino in 2008 I decided to begin mobile grooming as well. My partner and I bought and outfitted our grooming van and I enjoy the work tremendously.. I had the unique privilege to participate with a group of trainers who took an extraordinary trip to Mexico City in 2009 to study dogs with Dr. Raymond Coppinger. This experience was eye-opening for us all and again proved to me that there are no better teachers than these wonderful animals that have chosen to hitch their evolutionary wagon to our own. After this trip I was introduced to the Third Way training system developed by Chris Bach. Her philosophy and approach has resonated with my experiences with dogs and has completely changed my techniques. I have completed the Third Way Level 1 and Level 2 certification and continue to employ these concepts in my daily training. Truth be told, my best teachers are the dogs themselves which is why I feel so privileged to work with them. |
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