Certifications:

  • Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Fifteen years ago when I certified, I was required to have a minimum of four years and 500 hours of experience in animal behavior consulting; 400 hour minimum of coursework, seminars, and mentorship; and a working knowledge of learning theory, counter-conditioning, desensitization, training and husbandry with in-depth knowledge of assessment skills and application of dog-specific knowledge. To be certified I submitted three case studies of complex dog behavior cases along with all the materials I provided to the clients. These were reviewed by a panel of experienced behaviorists and then I met with the panel to discuss the details. To maintain this certification, I’m required to accumulate 36 hours of continuing education from experts in the field of dog training every 2 years. (iaabc.org)

  • American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen, STAR Puppy and Trick Dog Evaluator (akc.org)

  • Association of Professional Dog Trainers Professional Member and Canine Life and Social Skill Evaluator (apdt.com)

Education:

  • Pennsylvania State University B.S. in Psychology

  • Tufts University M.S. Psychology

Experience:

  • Owner/Lead Trainer Good Dog! Behavior Training

  • Clicker Club volunteer trainer NOCO Humane Society

  • Trainer for Train a Dog Save a Warrior (tadsaw.org)

  • Mentor for Animal Behavior College (animalbehaviorcollege.com)

  • Behavior Consultant and Senior Trainer for the Western PA Humane Society

Awards:

I am proud of the work that I do and proud of the awards I have earned during my career:

  • “Pittsburgh’s Best Dog Trainer 2012” by Nicole Begley’s Best Pet Resources in Pittsburgh.

  • National Association of Women Business Owners 2011 “Make the Connection Award.” For commitment and volunteerism to the Western PA Humane Society.

  • The 2010 Animal Behavior Management Alliance winner of “The Impact Award.” Through lecture and hands on experiences with shelter dogs, conference attendees learned about training basics and helped train shelter dogs to make them more adoptable. Lee Nesler, Ken Ramirez and I were awarded the 2010 ABMA Impact Award, voted on by attendees as the presentation having the greatest impact at this conference!

Continuing Education:

University of Ontario Veterinary College How Dogs Learn
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Solving Canine Behavior Problems
University of Ontario Veterinary College Canine Aggression Symposium

Survive and Thrive, DogBiz Online Business Coaching, Spring 2020

The Art and Science of Animal Training Conference 2018, 2019

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference 2017, 2022

Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expo 2007, 2012
Animal Behavior Management Alliance Conference 2010
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Conference 1998, 2002, 2010

Leslie McDevitt Control Unleashed Seminar
Leslie Nelson Really Reliable Recall Seminar

Dr. Terri Ryan Teaching Pet Dog Classes -Instructors Seminar
Sue Sternberg Shelter Dog Evaluation Workshop, Shelter Dog Aggression Workshop,
                            Understanding Dog Sociability
Dr. Ian Dunbar Concepts for Treating Dog Aggression – Fighting, Puppy Behavior,
                              Temperament and Training Seminar, Play Training Your Dog
John Rogerson Puppy Behavior and Training
Dr. Patricia McConnell Advanced Behavior Seminar
Trish King Aggression and Adolescence
Suzanne Clothier Working with Fearful and Reactive Dogs, Building Observational Skills,
                                   Puppy Testing, Canine Structure and Function – Your Canine Athlete, Understanding Adolescent Dogs
Dr. Karen Overall D.V.M Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals