What my goal is with my Concerned Canines class is to turn you, the owner, into a dog trainer. With my help, you will learn how to speak to your dog, how to listen when your dog is speaking to you, and how to handle any situation you and your dog might face together.

 

Certifications:

 

Designations: Certified Obedience Instructor

 

Job Title: Dog Trainer

 

Training Philosophy: My philosophy is to look at behavior like a river. You can't stop a river from flowing, but you can change it's path and put it to good use. You can't stop your dog from being a dog. But you can put his natural behaviors to work for you.

 

Locations Served: Pensacola Florida, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County

 

What got me started in this field was a reactive dog of my own. I adopted a small toy poodle, an owner surrender who needed a good home. After a few days, I began to notice small quirks in his personality. Any time I needed to take him outside to go potty, he would growl or snarl. If he got into something he wasn’t supposed to, and I tried to take it away, he would bite. If we tried to do anything for his coat, nails, ears, or mouth, he would bite hard. And when he bit, he usually wouldn’t give an indicator that I could see at that time. I went to a trainer, and we started basic obedience. However, my poodle wasn’t food motivated. He ate very little actually. So, trying to coax behaviors out of him with treats wasn’t an option. The trainer was sympathetic but was at a loss. When I spoke to other trainers in the area, I was told everything from “I can’t help you” to “You should choke your dog until he passes out and then he’ll start listening to you.” There had to be a better way. ​I went through a rigorous certification process. I read every book I could get my hands on and learned a lot about canine behavior simply by working in a kennel setting. I learned how dogs communicate and how to communicate with them, and then I took what I learned and applied it to my toy poodle. His behavior changed, for the better. Was he perfect? No, but we reached a negotiated settlement that made both of us happy and gave us what we wanted. I decided then that I wanted to help other people with their dogs. Concerned Canines is a start. We’ll learn how to speak to your dog and how your dog speaks to us. And together, we will help your dog. I can’t wait to get started!