Bio
I always grew up around dogs. Besides my family's canines, every
neighbor and friend in Suburban Ohio had a dog too. I've always loved
animals, and always had a good rapport with them - for whatever reason, they
seek me out and I respond (including the many stray cats I fed in Nashville).
My last family pet proved to be a challenge - a strong-willed Dalmatian by the
name of Lady MacBeth. MacBeth was not only stubborn, but completely
insensitive to physical corrections. A failed attempt at obedience school
disturbed me - I knew those leash pops weren't really training her. The work I
did with her at home seemed far more effective - and she respected me when
I did discipline her. I knew there was a better way to train a dog, a way that
exhibited more love and positivity.
When I moved to New York in 1997, I sadly gave up any thoughts of
keeping a dog in my tiny shoebox apartment and left MacBeth with my
parents. I found myself greeting every dog I saw on the sidewalk and
purposely sitting in the middle of Frisbee games at the park hoping to
run into something furry. I resigned myself to being a cat owner as I led the
busy life of a dot-commer and musician.
When the economy crashed I found myself without a job in early 2002. An
afternoon of soul searching made me realize what I really loved - dogs! I
thought about my sister's volunteer job at Fidelco, a seeing eye dog
foundation. Think of that! Dogs who so incredibly enrich people's lives. But
wait....shouldn't all dogs enrich their owner's lives? In the case of my
dalmatian, she unfortunately could be a source of aggravation. What if
someone had made the relationship between her and us a little easier? What
if that person was me? Further research led me to the Animal Behavior
College, a respected college based out of California that teaches people how
to be dog obedience trainers. I enrolled with enthusiasm. Eight months, 2
apprenticeships, and many dogs later, I graduated and started my
professional career as a dog trainer.
I am a member of the Animal Behavior Training Associates, and the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the largest accrediting organization for
trainers, as well as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. I read - every day
- articles, magazines, books on dog training and psychology. Even though
we've lived with dogs for hundreds of years, the dog industry is constantly
changing and updating itself. There's always more to learn and more to
experience. Continuing education is an important part of the career, as any
good trainer will tell you.
I now teach group classes at Canine Kindergarten, as well as private lessons
to a variety of clients. I spend much of my time observing and training dogs at
Canine Kindergarten's daycare facility. I have devoted myself to dogs and
their relationships with their humans. Every day brings a new challenge and
delight in the world of dog training.
My newest addition to the family is Indiana, a hound/retriever mix. He came
from North Shore Animal League, and has been a delight. I'm reminded of all
the crazy things puppies do - good and bad, and how much work they are.
But he's smart and learns quickly, and will do anything for a piece of
dehydrated liver. He seems like the perfect dog to be my mascot, and I look
forward to teaching him everything I've taught other people's dogs. Indiana
shares my home with my husband, Caleb, and Monet, my 1older but spunky
cat.
Contact Holly
