Training Resources
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists can provide effective, scientific, state of the art help to understand, prevent, and manage your pet’s behavior.
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Trainers
It is important to find trainers that understand how to work with fearful dogs. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, but it doesn't mean that they have studied the current literature on dog behavior. A bad trainer can make matters worse for you and your dog.
These are trainers that have experience working with fearful dogs and understand how positive reinforcement is used to help a scared dog learn new behaviors and become more confident.
California
Amy Cook-Oakland
Pawsitive Tails-San Francisco
Braveheart Dog Training-San Leandro
Maryland
Pat Miller-Hagerstown
Massachusetts
Jill Haley Rose-Westfield
Liz Shaw-Belmont
Ann Dupuis-Greater Boston, Metrowest, and Metrosouth/South Shore
Marjie Alonzo-Somerville
Vera Wilkinson-Brookline
Dr. Amy Marder-Boston
Kim Melanson-Boston
Caryl-Rose Pofcher-Amherst
Leea Foran-Lenox
Carolyn Barney- Groton
Minnesota
Wallflower Class-Golden Valley
Nevada
Robin Baizel-Reno, Sparks
New Hampshire
Dee Ganley-White River Junction
Sharon Winant-Monadnock Humane Society-Keene
Anne Firestone-Acworth
New York
Jamie & Stephen McKay-Westchester
Peg Munves-Greater New York City area, including all five boroughs, Fairfield Country and Westchester County.
Rewarding Behaviors-Binghamton NY
Philadelphia
Ali Brown-Lehigh Valley, Allentown and Bethlehem
DeDe Crough-Glen Moore
Vermont
Deb Theriault-Jacksonville
West Virginia
Kitty Bowman-Falling Waters
Canada
Ontario
Lucinda Glenny-Markham
Ruth Wozniak-Newmarket
More Resources
You can also find a list of positive trainers here.
The Association of Professional Dog Trainers provides lists of certified trainers around the world. The Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers also lets you search for trainers in your area.
Questions to ask a trainer
How would you describe the type of training methods you teach?
You want to hear 'positive reinforcement' or 'clicker training' somewhere in their answer.
What was the last training book you read? What did you think of it?
Do an online search and see who wrote the book and when it was written.
Who is your favorite trainer? Which trainers have you learned the most from?
Names of well-known positive reinforcement trainers incude; Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Ian Dunbar, Pat Miller.
Avoid Cesar Millan enthusiasts (most professional trainers do not believe he's as wonderful as TV audiences do).
How long have you been training dogs?
Do you have experience working with fearful dogs?
Fearful Dogs


