Certified Dog Trainers in Willard, Missouri

I learned what I know about professional dog training by apprenticing with several different dog trainers and attending several different dog training programs, most notably the world renowned Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) for Animal Training & Behavior. I graduated from the KPA in 2010. My formal education includes a master of arts degree in higher and adult education with a concentration in adult education administration. My graduate study at the University of Missouri included work in an animal learning laboratory performing experiments to study rates of reinforcement in rats. My undergraduate degree is in science and I am a registered nurse with extensive clinical and administrative experience. This background provides me with a unique blend of education and experience which, when combined with college coursework in dog biology and behavior, pet nutrition, wolf ethology, and other continuing education, provide me with a solid framework for teaching, training, and behavior consultation. I work with dogs of all breeds and ages, and have experience with wolves, prior to and during completion of the graduate course in wolf ethology I completed at St. Thomas University in Minnesota. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers), I continue my education to maintain my certification. Highlights of my continuing education include: - Principles and Techniques of Behavior Modification, a week-long course for licensed veterinarians, vet techs, and certified dog trainers at Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic - Canine biology and ethology at Wolf Park with Dr. Ray Coppinger - Applied behavior analysis course, taught by Dr. Susan Friedman, PhD - Dog Parkour Instructor course, International Dog Parkour Association - Clicker Expo I've been an invited speaker at numerous events, including the First Annual Kyra Sundance Tridex Stunt Dog Conference, the 2025 Puppy Blueprint Summit, and more. I've given bite prevention talks for the past 15 years, and am currently a regular presenter on bite prevention at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. I was invited to present a month-long online course on clicker training for the Musical Dog Sport Association, and have been interviewed for various television stories, podcasts, and print articles on dog-related topics. My dog-related publications include articles in the Chronicle of the Dog, contribution to the APDT Top Tips from Top Trainers book (2010) and a book, Getting to Know Dogs (2014) by Australian photographer, Diane Andersen. I presented a recorded webinar on pressure wraps for e-Training for Dogs. My professional experience includes service dog training, drill team, canine musical freestyle, therapy dog work, Canine Good Citizen training and testing, professional animal handling for an advertising agency, more than three decades of volunteer work at animal shelters and rescues, and years of experience doing behavior consultations and behavior modification. I am a mentor trainer for Animal Behavior College and CATCH Dog Trainer program, and an AKC-Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Training Equipment: Clickers. No choke chain collars, prong/pinch collars, shock ("e") collars. No leash corrections. I prefer harnesses over neck collars. Training Philosophy: I apply what I know about adult learning as well as dog behavior and learning when teaching, and tailor my instruction and methods to the needs of individual dogs and their owners. My approach is learner-centered and focused on positive reinforcement for both dogs and humans. I work collaboratively with general practice veterinarians as well as board-certified behaviorists, and believe in a team approach.