Positive Based Trainers and Experts

A Few of My Favorite Trainers and Animal Experts.

There are many opinions and techniques used in the world of Animal Science and in the name of training but I prescribe to a purely-positive technique and thought process. I have seen the benefits of these beliefs as dogs learn and thrive. I have also seen the consequences of other training methods gone bad… I’d like to offer a few of my mentors and the experts I turn to when advice is needed. When looking for a trainer or behavioral expert please do your due diligence. Your dog will thank you for it!

Dr. Patricia McConnell

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, (CAAB) has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and dog training, and for her engaging and knowledgeable dog training books, DVDs and seminars. Patricia has seen clients for serious behavioral problems since 1988, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching "The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships." For fourteen years she dispensed advice about behavior problems, and information about animal behavior research, on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, which was heard in over 90 cities around the country.

A highly-sought after speaker on dog behavior and training, McConnell has presented seminars all over the United States, and in Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Belgium and New Zealand. In 2011 she'll be speaking in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Scotland and Madison, WI. (see Events).

She is the author of the much-acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash (which is now published in 13 languages), For the Love of A Dog: Understanding Emotions in You and Your Best Friend and Tales of Two Species. Her self-published book and booklets on dog training and dog and cat behavior problems continually receive rave reviews from professional trainers, veterinarians and dog and cat lovers from all over the world. Dr. McConnell is also the behavior columnist for the Bark magazine (www.thebark.com) "the New Yorker of Dog Magazines") and writes for many other publications, including APDT's Chronicle of the Dog and Natural History. She has made numerous television appearances, including spots with Anderson Cooper on CNN, Martha Stewart and Wayne Brady.

Patricia received her Ph.D. in Zoology in 1988 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison researching dog behavior and communication between professional trainers and working domestic animals. Her dissertation received the prestigious Allee Award from the Animal Behavior Society in that same year. Patricia and Nancy Raffetto founded Dog's Best Friend, Ltd in 1988. Dogs Best Friend Training, LLC is now owned and operated by the very capable Aimee Moore of Madison, WI. For more information about dog training classes and behavior consultation in the Madison, WI area, go to www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com. Patricia has one dog, one confident cat and a very spoiled flock of sheep on a small farm in Southwestern Wisconsin. Her two Border Collie, Willie, keeps her outside and active, and the memories of her beloved Great Pyrenees, Tulip, keep her humble. Trisha suffers from Separation Anxiety each time she leaves her dogs at home when she leaves on her numerous speaking engagements around the country.

Dr. McConnell has many wonderfully insightful books about the love of dogs and dog behavior but my two top recommendations are: The Other End Of The Leash and For The Love Of A Dog.

Karen Pyror

http://www.clickertraining.com/

http://www.karenpryoracademy.com/

Karen Pryor is the CEO of Karen Pryor Clickertraining and Karen Pryor Academy.



Karen is an active, leading spokesperson and teacher for effective force-free training across the globe. Her work with dolphins in the 1960's revolutionized animal training by pioneering and popularizing force-free training methods based on operant conditioning and the conditioned reinforcer.



Karen’s 40-year career working with and educating scientists, professional trainers, and pet owners has changed the lives of countless animals and their caretakers in zoos, oceanariums, and pet-owning households.



She is the author of six books, including Don’t Shoot the Dog!, the "bible" of training with positive reinforcement. Her most recent book, Reaching the Animal Mind, is about how to bring out the undiscovered creativity, intelligence, and personality of the animals in our lives. Karen lives outside Boston, Massachusetts.







Jan Casey



http://www.smilesandwags.com/

Jan Casey is a reward-based trainer in Florida and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services http://www.smilesandwags.com/ . Mrs. Casey is a member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Mrs. Casey is a columnist for the Cookeville, Tennessee Herald-Citizen Pet Pages and Kid's Korner .

Casey is also a friend and has trained and worked closely with my four dogs throughout their lives. She is the reason I became interested in Animal Behavior and Positive Training.

Stanley Coren

http://www.stanleycoren.com/

Do you want to fully understand your dog, be able to clearly read his body language? Ever wonder what colors dogs see? The answer is not what you might think…

Stanley Coren’s books explore what it is truly like to be Canine.

"Science may never comprehend the full extent of what dogs know about language, problem solving, the past, the future, God, time or philosophy. In the end, we must content ourselves with the fact that dogs know enough to be dogs -- which is all that is really required of them." Stanley Coren

Finally, the two books on my nightstand right now are Dog Sense by John Bradshaw and Inside of a Dog:What Dogs See, Smell and Know by Alexandra Horowitz. The best way to help our furry friends is to begin by understanding what it is like to be in their fur. It seems like an interesting place to be.