|
|
|
|
|
Training Director, Canine Behavior Consultant, Daddy
|
Jackie & Bugatti with their Sacco cart
|
Dogs have always played a major role in my life. I feel very fortunate to have
acquired the experience and education to be able to repay them. My most important
success in life, however, is that my daughter is proud of me.
I have always had a very special relationship with dogs and from a very
early age I was aware of the number of dogs that were being abused, abandoned,
or euthanized in the United States every year. How could grown ups do this to
members of their family?
|
 
|
|
My first dog was a German Shepard
|
As a child I wanted to believe that this was due to health problems, illness, accidents, genetic
abnormalities, etc..... and I thought that the study of veterinary medicine was the path my life
would take. My education and experience, however, has shown me that most of these dogs are lost
to us because of behavior problems, not health issues. This knowledge led me to pursue a course
of understanding and teaching canine communication and behavior to others.
I have been professionally involved in the education of pet owners and the training of dogs since
1973. I have provided consultation to businesses and families on canine behavior and understanding
throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean and, in Europe.
Working with families in many different countries has given me a broad perspective regarding
attitudes toward pet ownership and responsibility. I have come across just about every possible
behavioral issue in a variety of settings.
One of my major projects in Central America involved working with the British Army canine unit
as they transferred their 23 dog team to the Belizean Defense Force. Educating the Belizean Army
forces to understand and respect the dogs presented quite a challenge.
I have worked with families and businesses training dogs for home and personal security in
Central America, Mexico, and Jamaica as well.
While serving with the Peace Corps in Jamaica as a Mental Health Officer I was able to travel the
entire country and worked with dogs and owners in every part of the island. I also served as Training
Director of the Jamaica Kennel Club.
I have also served as training director for the German Shepherd Dog Club, the Obedience Club of San
Diego County, the San Diego Hunting Retriever Club, the the Belize Kennel Club and most recently the
Groupe genevois du berger allemand. The Swiss German Shepherd Dog Club in Geneva Switzerland.
I am nationally certified as an Animal Technician and Canine Nutrition Consultant. My undergraduate
studies were in Human Psychology at San Diego State University and I worked as a Psych Counselor for
over 15 years. My graduate studies at Cornell University in the department of Animal Science were
focused on canine behavior problems and nutrition.
In addition to assisting others I have also earned titles on my own dogs; in obedience, agility,
retriever field trials, hunting retriever trials, tracking, and search & rescue work.
My major source of income comes from working with dogs in commercial television, live stage, and
cinema. By continuing to do this work I am able to subsidize the education of lots of families and
their pets....... I get lots of questions about this part of my work. Have I worked with this
person or that person.....Yes....I have worked with pretty much most of the Hollywood crowd.....No....
I don't talk about them.....Nor do I talk about clients that prefer to keep their private lives private.
I was one of the first Senior Judges in the United States with NAHRA(North American Hunting Retriever
Association) and judged many Master Level Hunting Retrievers.
My daughter and I have been living in Geneva Switzerland for the past 4 years where I have been fortunate
enough to train with the Swiss National Team in Search & Rescue, Tracking, and Defense work. We have
just recently moved back to the United States.
I believe every dog has the basic right to an education and that every owner of a dog has the
responsibility to provide them the opportunity to be more than just 'well behaved'.
I will not deny any dog the training they deserve. My fees are always based on the owners ability
to pay and I have always been able to work out finances so than anyone can afford a private trainer
for their dog.
I never use any harsh or intimidating methods. I believe training progress is made through 'education
not intimidation. The techniques that I use are of an educated animal behaviorist. My philosophy
follows that of behavorists such as; William Campbell, Ian Dunbar, Michael Fox, and Desmond Morris.
|
|
You make not think that your dog NEEDS to be trained,
but I believe that he certainly DESERVES to be trained.
|
© 1990-2004 barkpark and level 7, all rights reserved.
|
|
