I am currently in Veterinary School and I couldn't feel any happier then following my childhood dream.That said, one of my passions is training dogs, and helping people understand that "other family member". It all stemmed from when my dad came home with a dog when i was 10years old which we named "MINNIE" . She was an absolute terror. I wasn't strong enough to walk her so she was undersocialized -dog aggressive, stranger-aggressive. She was also an escape artist (she could manipulate and bend chainlink fence with her jaws to make an escape hole!) We made enemies w/ various neighbors because she barked, pooped in their lawn, or tipped their garbage can. She was black labrador, a breed usually associated w/ friendliness and a wagging tail.. she however was an exception! As a child I read soo many training books and videos on dog training, and as naive as i was i tried everything: Chock chains, prong collars, haltis but I can tell you now, the best teaching method is not intimidation, or corrections... its REWARD!! Reward can mean food, play, access to the environment, or petting -it really depends on what motivates your dog! So now my goal is to help direct other dog owners in the right path!!
I never gave up on Minnie, and she was the best teacher of all time. I was eventually able to walk her offleash, bring her to the DOG PARK, she didnt' need a muzzle at the vets anymore, and she put her paws out for me to cut her nails (she used to be absolutelty viscious when it came to cutting her nails!). I was so proud of her and me! :) After Minnie passed away in 2010, I spent 3 months dogless, and depressed, and so i knew i needed another sidekick.. and that's how FLINT came to my life. Flint was owned by a 2 year old girl that was bored of her and who's chaotic family was more than happy to give her away.
She is the absolute stark contrast of Minnie... weighing in at only 10lbs and the most submissive, pitiful, and sensitive thing when i first met her. Her past owners said she just hid in a kennel all day. She wasn't the high energy, crazy, driven dog I was looking for, however, i just couldn't leave Flint there. I remember thinking that she was cute enough that I could just rehome her.. but now i would NEVER trade her in! For the first few months, i did have to convince her that playing tug-of-war is ok, scary possessed moving objects were ok, and that, no you do not need to spew urine everywhere when strangers came! Trick training has definetly built her confidence, trust and intelligence.
Flint and I are involved in therapy work, agility, canine freestyle and she is my demo dog when i do training sessions. She is teaching me daily now, and further supporting the REWARD-based training is the way to go!
She is the absolute stark contrast of Minnie... weighing in at only 10lbs and the most submissive, pitiful, and sensitive thing when i first met her. Her past owners said she just hid in a kennel all day. She wasn't the high energy, crazy, driven dog I was looking for, however, i just couldn't leave Flint there. I remember thinking that she was cute enough that I could just rehome her.. but now i would NEVER trade her in! For the first few months, i did have to convince her that playing tug-of-war is ok, scary possessed moving objects were ok, and that, no you do not need to spew urine everywhere when strangers came! Trick training has definetly built her confidence, trust and intelligence.
Flint and I are involved in therapy work, agility, canine freestyle and she is my demo dog when i do training sessions. She is teaching me daily now, and further supporting the REWARD-based training is the way to go!
Lastly, this is my cat Huckleberry (a 11yr old smoke-colored cat)
He is a typical vet-student cat: plagued with issues that require frequent visits to an emergency hospital! Huck is an adventurer at heart and hates living in an apartment. He insists on being walked (on leash and harness) everyday past 11pm when the streets are quiet.
Huck is smart and knows a few tricks as well, but he doesnt like strangers very much and probably won't perform for you! He is otherwise the most loyal cat ever.
He is a typical vet-student cat: plagued with issues that require frequent visits to an emergency hospital! Huck is an adventurer at heart and hates living in an apartment. He insists on being walked (on leash and harness) everyday past 11pm when the streets are quiet.
Huck is smart and knows a few tricks as well, but he doesnt like strangers very much and probably won't perform for you! He is otherwise the most loyal cat ever.
