Name:
Dana J. Zinn
History:
Dana Zinn has been working with and training dogs since 1999. Her many years of dog training experience include working at the spcaLA as an Animal Behavior & Training Specialist. It was the time working with dogs in the shelter that drew her to the sport of Nose Work; not only for her own dogs, but for the many dogs in need of a “job” to do.
Dana was involved in the first publicly offered Nose Work class in Long Beach, CA. She not only participated but eventually assisted in instruction. From there, Dana became involved in the development of the K9 Nose Work® instructor certification program. Dana was one of the first participants to be certified as an instructor for the K9 Nose Work® curriculum approved by the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC. She is proud to have been a founding faculty member, certifying official, and judge for sanctioned NACSW trials across the country. She was also a Supervising Certifying Official, which means she was involved in the training of new COs for NACSW.
In regard to Nose Work, her learning never stops as she continues to teach classes, instruct at camps, compete in trials, and conduct workshops and webinars. One of her proudest moments was placing first in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational with Kudos, her Belgian Tervuren.
Dana has participated in a variety of canine activities such as obedience, herding, agility and of course Nose Work. Dana moved from California with her family to Golden, Colorado in 2008 and brought the sport of Nose Work with her.
Dana strives to increase her knowledge about canine behavior and instruction. She has attended and helped coordinate many seminars featuring some of the world’s most sought after speakers. One of her most memorable educational experiences was working with and learning from the renowned dog behavior expert and trainer John Rogerson. She has traveled to England and Washington state to work with and assist him on many courses including his 21-day Instructors’ Course.
Training Philosophy:
Dana is passionate about teaching and loves connecting with people and their dogs. Her workshops are fun, informative, and inspiring. She has formatted her workshops to cover topics she feels will most help nose work handlers be the best they can be, and to bring out the best in their dogs.
Services:
Dana offers Nose Work classes, workshops, and webinars.
Classes
Nose Work classes are designed to fit the needs and strength of each individual team. Classes usually meet weekly and are 1.5 hours long.
These classes are unique in that they don’t progress as other traditional dog training classes do. Students that start together in a class will move forward together as a group. The Intro to Nose Work class automatically becomes Intro to Odor, and so on, as the dogs’ skills improve. New students are not added to existing classes unless given permission to do so by Dana. If no new classes are forming, interested parties will be added to a waiting list and will be informed once an Intro to Nose Work class is forming.
Each Introduction to Nose Work session consists of six 90-minute classes and the cost is $180. All other classes are drop-ins and the cost is $30 each. Owners running two dogs in a class will be given a discounted rate of $150 per dog, per Intro session or $25 each dog per drop in. Class size is currently limited to 6 dogs.
Workshops
Dana offers workshops all over the country. Her workshops are fun, informative, and inspiring. She has formatted her workshops to cover topics she feels will most help nose work handlers be the best they can be, and to bring out the best in their dogs.
Webinars
Dana has discovered a love of webinars! Over the past year, she has developed several webinars including a 4-part series on search area evaluation for Dana Crevling and Dogs of Course, and several for Virtual Nose Work Camps.
Her webinars have received rave reviews and attendees have found them extremely informative and useful. Dana is able to put together a creative and educational package using lecture, pictures, and videos to clearly demonstrate concepts and ideas, while never losing her warmth and support of the dog and its handler.
Certifications:
Dana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and was certified as a professional dog trainer in 2005 by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Specializations:
Nose Work
Training Methods:
Dana’s training methods are focused on creating a joyful partnership between handlers and their dogs. She emphasizes the importance of understanding dog body language and using positive reinforcement techniques.
