Susan L. Bernhart

Susan Bernhart, owner/director and instructor is a certified professional dog trainer-knowledge assessed, CPDT-KA. She has had a a broad spectrum of education covering dog behavior and training. To be able to sit for the test for CPDT, 300 hours of actual canine instruction is required and a signed recommendation from a current CCPDT certified trainer and a veterinarian. Susan had over 500 hours when first tested 10 yrs. ago. The testing covers instruction skills, learning theory, ethology-scientific study of animal behavior, equipment, and animal husbandry, and is a 3 hour proctored test by ccpdt.org which is the top certifying organization in the USA. Many states are now requiring dog trainers to be registered within their state and be certified by ccpdt.org to be sure they have the knowledge to train people and dogs in behavior.
Susan has re-certified with continuing education units (CEU'S) every 3 years 36 CEU's including courses which had homework, quizzes, tests etc. Courses included separation and isolation anxiety, house-training, food/toy/place/human resource guarding, anatomy/physiology (vet tech prep), and many many aggression courses, webinars and conferences. Studies included a Master Aggression Course and Certificate for which 18 CEU's was given but not even needed for re-certification. She has trained paired dog aggression classes as well as group aggression classes for the last 5 years. Susan is an AKC Canine Good Citizen CGC Test Evaluator and can also authorize Tricks AKC titles.
Paws 4 Fun Dog Training has been in business in Owatonna since January 2011, training thousands of different breeds of dogs for 12 years in obedience, behavior mod, agility and aggression.. Susan has also obedience trained her own (7 dogs) as well in agility. She has the 11th ranked dog in the USA competing in AKC Masters agility in 2011, Ninja, and has multiple dogs with Master Agility Champion AKC titles and AKC national awards recognition.

Training Philosophy

Susan Bernhart uses positive reinforcement, sometimes negative (time-out-taking you and fun away), and using desensitization and counter conditioning. All modification methods used are in line with LIMA — Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive.

Services

Paws 4 Fun Owatonna offers a variety of dog training classes, including:

• Life Skills: Basic obedience, manners, and safety. This class covers walking on a loose leash, recalls, sit/down stays, learning stand & stay, learning touch, leave-it, get it, check it-find it, heeling with turns, halts and change of pace, recalls, wait-come, and handler safety protocols on walks.
• Puppy AKC S.T.A.R. Program: This is a socialization class that helps puppies get used to people and other dogs. It also covers owner responsibilities such as veterinarian care, puppy health observation, exercise plan, class attendance, clean-up, and puppy ID.
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Review: This class prepares dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.
• Tricks and Fun Run: This class teaches dogs tricks such as shake paw, high-five, roll-over, head down, sit-pretty, play bow, check it-find it, bring it, circles, crawl, and even dance on 2 legs.
• Conformation: This class teaches the basics of showing dogs in conformation shows.
• Behavior Modification: This class addresses common behavior problems such as crate training, house-training, nipping/mouthing, leash/harness reactivity, dog food dish/place/toy/person guarding, door bolting, watchdog type barking, and jumping.
• Agility: This class offers both beginner and advanced agility training.
• Aggression: This class is for dogs that are reactive or aggressive towards other dogs.

Prices:

• Life Skills: $150 Group-8 sessions-45 min. sessions. $200 Private-8 sessions-30 min.
• Puppy AKC S.T.A.R. Program: $100 - 6 sessions
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Review: $25 per 2 sessions
• Tricks and Fun Run: $40/mo. minimum - Daily Exercise - 55 x 60’ Gym
• Conformation: $100 per 4 sessions per month
• Behavior Modification: $25. per half hour for dog center training
• Agility: Prices vary depending on the level of training and whether it is a group or private class.
• Aggression: $225.-8 sessions. This course can be repeated for 8 sessions at half cost -$100. for a new dog to work with.

Certifications

Susan Bernhart is a certified professional dog trainer-knowledge assessed, CPDT-KA.

Specializations

Susan Bernhart specializes in obedience training, behavior modification, agility training, and aggression training.

Training Methods

Susan Bernhart uses positive reinforcement, sometimes negative (time-out-taking you and fun away), and using desensitization and counter conditioning. All modification methods used are in line with LIMA — Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive.