Cecelia “Cissy” Sumner

Cecelia Sumner, also known as Cissy, is a lifelong dog owner who became interested in formal training after adopting a dog named Dale in 1999.
Dale presented challenges that her previous pets had not, and she began training using traditional methods but felt uncomfortable with the techniques.
She researched and found training methodologies rooted in scientific facts with data to support them, which she found to be more effective and focused on communication rather than conflict.
This knowledge helped her train Dale and gave her the desire to help others.
She enjoys training dogs to be great pets and companions, and she also enjoys the connection facilitated by competing in dog sports.
She became interested in canine agility after training Dale and has titled Dale and other dogs of various breeds and sizes in AKC, USDAA, and CPE agility.
After 15 years of agility, she decided to try a less strenuous dog sport and found canine scent sports.
She has competed with two of her dogs in several venues, earning some titles and enjoying the experience.

Training Philosophy

Cecelia Sumner believes in positive reinforcement training methods, focusing on communication and building a strong bond between the dog and owner.
She emphasizes that training should be enjoyable for both the dog and the owner and create a pathway to success.

Services

Cecelia Sumner offers a variety of dog training services, including:

• Pet Dog Manners: This group class covers essential skills for a dog to be a great companion, such as house training, polite greeting, loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, come, and leave it.
  Classes are held weekly for four consecutive weeks and cost $125.00 for the entire four weeks.
  They are limited to six dog and handler teams.
• Behavior Modification: Cecelia Sumner is a Certified Professional Consultant for Canines and is qualified to help dogs overcome behavioral challenges.
  Individual sessions are $100.00 each or four sessions for $360.00.
• Canine Scent Sports: This fun activity relies on a dog's natural sniffing ability to find hidden odors.
  It provides mental stimulation for the dog without draining the owner's energy.
  Group classes are offered, and private sessions are available by appointment.
  Pricing is available upon request.
• In-Home Training: Cecelia Sumner offers in-home training sessions to help dogs learn new skills in a calm environment.
  Her most popular package is four in-home sessions, which is often sufficient for basic manners, puppy socialization, and minor behavior issues.
  She also offers individual sessions as needed.

Certifications

Cecelia Sumner holds the following certifications:

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KSA)
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KA)
• Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
• Certified Professional Trainer-Associate (PCT-A)
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Specializations

Cecelia Sumner specializes in:

• Pet Dog Manners
• Behavior Modification
• Canine Scent Sports
• Puppy Training
• Agility Training

Training Methods

Cecelia Sumner uses positive reinforcement training methods, focusing on communication and building a strong bond between the dog and owner.
She emphasizes that training should be enjoyable for both the dog and the owner and create a pathway to success.

Customer Reviews

Cecelia Sumner has received positive reviews from her clients, including:

• Kirk D. and Gangster: "At the shelter, Gangster was a sweet, playful dog who loved all of us …Shortly after we got home, his dark side came out. ..Within a few days, everyone in the family had been bitten, with blood drawn on three of the four of us. We called Cissy… We did our imperfect best in following her strategies, and with lots of patience and paying attention, Gangster soon learned to trust us…if Cissy didn’t help us. And we’d be missing out on a most of the time loving, playful little dog. Thank you, Cissy."
• Beverly B. and Peroni: "Positive reinforcement is key to Cissy’s training and it works! Great classes in two locations. Just finished the rapid recall class and my dog loved it (So did I)! Can’t wait for the next class."
• Cindy L. and Charlotte: "I adopted a rescue dog that turned out to have lots of behavioral issues. I loved her but didn’t have the knowledge or skills to train her. I was at my wit’s end when someone referred me to Cecelia Sumner. Cissy taught us both with patience and kindness. Her ‘force free’ methods help you to understand your dog and develop a real bond. Charlotte is now a completely different dog and getting better each day. And we are having lots of fun!"
• Valerie K and Lucy: "Cissy is excellent and displays professionalism, structure, and guidance to your pet and owner. She has multiple certifications under the dog training umbrella.... I highly recommend her for any training; Thank you, Cissy."

Sean Verne is the founder of Pawprints of Vero Beach, a dog training facility that opened in December 2006. He has been training dogs for many years and has a passion for helping dogs and their owners build strong relationships.

Sean Verne believes in using positive reinforcement training methods to help dogs learn and grow. He emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding between dogs and their owners.

Pawprints of Vero Beach offers a wide range of dog training services, including:

• Puppy Social: This class is for puppies between 11 to 15 weeks of age and focuses on socialization and bite inhibition. Cost: $10 per class.
• Puppy Kindergarten: This introductory obedience class is for dogs up to six months of age. Cost: $26 per class or $128 for eight classes.
• Beyond Puppy: This class is for dogs six months and older with little or no formal training. Cost: $26 per class or $128 for eight classes.
• Rally: This class teaches owners and their dogs how to navigate an obstacle course. Cost: $95 for 5 weeks.
• Advanced Obedience: This class focuses on off-leash obedience and teaches dogs to perform commands with distractions. Cost: $95 for 5 weeks.
• Canine Good Citizen / Therapy Dog Preparation: This class prepares dogs for Therapy Dog Certification. Cost: $95 for 5 weeks.
• Beginner Agility: This six-week course teaches dogs and their owners how to negotiate agility obstacles. Cost: $95 for 6 weeks.
• Intermediate Agility: This course focuses on improving agility performance and introduces clicker training. Cost: $95 for 4 weeks.
• Off-leash Agility: This one-day seminar teaches dogs to perform agility skills off-leash. Cost: $25.
• Fun & Games: This class incorporates games into training to make learning more enjoyable. Cost: $95 for 4 weeks.
• Recall Class: This class teaches dogs a reliable recall command. Cost: $95 for 4 weeks.
• K-9 Nosework: This class teaches dogs to use their noses to identify different odors and locate hidden items. Cost: $95 for 4 weeks.

Elizabeth Callaghan, CPDT-KA, is a certified dog trainer who has apprenticed under Sean Verne.

Pawprints of Vero Beach specializes in obedience training, puppy training, agility training, and therapy dog preparation.

Pawprints of Vero Beach uses positive reinforcement training methods.

Jeannie M. Seuffert

Jeannie is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) with over a decade of dog training experience specializing in modifying behaviors associated with aggression, fear, anxiety, reactivity and impulse control.
She spent many years working and volunteering in shelters as a canine coach observing and assessing behavior. Through her work with aggressive dogs Jeannie recognized how the sensory system in dogs can have a direct effect on behavior.
Drawing on her years as an Occupational Therapist, she has a keen eye when observing how dogs move through their environment and how their sensory processing effects their behavior both physically and emotionally.
Her passion for the health and well being of dogs and deep interest in canine behavior lead her to further her studies with experts in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, aggression and canine fitness and conditioning.
She continues her studies under the tutelage of Ken Ramirez, Dr. Susan Friedman, Sue Sternberg, Michael Shikasio, and Dr. Debra Toraco- Gross, DPT.

Training Philosophy

At East Mountain Dog Training™ our approach combines years of experience and formal education in the study of animal behavior and training.
We work to minimize the use of aversive training methods and maximize the use of positive reinforcement techniques to modify animal behavior through the Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach.

Services

We offer in-person training sessions in the comfort of your home in addition to virtual training.
Providing you with input and feedback in between training sessions is just part of our commitment to supporting you and your dog through the process of achieving your training goals.

Services:

• Behavior Consultation
• Basic Training
• Kids and Dogs

Fees:

• Initial consultation is $175 for a 90 minute session
• Follow up sessions are $85 for a 60 minute session

Certifications

• Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

Specializations

Modifying behaviors associated with aggression, fear, anxiety, reactivity and impulse control.

Training Methods

Positive reinforcement techniques, Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach