Framingham, MA
Adam Skandarani
Adam's journey into the world of dog training began with their first dog, a brindle boxer named Sansa. Sansa introduced Adam to dog sports, leading them to compete in agility, nosework, and obedience. However, Sansa also presented challenges with physical health issues that impacted her behavior and serious resource guarding. This experience led Adam to their passion for helping guardians struggling with their dogs' behavior.
Since then, Adam has immersed themselves in all things dogs and training, pursuing professional certifications, participating in conformation shows and nosework trials, and even engaging in donkey training at the Karen Pryor Academy Ranch in Washington. They are currently working towards another professional certification with their Boston Terrier, Wibble.
Training Philosophy
Adam's training methods are rooted in positive reinforcement, utilizing play, access to the environment, food, and other things dogs love to modify behavior. Their approach emphasizes understanding dogs as complex individuals, meeting their needs, and building the skills they require to navigate the world. Adam frequently collaborates with veterinarians, veterinary behaviourists, and other specialists to assist teams in identifying, diagnosing, and treating medical causes of behavior problems.
Services
Adam offers a range of services, including:
- Aggressive Dogs: Specializing in human-directed aggression and guarding.
- Teenage Terrors: Helping guardians navigate the challenges of adolescent dogs.
- Sport Teams: Creative problem-solving for sport teams.
- Recalls for the Real World: A 6-week class designed to achieve off-leash freedom for dogs and reduce handler frustration and fear.
- Virtual Coaching: Weekly one-on-one virtual coaching with video review, curated resources, and assignments.
- Hybrid Coaching: A combination of in-person and virtual coaching.
- Field Trips: Twice-weekly training outings for dogs up to three years old, including exercise, enrichment, training, and downtime.
- Seminars and On Demand: In-person seminars and on-demand webinars covering topics such as resource guarding, conflict and control, engagement and ring prep, and refining sport skills.
Certifications
Adam holds the following certifications:
- Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI)
- Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional (KPA-CTP)
Specializations
Adam specializes in:
- Human-directed aggression and guarding
- Adolescent dog behavior
- Sport dog training
- Off-leash reliability
- Resource guarding
Training Methods
Adam's training methods are based on positive reinforcement, utilizing play, access to the environment, food, and other things dogs love to modify behavior. They emphasize understanding dogs as complex individuals and building skills through a combination of training techniques.
Customer Reviews
- Laken W.: “Adam has a solution for everything! Trust the process and know that you are in knowledgeable and compassionate hands.”
- Laken W.: “[Adam] helped us develop a lot of life skills I didn’t know I was missing and helped me repair my feelings about my dog.”
- Tish B: “I trust my dog more. Before training, I was burnt out on trying to learn everything I could to the point I couldn't stomach anything about dogs. Now, I'm interested again and open to learning.”
- Tish B & Ripley: “You never feel alone in your struggles.”
- Anonymous: “At trials, before was not knowing if he would get worked up over a volunteer or other dog and be too aroused to search at his best. Now, by using pattern games in staging areas and through the parking lot he goes in to searches 100% focused and we’ve had great success.”
- Emily Adair & Fiddle: “This course is essential for any dog guardian who wants their dog to have off leash time! We have learned soooo much and most importantly I feel like I now have access to a framework of foundational skills that I feel confident working on with Fiddle till the end of time.”
Social Media Links
Media Appearances
Adam has presented virtually at Conference Unleashed 2020 & 2021, and at Over the Top Workshop for Worked up Dogs in Julian, NC, as well as presenting their popular Crazy Calm Start Lines workshop in Franklin, MA, Winslow, ME, and through Scent Work University.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
