Animal Smart Training
Andrea, the founder and owner of Animal Smart, started her animal training career in 2002 and has worked with a variety of domestic and exotic species at zoos and aquaria around the world, including the Texas State Aquarium here in Corpus Christi.
She is a certified dog trainer through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. Her experience includes training animals for TV and movie productions, research training with wolves and dogs, training dolphins for animal assisted therapy and working with pet parents to help them overcome problem behaviors.
Andrea is currently a professor of animal science at the Animal Behavior Institute. She teaches training courses to zookeepers, trainers, behavior consultants and other aspiring animal professionals getting their certifications.
Training Philosophy
Animal Smart Training uses positive reinforcement training, which is a method that is scientifically proven and force free. We focus on all the good things your dog does in training and use rewards to communicate what behaviors we like (for example through Clicker training). If your dog does something wrong, we help them figure out what the right behavior is and set them up for success. This makes training effective because your pet is highly motivated to succeed and it helps build a strong relationship between you and your pet.
We never use prong, choke or e-collars and have no need to because we achieve better results using positive reinforcement! Modern studies have found that training methods using 'dominance theory' are outdated, flawed and less effective. Here at Animal Smart we do believe in leadership, but know that using punishment or dominance is not the way to be a good leader. We employ benevolent leadership instead which focuses on being fair, consistent and setting boundaries for our animals to safely live in our human world.
Services
Animal Smart Training offers a variety of dog and puppy training programs in Corpus Christi, including:
- Intensive Day Training: Designed for busy people who want a trainer to build a foundation of good behavior and manners without sending their dog away.
- Private Sessions: One-on-one sessions customized to fit your lifestyle and goals.
- Service Dog Training: Training for mobility assistance, psychiatric, medical alert, seizure response, emergency response and hearing dogs.
- Bird, Cat & Exotic Animal Training Services: Training for parrots, cats, foxes, and other animals.
Animal Smart Training also offers:
- In-home training: Convenient and effective training in your dog's regular environment.
- Group training classes: To work around other dogs and distractions.
- Video lessons: To review any time.
Certifications
Andrea is a certified dog trainer through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. Kacie is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and both pet first aid and CPR certified. Joree is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
Specializations
Obedience training, puppy training, behavioral training, service dog training, bird, cat & exotic animal training
Training Methods
Positive reinforcement training, clicker training
Customer Reviews
Nancy K.
Lately my dog and I and my fiancé have been working with a very wonderful and experienced trainer to help get my dog accustomed to my future husband and his cat. This has been a tremendous help! We are so glad we have Andréa to help our family makes these adjustments.
Sharon L.
Our experience with Animal Smart was amazing. Brinkley is now a super star. Our trainer was kind and patient with me and treated Brinkley so well! I recommend Animal Smart to everyone. Keep in mind you get what you pay for and their expertise is worth every penny!
Erin E.
Awesome individual!! Super sweet, understands animals and gives great advice. She came over to help our two newest dogs and was able to explain what we needed to do in simple terms. She was able to eliminate the issues we had in a short amount of time and gave us a plan to follow in the future.
Anny B.
Positive re-enforcement classes taught me to be a better “Mom” to Dextor and Kylee. By teaching me to work with them in a positive way, they are both fun to be around. At only 8 months, Kylee can be off leash at the dog park running and playing with a self confidence that she will obey commands. Andrea taught me to be a consistent teacher to both of them. Her talent in teaching is priceless.
Gale B.
Molly was a very energetic 18 month old poodle. Animal Smart was able to make her say please (sit) within a couple of minutes. After 8 sessions, Molly is still energetic, but I’ve learned how to work with her on her terms. She knows when I put her older brother and sister away, it is time for us to work and she loves it! I no longer call her a dumb poodle! We are looking forward to the trick class next.
Alexis S.
Andrea really knows what she’s doing, we adopted a young dog from a rescue that had an extreme prey drive. She wanted to eat anything that was smaller than her and now she can touch noses with my cat. She still has a lot to learn but the improvement was incredible. All her methods were with positive reinforcement and I was very impressed and I learned as much as my dog did. 10/10
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.
