Kailua-Kona, HI
Crystina Suh
Crystina has a formal education in the behavioral sciences; graduating on the dean's list. Having over 12 years of professional animal behavior management experience working with and training over 130+ species of animals; she has worked with exotic animals, wild animals, and domesticated animals -- from large felids and canines, birds of prey, and reptiles, to primates, equines, sharks and cetaceans. She grew up around animals; learning how to ride horses at an early age and has been working at doggy day cares and animal shelters since 1998.
Training Philosophy
Crystina is devoted to educating the general public on humane, force free interactions with all animals. Creating a better understanding of our natural world leads to greater stewardship of it. She spends what time she can spare working with rescues and lower income families.
Training is not about "Obedience". Obedience is simply the by product of effective communication between human and dog.
The classic way that we, as humans, have trained animals in the past was by demanding or coercing obedience. However, Modern R+ science based training is based on effective, two-way communication and setting clear and healthy boundaries. This starts with understanding how to create an optimal learning environment where the learning itself becomes the primary motivator in any training scenario. Choice is imperative in creating cooperative behavior.
Consent is not just for humans!
Services
- Onboarding Assessment: A 90-minute session for puppies and dogs without existing behavioral issues. This includes a history of your dog, observation and evaluation, discussion of training goals, and setting goals together.
- Private Coaching: Personalized one-on-one attention for dogs of all ages and breeds. This includes a 1-hour session focused on your specific needs and goals.
- Puppy Program: A comprehensive program for new puppy parents, covering house training, socialization, chewing, biting, jumping, resource guarding, impulse control, and basic commands.
- Aggression, Reactivity, Fear, Anxiety: Private follow-up coaching sessions after completing a Behavior Intensive Consultation.
- Virtual Coaching: A stand-alone private virtual coaching program for clients outside of the service area or with extenuating circumstances.
- "Pro Vobis" Training: A supplemental program for training clients where Crystina trains your dog specific skills and goes over how to maintain trained behaviors.
- Board and Train: A supplemental program for training clients who have demonstrated a commitment to their training journey. Your dog will stay with Crystina at her home and receive constant and consistent training.
- Service Dog Training: A long-term program for serious trainers, starting with CGC certification and working towards becoming certified as a service animal.
- Enrichment Program: Crystina provides resources and personalized recommendations to get you started on your own enrichment program.
- Pet Sitting: In-home pet sitting services, including structured training sessions, play/training sessions, dog walks, enrichment sessions, and outings.
- Dog Walking: Training dog walks for current dog training clients, designed to improve leash walking skills.
- Pet Checks: Check-ins for dogs and cats that need to be let out for a potty break and some company.
- Virtual Check-Ins: Video conference check-ins for re-evaluation of your training progress.
- Homemade Training Treats: Crystina brings a variety of homemade treats to each training session, customized to your pet's preferences and food allergies.
- Custom Programs: All training programs are personalized and start with an Onboarding Assessment. Crystina will then create a custom training plan for you.
Prices vary depending on the type of service, number of sessions, and whether supplemental virtual sessions or the Pro-Vobis program are included. A 50% deposit is expected to lock in your booking.
Certifications
Crystina is an active member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA), and is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (#101989).
Specializations
- Puppy training
- Basic obedience training
- Behavior modification for aggression, reactivity, fear, and anxiety
- Service dog training
- Enrichment programs
- Hand feeding and enrichment feeders
Training Methods
Crystina uses force-free, positive reinforcement based training methods. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication, choice, and building a strong bond between dog and owner. She also incorporates game play and enrichment into her training sessions.
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.
