Name: Deborah Jean Gabbert

History:
Deborah's professional life has been a true “Trek” and taken many paths from scholar and educator of the art and science of human communication to working in the field of alternative dispute resolution to personal growth and enlightenment work with programs and coaching for people longing to live deeper, fuller, more potently embodied lives.
In 2011, she began a radical new phase of her life as a pet care companion - caring for and walking dogs (as well as other critters) through a fabulous locally owned and operated pet care service.
Deborah's life quite literally went to the dogs...
Initially, walking dogs was going to be an interim gig to bring in funds while doing something I love (spend time with canines) and allowing time for my soul to rest, revive and reorient, to rediscover purpose and passion. Little did I know then that spending time cavorting with and caring for dogs would reveal itself AS my future, reawakening a dream from my youth of working with animals. What I thought would be a temporary dalliance has become instead a wildly fulfilling plunge into dogdom.
When I began spending my days with dogs, I also immersed myself in personal study of canine behavior, communication and learning in order to provide the best possible experience for each and every dog in my care. In 2013 I enrolled in a local Canine Educator Internship Program with the intention of earning my credentials as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and became owner and operator of Rex-Treks.

Training Philosophy:
Deborah's approach to educating dogs and humans arises from the belief that living and learning with a dog is a journey you take together. Sometimes the path is clear and full of promise, and other times it can feel arduous and murky. Whether you are raising your first puppy or you have lots of experience sharing your life with a dog, my intention is to support your journey, providing perspective, clarity, solutions, and strategies for success, along with the possibility of even more joy.
My training practice is sourced in force-free, positive reinforcement, games-based dog training that includes but goes beyond traditional “obedience school behaviors” like Sit, Down, and Stay. Dogs are learning 24/7, regardless of whether we have set aside time specifically to focus on training, so I am dedicated to empowering dogs to make “good choices,” fostering connection and cooperation in your daily interactions that, when woven together, create the fabric of life with your dog. Private training is also about ensuring that the dog’s humans have the skills and concepts they need to create life long, rewarding companionship with their canine family member.
Using cleverly designed, deceptively simple training games, exercises and strategies, we grow essential concepts like connection, calmness, confidence, optimism, self-control, frustration tolerance and so much more. Concepts are the ingredients from which life skills are created. Training games provide a structure for developing skills and rehearsing success while having so much fun the learning sneaks up on you.
The power of games-based learning is the spirit of play. Playful learning preserves and enhances the relationship between the learner and teacher, growing your bond of mutual trust and understanding as you navigate the journey together. Teaching through play and games helps transform knowing how to do stuff into practical life and teamwork skills, and appears to accelerate the integration of new skills. According to the late child development psychologist, Dr. Karen Purvis, “It takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain - unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10 and 20 repetitions.”

Services:
Rex-Treks offers Consultation, Private Training, Group Instruction and Walking Services. Deborah works at your home, parks and some local training centers.

Consultation

• A Consultation includes a 90 minute in person session, detailed email follow up and telephone coaching to support what we cover in the Consultation and expand on my recommendations.
• Consultation $150
  (1 1/2 - 2 hours)
• A Consultation is an in-depth, customized educational session designed to illuminate the goals, struggles and questions you share with me in the Consultation Questionnaire. Your responses on the Questionnaire will help me prepare content and materials in advance of our in-person session and provide an introduction to your dog and what you would like to accomplish and create going forward.
• The in-person Consultation encompasses getting to know you and your dog(s) and the shape of your life together more fully. During the session I will provide guidance, recommendations and information to help you understand core issues from the dog’s perspective and provide you with training games, exercises, strategies and additional resources to support you in working toward the goals you have for sharing life with your dogs.
• Most private training journeys begin with a Consultation, but it can also be a powerful, productive stand alone session to explore and problem-solve unfolding issues or refresh and refine current existing training approaches.

Private Training

• Each Private training session is around 60 minutes and includes email and/or phone follow up support.
• Private Training $95/hr
• PawSome 3 Pack - $270
• PawSome 5 Pack - $425

Group Instruction

• My group classes are designed to, first and foremost, provide an experience that nourishes the relationship between dog and handler. Group classes offer unique opportunities and challenges and I do my best to facilitate an experience that is supportive and enriching as well as educational. Using training games and creative activities to foster powerful, playful learning, dogs and humans alike leave each session with new learning and a smile in their hearts.
• I am currently offering group instruction through Great Dog Canine Education Center in the Northgate area. Over the years I have facilitated puppy classes, adolescent dog classes, basic manners classes and am currently teaching a collection of specialty classes on topics like advanced basic skills, recall, walking skills, and reactivity. You can see descriptions of some of those classes below. I enjoy working with all life stages — puppies, adolescents, adults and seniors.
• Please reach out to me if you are wondering if a class is the right fit for you and your dog, or if you would like to partner with me to facilitate a class or workshop in your venue.

Walking

• Rex-Treks walks are available in 30, 45 and 60 minute increments.
• Rex-Treks Walk $30-40
• 30 minute - $30
• 45 minute - $35
• 60 minute - $40
• Additional Family Dog $5
• Can be added to a walk or session, as long as doing so will not compromise safety or training goals
• Every walk I take with a dog is sourced in playful connection and creative companionship that are the hallmarks of my Walking in Total Harmony (WITH) approach.
• From the moment I arrive to the moment I depart, my intention is to provide a recreational experience that nourishes the individual dog’s needs for movement, exploration, play, socialization, education and enrichment while cultivating and maintaining teamwork skills and essential “concepts” that facilitate harmony.
• As a trained professional, I will provide loving leadership, practicing basic life skills, leash manners and doggie etiquette; as a dog lover, I will pamper your pooch with affection, praise and play.
• Your dog and I will venture out to explore and enjoy the scents, sounds, and sights of the day as we walk, jump, romp, sniff, and scamper in the fresh air, rain or shine. Treks can include a variety of recreational elements, such as warming up or finishing up in the yard with some ball or disk tossing, local destination outings, and “pawcore” stops.
• At the end of each walk I can provide a note, text or post-trek conversation to convey the highlights of your dog’s excursion.

Certifications:
Deborah has earned and maintains certification as a Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA Knowledge Assessed) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Maintaining this certification requires at least 36 hours of approved continued professional development every three years.

Associations & Licenses

• Project Canine
  
  • Certified Therapy Dog Instructor & Examiner for Project Canine since 2014.
  • Macy and I were a Certified Therapy Dog Team/Handler from 2013 through 2022. She is retired from visiting, but still enjoys being a teaching dog for Project Canine classes.

Credentials

• Canine Educator Preparation Course — A rigorous 12 month apprenticeship and experiential program on canine development, behavior and learning with Judi Anderson-Wright MA, CPDT-KA, co-owner and Director of Canine Education at Great Dog Daycare.

Badges

• Animal Emotions — Deborah also completed the cerification in Animal Emotions. More information can be read about this at ILLIS ABC

Specializations:
Puppy training, adolescent dog training, basic manners training, advanced basic skills, recall, walking skills, reactivity

Training Methods:
Force-free, positive reinforcement, games-based dog training

Customer Reviews:
“We first met Deborah during puppy training classes at our local dog daycare, and it was the best thing that could have happened to our Black Lab, Ares. Since then, Deborah has been an integral part of Ares’s life, from follow-on training sessions to twice-weekly walks. Her expertise and passion for dogs transformed Ares from a playful puppy into a well-mannered, obedient adult dog. Deborah’s influence extends beyond training; she has become Ares’s favorite human. The excitement and affection he shows whenever he sees her are heartwarming and truly show the special bond they share. We are immensely grateful to Deborah for her patience, skill, and the genuine love she shows Ares. She’s not just a dog walker or trainer; she’s a cherished part of our family’s journey with our beloved pet. Thank you, Deborah, for making such a positive impact in our lives!
Alex & Jeannie
Ares' Family”

“Deborah's approach to incorporating the whole family in training made it possible for all of us to make it through the difficult puppy stage and develop a strong bond with our yellow lab Luna. Her wealth of resources and follow up with materials was a life saver as we incorporated her training suggestions into our home regimen. Her kindness and patience to our rambunctious teenage lab (and its humans) has never wavered. Her training techniques have allowed us to connect and enjoy our Luna in everyday activities like loose leash walks and energetic ball fetching. I cannot recommend Deborah and Rex Treks enough!
The Mansisidor's
Luna's Family”

“Deborah is without a doubt the most kind hearted, passionate, and knowledgeable dog trainer in the Seattle area. It is so clear how much she not only cares about her people clients, but truly loves her doggy clients through and through. Deborah has been a wealth of knowledge for us as we continue to learn how to train our dog. We’ve used Deborah for every stage of training - from puppy to teenager to adult dog, Deborah has been there with us through it all. She goes above and beyond in her care. With links to resources and training materials, emails and recaps, spending extra time, and texts between sessions, I cannot imagine having a dog without Deborah’s help. She’s truly just an incredible person and dog trainer. Thank you Deborah!
Devin & Gabe
Bowie's Family”

“Deb at Rex Treks is the dog training guru! She leads with kindness and compassion when helping train our dogs. Her knowledge and support are endless and always delivered with joy. She really takes the time to listen to your concerns as a dog owner and clearly loves what she does. Deb provided us with games and ideas to help transform their behavior. It is a lot of work, but we are so fortunate to have her as a resource and grateful to be her clients!
Rich & Katy
Annie and Rosa's Family”

“Words cannot express how much Deborah’s help has changed our household. We adopted a large Cathoula Leopard Hound, Spirit, with high energy and attention demands, extreme anxiety and very poor interaction behaviors with dogs and people. After a month we thought we had an impossible task ahead of us. We stopped having guests, could not eat through a meal without constant barking, complaints from neighbors and were constantly nervous on walks with her. Then we were introduced to Deborah. Deborah didn’t solve all the problems for us, instead she gave us confidence that the problems could be solved with time and patience. She gave us plenty of information and ideas on how to work with our pet. Taught us to be observant and adaptable, to work with Spirits temperament and specific traits, and to be firm but gentle with her so that she would eventually mimic our behaviors. Eight months on and we are in a very different place. Spirit has learned to be gentle in play and her interactions with others, (dogs and people), are adorable, she is playful, constantly willing to learn new things and finding her place in our home. She will always be spirited and demands her spot on the couch, but she loves other dogs, (all types), meals are a pleasure and we finally have guests over again. There is still much to be done, (the mailman, squirrels and that fiendish neighbor cat), but we know with Deborahs help we can probably solve most of those challenges as well.
Julie, Ryan & Kara
Spirit's Family”

“We are so very grateful for Deborah! We first met her at a training class that our anxious, high-needs rescue dog, Buckley, struggled in. We saw the way that she helped him through that class, and knew that her compassion and expertise would be so helpful outside of class. In the nearly 8 years she's been walking and training our little guy, she is constantly finding solutions to help him move past whatever new fear or anxiety he may be experiencing (and with him, there's always something) to help him feel more confident. And she gives us so many tools to help him in the day-to-day. She is an expert trainer and wonderful human who really gets how to support dog parents! And our dog loves her so much. We can't recommend her highly enough.
Greg & Melinda
Buckley's Family”

“Deborah has been an extraordinary resource working with us and our rescue dog who is, in Deborah's words, equal parts curious and afraid. She has helped our sweet Bea build trust and confidence as well as educate us about how Bea sees the world and how we can support her best life. Deborah continues to adapt her trainings to meet Bea where she is to help her continue to blossom. We're so grateful for her compassion, knowledge, skills and dedication.
Kelly & Brian
Bea's Family”

“Like many families, we got a puppy during the height of the pandemic. Our Labrador retriever, Kai, was so sweet and calm…until we started attending group training classes or tried to take him on a walk. Kai was a great big ball of energy who never met a stranger. Unfortunately his over excitement for other dogs and people got us kicked out of those group training sessions (twice!). We needed help and needed it quick. Deborah has been such an instrumental part of helping Kai become the amazing dog he is today. She hasn’t just trained Kai. She trained us!
Laura
Kai's Mom”

“Deborah has helped us with all of our dogs over the years, but most recently we did consulting, one-on-one training and group classes at Great Dog with Deborah when we got our puppy Ellie. We were committed to crate training and she had kinds of good tips on that and how to raise a happy and obedient pup. All the training paid off big time! Deborah shared endless resources and her talents with us to discover all of our pups strengths and now we have a dog who is confident, obedient and wonderful around all people and other dogs.
Kate R.
Ellie's Mom”

“Oscar has come such a long way from that first puppy class where he just wanted to run under the table and hide. I enjoyed every class of yours that we took. I always learned something new, and it was so encouraging to see Oscar learning and growing along with me. I just wanted to thank you for all of the work you put into these classes. It never goes unnoticed.
Laura
Oscar's Mom”

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