Johannesburg, MI
Drop the Leash LLC Dog Training & Behavior Consulting
Valeria Cascaddan, the owner of Drop the Leash LLC, has over 30 years of experience in the animal care industry. She started her journey with traditional correction-based training but later transitioned to positive reinforcement methods after realizing the negative impact of punishment on dogs. She has been a 4H Dog Training Instructor, a Board of Directors member of Friends for Life, and a Master Trainer at the National K9 School for Dog Trainers. She is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), and a dual Licensed Family Dog Mediator® in the behavior division (LFDM-B) and training division (LFDM-T).
Training Philosophy
Valeria believes in using positive reinforcement methods to help dogs learn and succeed. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the dog's perspective and using humane, science-based strategies to encourage desirable behaviors and reduce unwanted ones. She is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest research in behavior analysis, animal behavior, teaching, and learning.
Services
Drop the Leash LLC offers a variety of services, including:
- Virtual Consultations: Personalized consultations conducted via Zoom, where Valeria discusses your goals and challenges, offering tailored advice and strategies to start you on your path to success.
- Canine Connections Kickstart: This FREE online video program is designed to jumpstart your journey toward understanding and changing behaviors, focusing on establishing a strong foundation for learning and connection.
- Family Dog Connections: Aimed at integrating your dog harmoniously into family life, this series of on-demand video programs guides you to a successful lifestyle with your family dog and promotes connection and understanding through the sciences of canine behavior.
- Family Dog Mediation: A focused 1-hour Zoom session designed to ease challenges for dogs and puppies struggling to navigate the complexities of our human world, ensuring peaceful living together for your puppy or adult dog in your home.
- Behavior Blueprint Consultation: A 30-minute private Zoom consultation that includes a review of your dog's K9 History form to help you better understand their behavior and the next steps that you can take to address any issues.
- Family Dog Roundtable: A collaborative forum where family dog guardians gather to leverage and share experiences, insights, and solutions in their journey of canine companionship.
- In-person workshops and group events: Valeria occasionally hosts in-person workshops and group events.
Certifications
Valeria Cascaddan holds the following certifications and licenses:
- Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
- Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)
- Licensed Family Dog Mediator® in the behavior division (LFDM-B)
- Licensed Family Dog Mediator® in the training division (LFDM-T)
Specializations
Valeria specializes in providing training and education for both the human and canine end of the leash. She is particularly passionate about helping dogs with aggression, fear, and anxiety. She also offers services for puppy training, socialization, and basic obedience.
Training Methods
Valeria uses positive reinforcement methods, which focus on rewarding desired behaviors to encourage their repetition. She does not use or advocate for training methods that involve choke chains, pinch collars, shock collars, throw cans, water spray, dominance rolls, or throw chains.
Customer Reviews
Mary B.: "My lab Idgie, and I are profoundly grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to work with such a professional as Valeria. I have specific cognitive and physical challenges, but she has been nothing short of awesome. She’s knowledgeable, highly educated, and patient with us, individually and collectively. We value her instruction and input and have, in a short time, learned a great deal from her via guidance, instruction, and demeanor. She has always been punctual, kind, and very good at verbal and written communication. She has indeed provided us with successful and positive outcomes. We have been blessed to have her in our lives. We have recommended Valeria to our friends and family, who have consistently validated our progress. Thank you!"
Social Media Links
Media Appearances
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.
