Leslie A. Hudson, CPDT

History
Leslie has always had a passion for pets and their people. During her childhood, her family ran an all-breed dog rescue, and she was actively involved in a couple of dog training groups. By the time she could legally drive a car, she was an active junior dog handler for the local search and rescue team, certified through National Association for Search and Rescue, a junior obedience handler for AKC Obedience trials, and a volunteer at a local dog training and boarding facility. Needless to say, with the number of dogs she saw she learned a ton.

In her adult life her passion for pets and people only grew, leading her to complete a bachelor's degree at Indiana University with an individualized major in holistic health for humans, becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Humane Educator for a nonprofit animal welfare organization, an animal assisted therapy program evaluator and manager, a Pet Tech Pet First Aid and CPR Instructor, and Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer.

Training Philosophy
We believe that being firm and having a clear set of boundaries is one thing but being fierce and forceful is just not necessary. Dogs, like many other animals, are social animals who enjoy love and family life. Let's get them out of the "doghouse" and give them more positive reinforcement to turn them into another family member. Contact us for dog training guidance and better peace of mind for you and your animals.

We use science-based, force-free, positive reinforcement training techniques. We strive to use only the most humane and scientifically supported training and behavior modification methods. We will not use any methods or tools that intentionally cause discomfort, fear, stress, or pain. Training is about teamwork and building communication and bonds that transcends lifetimes.

Commitment is a key part of our training philosophy. This means that we will commit to working together with you and your family until your training goals are reached. We are passionate about helping dogs remain safely and happily in their forever homes. That's why we are committed to providing the long-term support you may need to make that happen. A commitment to excellence, expertise, education, and safety. We know that training and education are life-long processes.

We are committed to continuing our education of canine ethology, cognition, psychology, training, evolution, physiology, neurobiology, learning theory, and husbandry to better provide your canine behavioral services. Since we feel that it is unethical to make guarantees about behavior and dog training results because each person's skills and commitment to training modification are different and behavior is very variable and complex. However, we guarantee to uphold the highest ethical and moral standards while providing the most up-to-date, positive reinforcement dog training, and behavior modification knowledge. We treat all our students, canines and humans, compassionately and humanely.

Services
Train Loyal Companions, LLC offers a variety of dog training services, including:

• Behavior Consulting: A telephone, virtual consultation, or initial meeting is an effective way to get quick support and guidance from a certified professional dog trainer. To set up a behavior consultation call or email with your availability, a brief description of your dog (age, breed, housemates, unwanted behaviors, etc.), training goals, and your questions.
• Professional Handling: A certified trainer will exercise your dog's mind and body by training your dog at or near your home. You list your dog training goals then the trainer will practice with your pup to help reach those goals. You may choose whether to be present during a professional handling session.
• Professional Training: Your pet has plenty of potential to learn and understand commands and our techniques will lay the foundation for you to build upon. List a couple of your training goals and a professional dog trainer creates a plan and will coach you to successfully reach those goals. A one-hour session can address two to five commands, goals, or questions. Sessions can be scheduled in your home, neighborhood, or community.
• Perfect Puppy Starter Program: An ultimate training starter program for puppies as young as two months old covering puppy development, handling skills, crate training, house training, grooming tips, socialization, puppy manners, beginner obedience, and bad behavior prevention. This starter program is exceptionally great for the first-time puppy owner. It includes puppy training, skills practice, handler coaching, and a written program guide.
• Courteous Canine Course: Teach your canine class with this courteous canine course! A comprehensive foundation training program for dogs of any age covers all basic obedience, doggy manners, socialization, bad behavior prevention, and more. It includes dog training, skills practice, handler coaching, and a written program guide.
• Canines, Cribs, and Kids Class: If you are a parent thinking about getting a dog there's a lot to think about, including how your new dog will react to your baby or child. While most dogs are known to be great with youngsters, it is important to not take risks when picking out a new pet. In this class, learn how to read a dog's body language, temperament test and train your new dog, introduce your dog to your family, and help to set your entire family up for success. Includes a coaching session on preparing to bring a new dog home and safely raising children around canines.
• Recovering from Reactivity Program: Train Loyal Companion's most popular program. This remedial socialization training program treats mildly reactive behaviors, including leash reactivity, barrier frustration, and fear aggression. The trainer will work closely with you, your family, and your dogs to implement a proven problem-solving process. It includes training, skills practice, handler coaching, and a written program guide.
• Canines and Cats Cohabitating Course: A thorough course filled with tips, training, and exercises to help your dog and cat cohabitate.
• Leash Skills: A class to learn and practice for taking your dog's skills off-leash. Unleash your dog's rocket recall so you can enjoy time with your dog off-leash. Includes a written take-home guide plus safety tips for hiking with your dog.
• Unleashed with a Reliable Recall Class: A workshop to learn and practice for taking your dog's skills off-leash. Unleash your dog's rocket recall so you can enjoy time with your dog off-leash. Includes a written take-home guide plus safety tips for hiking with your dog.
• Pet Tech Pet First Aid and CPR Class: Knowing what is normal for your pet is important so you can easily notice when something is not right. In addition, most of us do not have a veterinarian nearby and are available 24/7. Learning basic pet first aid is essential for pet parents. Are you interested in receiving a 2-year pet first aid and CPR certification with skills practice and training? Check out pet first aid classes. Privately hosted classes are available. Email to schedule or search for nearby classes online. www.PetTech.net
• Drill Sessions: Drill Sessions are up-to-one-hour group training sessions that meet in a public place such as a local park, hosting facility, or can even be arranged in your neighborhood. These practice sessions are a great way to practice and proof obedience, manners, and public skills. Drill sessions are not offered as an initial program but as an addition to any training program. Scheduling and availability are limited.
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluation: The American Kennel Club (AKC) created the Canine Good Citizen Evaluation to recognize responsible pet owners and test dogs on manners and obedience in a relaxed non-competitive atmosphere. The evaluation includes two parts, one requiring the owner to sign the AKC's Responsible Dog Owner Pledge, and a ten-step test that simulates real-world situations while evaluating the dog's obedience, manners, and the owner's handling skills without the use of treats and other training tools. Any well-mannered and previously trained dog can take the CGC test because AKC doesn't require the dog to previously be registered with them to earn this title. Dogs that pass the CGC evaluation are considered reliable family and community members and will receive a title from AKC. Many therapy dog programs require passing the AKC CGC evaluation to join their program. Please note, AKC does not allow teams to be evaluated by their dog trainer. Call or email for dates, more details, or to set up CGC evaluations at your upcoming animal-friendly event.
• Dog Behavior Assessment: A dog behavior assessment is a series of interactions with the dog to help assess the dog's temperament and to determine the best training and behavioral support plan. Are you interested in joining a local animal-assisted therapy program or your recently adopted dog is extremely fearful, and you need training support? Perhaps you foster for a rescue and want to have your foster dog evaluated to better gauge behavioral enrichment, handling, and training.
• Dog-to-Dog Introduction: Do you have a dog that you want to introduce to another dog with the guidance of a professional dog trainer? Contact us for advice on pet introductions.
• Humane Education Lessons: Check out our popular youth dog bite prevention lesson including a short presentation and practice meeting a canine companion. Email the trainer to set up a free Youth Dog Bite Prevention lesson in your preschool, church, youth group, or another family fun event. In addition to dog bite prevention lessons, other humane education topics are available including understanding working animal titles, adopting your first pet & pet care basics, pet safety, first aid and CPR, and pet overpopulation. Are you looking for a guest speaker, humane educator, or presenter?
• Shelter and Rescue Support: Train Loyal Companions loves to support animal shelters and rescue organizations. Does your local shelter's behavior team need help? Tell us how we can assist! Email the trainer to set up a free meeting, shelter lecture, or workshop. Lectures and workshops on various topics are available including, leash skills and safety for animal care workers,
  dog and cat body language, animal behavior enrichment, common behavior problem solutions, and more.

Certifications
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT)

Specializations
Puppy training, basic to advanced obedience, off-leash skills, reactive dog training, behavior modification, solutions to aggression, anxiety

Training Methods
Science-based, force-free, positive reinforcement training techniques