Seattle, WA
Peggy Adams-Myers
Peggy is dedicated to educating people about animal behavior and helping them solve training and behavior challenges. Peggy’s love of science, animals and teaching come together in her work at Companion Animal Solutions. After many years working in medical research, solving problems and communicating complex scientific information, she decided to put those skills to use helping pet owners. Her degree in Health Education focused on effectively conveying information to modify human behavior – the first step in changing your pet’s behavior. Her empathetic and easy-going style is focused on making the mechanics of behavior change understandable for both her human clients and their pets.
Years ago, Peggy saw how the use of correction-based training classes with her own dogs resulted in fear and avoidance rather than a confident dog. She wanted to find a way to change her dogs’ behavior without resorting to frightening or hurting them. Peggy’s science background led her to seek out dog training methods based on research in animal behavior. She now trains using force-free methods that show the dog how it pays off to get things right, and eases fear and anxiety with proven methods to help the pet feel better about scary or upsetting situations.
Peggy is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCP), and a graduate of the Northwest School of Canine Studies (CCS). She began her career as a dog trainer and behavior consultant interning with some of the top trainers in the Puget Sound. She is the former Director of Canine Safety and Training for Seattle-based Georgia Peaches Puppy Rescue, providing her behavior and training expertise to a large community of puppy and dog adopters.
Peggy has lived with cats and/or dogs for most of her life, and enjoys seeing the world from the animals’ perspective. She especially enjoys the challenge of working with fearful pets, and owners who are frustrated by their pet’s behavior.
Peggy is the owner and manager of Companion Animal Solutions. She currently spends her training time volunteering with a senior dog rescue in San Diego to help old dogs be more adoptable and comfortable in their new homes.
Training Philosophy
The Companion Animal Solutions dog training approach is as simple as it is revolutionary
We combine state-of-the-art science on animal behavior with an absolute commitment to humane and compassionate methods. We will never use or recommend methods that use force, fear, or pain. We are committed to working with the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) effective methods available to teach your pet, and you! These methods have been adopted by both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Services
Companion Animal Solutions offers a wide range of services for dogs, cats, birds, and other pets. These services include:
- Behavior Consultation: This service is designed to help owners understand their pet's behavior and how to change it. The consultant will assess the pet, answer any questions the owner has, and develop an action plan for the owner to implement that will address management, training, and behavior modification. This service is available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid service that starts with a live video meeting and is continued in an in-person session.
- Training: This service is designed to help pets learn basic obedience commands and other skills. The trainer will work with the owner to develop a training plan that is tailored to the pet's needs and the owner's goals. This service is available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid service that starts with a live video meeting and is continued in an in-person session.
- Puppy Head Start Training: This service is designed to help owners set their new puppies up for success. The trainer will work with the owner to teach them all about puppy development and get started with modern training methods. This service is available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid service that starts with a live video meeting and is continued in an in-person session.
- Kids and Dogs Consultations: This service is designed to help families with children integrate a new dog into their home safely. The consultant will work with the family to address management, behavior modification, and training needs. This service is available in-person or virtually.
- Problem Prevention/Adolescent Dogs: This service is designed to help owners prevent problem behaviors in their new dogs or cats, or to address behavior challenges in adolescent dogs. The consultant will work with the owner to develop a plan to address the specific needs of the pet. This service is available in-person or virtually.
- Services for Animal Rescue Organizations: This service is designed to help animal rescue organizations make their pets more adoptable. The consultant will work with the rescue organization to provide training and behavior modification services to their pets. This service is available in-person or virtually.
- Veterinary Partners: This service is designed to help veterinarians provide behavior services to their clients. Companion Animal Solutions can work with veterinarians to provide behavior consultations, training, and medication support. This service is available in-person or virtually.
Certifications
Peggy is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCP), and a graduate of the Northwest School of Canine Studies (CCS).
Specializations
Peggy specializes in working with fearful pets and owners who are frustrated by their pet’s behavior.
Training Methods
Peggy trains using force-free methods that show the dog how it pays off to get things right, and eases fear and anxiety with proven methods to help the pet feel better about scary or upsetting situations.
Customer Reviews
“We had a great experience working with Peggy at Animal Companion Solutions. Before we worked with Peggy, we were having difficulties training our very reactive and fearful Aussie. After an in home consultation, 4 one-on-one’s, and consistent training by my husband and I, our pup has finally become a much more relaxed and happy dog! Peggy was very helpful and worked with us closely to figure out what exactly was setting him off and not only made us more aware of his body language but helped us figure out how to train him to make him feel safe when he was scared. I highly recommend Companion Animal Solutions to anyone who feels like they need help with training, especially for reactive dogs!” K.C. – Mukilteo
“I was a bit out of my comfort zone when I adopted my first large breed, high energy puppy! Actually, that’s an understatement. It was more of a “what have I done!” kind of thing. Addressing her biting, chewing, and jumping behaviors was a lot different and more urgent than with the small dogs I was used to. I wanted to be sure I was addressing all of my puppy’s needs in a proper and positive way. Peggy came to my home, evaluated my setting and my puppy, and left me with the knowledge, resources, and confidence I needed to raise a beautifully trained dog.” K.K. – Redmond
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.