Alexandria, VA
Name: Peggy Bowers
History:
Peggy Bowers has always been a devoted animal lover, starting at age two with her first dog Snuffy, a German Shepherd. After adopting two wonderful dogs Sunny and Bailey in 2001 and 2003, respectively, Peggy started volunteering with the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (LDR) in 2005 as a foster and later as the LDR Puppy Foster Coordinator and an Adoption Counselor. As a foster specializing in pregnant and nursing dogs, Peggy and her husband successfully raised over 500 puppies in their home, many with their mothers. All are now in permanent, loving homes. After years of watching tens of thousands of wonderful dogs come through LDR and shelter partners, the desire to get dogs into homes - and most importantly, keep dogs in their homes - became a compelling force. Unfortunately, many dogs lacked basic training and many owners were guided down harmful training paths using harsh aversive methods that either caused dogs to shut down or become aggressive. After listening to many heartbreaking stories, Peggy knew that making dogs adoptable is really only half the game - keeping families together was just as vital.
Peggy has always trained dogs informally, although the thought of studying and making it a career had not really been an objective. In 2014, after a long and successful career in horticulture and landscape design, she decided to commit to her love of dogs with a career change to training dogs professionally. 'Sundogs' was born. After much study and research on positive training methods and its benefits, Peggy chose to study under world-renowned trainer, author and behavior consultant Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws Academy in Fairplay, MD. Having successfully completed 5 academies - including aggression and advanced behavioral modification - Peggy earned her Pat Miller Trainer Certification - PMCT 2. She is a Peaceable Paws Affiliate, and is a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, The Pet Professional Guild, the Association of Force Free Professional Trainers. Peggy is committed to understanding the science behind animal behavior, and staying informed on the most current force-free training techniques, ideas and scientific research.
Training Philosophy:
Sundogs philosophy embraces a positive approach to training, based on fundamental learning principles and science that promotes a healthy relationship between humans and animals. Our experience with hundreds of rescue dogs from all breeds and backgrounds allows us to bring unique insight and observational skills to canine training and rehabilitation. Every dog and owner can learn, and bringing the right technique that will work with dogs as individuals is what sets Sundogs Canine Consultation and Training apart. The holistic approach centers around 'training with the brain and not pain', and creating a working partnership between you and your dog.
Services:
Sundogs offers private, in-home instruction for people and their dogs. Our mission is to encourage and foster harmony between humans and dogs by providing quality training and behavior consultation services.
Services:
- Pre-adoption Counseling: $150.00
- Pre-adoption Behavior Assessment: $125.00
- 'Puppy Preschool' New Puppy Consultation: $150.00
- Positive Puppy Package - private: $565.00
- Individual Training - per hour, private: $125.00
- Basic Good Manners - private: $565.00
- Intermediate Good Manners - private: $565.00
- Behavior Consultation: $225.00
- Mini-sessions: $295.00
- Behavior Consultation and Modification Package: $565.00
Certifications:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) - September 22, 2016 (CCPDT website)
Pat Miller Certified Trainer 2 (PMCT 2) - June 27, 2015 (Peaceable Paws website)
Pat Miller Certified Trainer 1 (PMCT 1) - April 11, 2015 (Peaceable Paws website)
ANWI - Associate Nose Work Instructor. As an ANWI I am actively engaged in the NACSW Certified Nose Work Instructor program. The CNWI program is designed to train instructors to teach K9 Nose Work(R) at the highest level utilizing the concepts as intended by the founders.
Specializations:
Puppy training, basic obedience, intermediate obedience, behavior consultation, adoption counseling, nose work
Training Methods:
Positive reinforcement, reward-based training, force-free methods
Social Media Links:
Follow Sundogs on Facebook!
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.
