Everett, WA
Shel Graves, CTC, UW-AAB, has seven years of shelter and rescue experience working with traumatized animals and working to strengthen the human-animal bond. She is a trainer, behaviorist, and animal chaplain.
Training Philosophy
Shel Graves Animal Consulting uses positive reinforcement training to help animals (dogs, cat, humans, and all) be relaxed, confident, playful, and safe together. We provide day training and coaching services to help families resolve troublesome behaviors. We have a heart for shelter and rescue animals as well as senior dogs and cats. When animals have experienced the worst humans can be, we show them the best -- and watch them blossom! We are there for difficult transitions and conversations including end of life and grief counseling.
Services
Shel Graves Animal Consulting offers a variety of services, including:
- Training for Happiness: This service is designed to help dogs and cats live their best lives. It includes a customized happiness assessment, enrichment recommendations, treat ladder evaluation, and a management plan.
- Behavior Consulting: This service helps owners manage and resolve troubling behaviors in their dogs and cats. It includes an initial consultation, a customized training plan, email support, and access to office hours.
- Animal Chaplaincy: This service provides compassionate listening and practical advice to help owners cope with animal loss and end-of-life care. It includes an initial consultation, follow-up sessions, and a customized list of activities and suggested practices.
- Dog Day Training: This service provides in-home day training for dogs. It includes a consultation, a customized training plan, twelve sessions with an expert trainer, and three private coaching lessons.
- Shelter and Rescue Consults: This service provides behavioral support for shelters and rescues. It includes assistance with behavior plans, staff and volunteer training, and policies.
- New Adoption/Rescue Support: This service helps owners select a dog or cat that is right for their family and get them started on the right paw. It includes an initial consultation, a list of resources or training plan, and a follow-up session.
- Difficult Decisions Support: This service provides support for owners who are facing difficult decisions about their pet's behavior, such as behavioral euthanasia or rehoming. It includes an initial consultation, a list of resources or training plan, and a follow-up session.
- Trainer-to-trainer Support: This service provides behavior consults for trainers who are working with complex cases. It includes a 60-minute consultation with a credentialed expert.
- Guest Speaker or Trainer: This service provides presentations on dog or cat behavior to groups. It includes a 60-minute presentation and may include travel or customized presentation fees.
Certifications
CTC, UW-AAB
Specializations
Dog training, Cat consulting, Multi-species care, Animal chaplaincy, Behavior consulting, Shelter and rescue consults, New adoption/rescue support, Difficult decisions support, Trainer-to-trainer support, Guest speaker or trainer
Training Methods
Positive reinforcement training, Fear free techniques
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.
