Johannesburg, MI
Valeria Cascaddan has over 30 years of experience in the animal care industry. She started her journey with her own dog, Abbie, a Standard Poodle, and trained her in high-level obedience, personal protection, assistant dog tasks, scent detection, and tracking. She later adopted an English Bull Terrier named Rippy, who helped her transition from correction-based training to positive reinforcement methods. Valeria is passionate about teaching both dogs and people and is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest information in behavior analysis, animal behavior, canine ethology, teaching, and learning.
Training Philosophy
Valeria Cascaddan believes in using positive reinforcement methods to help dogs learn and succeed. She emphasizes the importance of understanding a dog's true nature and how to nurture their behavior effectively. Her approach is based on the latest research in animal behavior and learning, and she strives to create a positive learning environment for both dogs and their owners.
Services
- 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.
- 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 Mediation Consultation: A 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.
- 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.
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 Cascaddan specializes in providing training and education for both the human and canine end of the leash. She is a Canine Behavior Consultant and Family Dog Mediator, and she is experienced in working with dogs of all breeds and ages. She is particularly passionate about helping dogs with aggression, fear, and anxiety.
Training Methods
Valeria Cascaddan uses positive reinforcement methods, which focus on rewarding desired behaviors and ignoring or redirecting unwanted behaviors. 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
“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!”
Mary B.
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.
