Reno, NV
Veronica Selco
Veronica Selco is the lead trainer at imPETus Animal Training. She has been helping people achieve behavioral wellness for more than 20 years. Prior to working with dogs, Veronica worked as a Clinical Social Worker, serving families in distress. Having earned a Bachelor's Degree in Child and Family Studies at California State University, Los Angeles in 1994 and then a Master's Degree in Social Work at Columbia University in 1997, her early training was in human behavior and counseling. Her work as a post-graduate involved helping families cope with trauma, assault, abuse and terminal illness. This challenging work prepared her for the behavior modification work she does with dogs and their families.
Training Philosophy
Veronica is a pioneer in the community and strives to elevate the dog training profession and is committed to a humane and effective, modern science-based approach when working with dogs and their people. She believes that learning is lifelong and should be fun for all learners. She is an avid and eager learner herself and participates in continuing education regularly.
Services
Veronica works with dogs of all breeds and sizes and offers behavior consultation and training services for families needing help dealing with dogs with fear, anxiety and aggression.
She offers private and group training programs customized for you.
Our team of certified training professionals are committed to helping families raise their dogs with a modern, progressive and positive reinforcement approach. With food, fun and play, we help develop a strong foundation of life skills that help you build a lifelong relationship of trust, fun learning and clear communication to reliably and consistently get the behaviors you want.
We help dog parents achieve the lifestyles they want to share with their companions with specialized training programs tailored for puppies, adolescent dogs, growly doggies, sports, therapy and working dog teams. We offer the AKC Family Dog Programs, including S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen®, Community Canine, Urban Canine, Trick Dog and Fit Dog. We also offer Control Unleashed®, K9 Nose Work®, Parkour & More!
Virtual Training
Get online support and learn how to apply force free methods for focused, FUN and effective learning. We will teach you how to build communication to get the behaviors you want. Virtual dog training gained popularity during the pandemic and has shown great benefits for working with FUNdamental behaviors for puppies, adolescents and adult dogs. It's also the best way to get started with dogs with fear, anxiety or aggression!
Certifications
Karen Pryor Academy Training Partner (KPA CTP), Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI-KSA), Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) and Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM). She serves as a mentor for aspiring dog trainers enrolled in the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy. She is also an AKC Evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R. Puppy and Trick Dog Programs.
Specializations
- Puppy training
- Adolescent dogs
- Growly doggies
- Sports, therapy and working dog teams
- Fear, anxiety and aggression
Training Methods
- Positive reinforcement
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.