Debbie is a lifelong animal lover who has always been passionate about working with animals. She majored in psychology in college and worked at an animal shelter during her senior internship. After adopting her pit bull mix, Rocky, she realized she wanted to combine her love of animals with her psychology degree to become a dog trainer. She graduated from Animal Behavior College with honors in 2010 and has been helping dogs and their families ever since.
Training Philosophy
Debbie’s training techniques are all positive and based on the most current behavioral and animal psychology. She believes that dogs love to think and uses treats, toys, and attention as motivators to help them learn. She emphasizes that every dog learns differently and uses different approaches to fit each dog’s learning style. She makes training fun, simple, and stress-free for both the dog and the owner.
Services
Debbie offers a wide range of dog training services, including:
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Private Lessons:
In-home sessions tailored to the individual needs of the dog and owner. Packages include 3-, 5-, and 7-pack follow-up sessions, as well as single 1-hour follow-up sessions.
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Behavior Consultations:
90-minute in-home consultations to address specific behavior challenges, such as jumping, separation anxiety, chewing, barking, begging, digging, and unwanted greetings.
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Welcome Home:
90-minute in-home consultation for new dog owners to help them establish healthy habits and routines for the whole family.
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Canine Good Citizen Training or Test:
90-minute in-home consultation to prepare dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, as well as the test itself.
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Customized Solutions:
Tailored sessions to help dogs and owners achieve specific goals, such as training for a wedding cameo, therapy dog training, or teaching tricks.
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Holiday Manners:
90-minute in-home consultation to help dogs navigate holiday situations and avoid stress.
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Perfect Puppy:
90-minute in-home consultation for puppies 6 months old and younger to establish healthy habits and prevent future behavior problems.
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Advanced Manners:
90-minute in-home consultation for dogs who have graduated from basic manners training to teach them how to be polite and focused around distractions, in crowds, and even when the owner is not around.
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Tricks & Games:
90-minute in-home consultation to teach dogs tricks and games for bonding and fun.
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Therapy Training:
90-minute in-home consultation to prepare dogs to become therapy dogs.
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Wedding Day Prep:
90-minute pre-rehearsal in-home consultation and 1-hour rehearsal run-through to help dogs behave well on the wedding day.
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Basic Doggie Manners:
90-minute in-home consultation to teach dogs basic manners, such as come, sit, stay, leave it, off, relaxed walking on leash, and how to lie down.
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Group Lessons:
Group classes offered in a variety of topics, including AKC Fit Dog, Basic Doggie Manners, Canine Good Citizen Training, and Mini Classes.
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Kid & Dog Safety:
6 private, in-home dog-training sessions and complete access to a 6-week online Family Dog Program for parents and kids to learn about safe kid/dog interactions and essential training cues.
Certifications
Debbie holds the following certifications and qualifications:
- CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed), CCPDT
- ABCDT (Animal Behavior College Dog Trainer), Animal Behavior College
- B.A. Psychology, La Sierra University
- AKC Fit Dog Instructor – Level 1, American Kennel Club
- Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, Do More with Your Dog
- Licensed Be A Tree program presenter and member, Doggone Safe (organization committed to dog-bite prevention)
- CGC (Canine Good Citizen) evaluator, American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Professional member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Supporting Member, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Dog Training/Behavior Professional Full Member, Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
- Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer, Fear Free
- Certified Canine Fitness Coach, Do More With Your Dog
- AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Instructor, American Kennel Club (AKC)
Specializations
Debbie specializes in a variety of areas, including:
- Puppy training
- Basic obedience training
- Advanced manners training
- Behavior modification
- Canine Good Citizen training
- Therapy dog training
- Kid & dog safety
- Wedding day prep
Training Methods
Debbie uses positive reinforcement training methods, which means she rewards dogs for good behavior. She does not use any aversive methods, such as punishment or choke chains. She believes that positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane way to train dogs.
