Emma has been with Teacher’s Pet since March of 2016, and holds a B.S. from UW – Madison in Conservation Biology, Environmental Studies, and Community & Environmental Sociology. She has had a lifelong love of animals and became especially interested in animal training after becoming a puppy raiser for the seeing eye dog organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind. After adopting her own dog, Copper, and beginning to work through his socialization and training challenges with the help of Teacher’s Pet, she became interested in learning to help others with their furry friends. The bond between Emma and her dog was fostered and strengthened through science based training methods, and she is passionate about helping others build pawsitive relationships with their own pets using these meaningful tools. She earned her CPDT-KA in 2019, and her training partners are Copper the energetic German Shorthaired Pointer, and Hazel the spunky coonhound mix puppy.
Training Philosophy
Emma firmly believes that training should be a fun, low-stress experience for all involved (humans & pets), and she focuses on methods rooted in positivity. She strives to find what motivates our pets (food, praise, petting, play, etc), and then we give them access to those things when they offer “good” behaviors. She will not use or recommend aversive techniques (choke chains, shock collars, etc.), as these have the risk of creating stress, fear related behavior problems and/or physically harming the dog. Instead, she will work with you on finding out your pet’s favorite activities or items, and she will coach you on using those to your advantage! You and your pet(s) should enjoy training as you reach your goals.
Services
Emma offers a variety of services including:
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Group Classes:
Puppy Kindergarten, Doggy Elementary School, Doggy High School, Doggy College, Gym Class
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Private Training:
Initial consultation (virtual), Traditional Training (in-person or virtual), Day Training (in-person)
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Off On The Right Paw Package:
Includes two private sessions, a group class, a training pouch, and a package of high-value training treats.
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Smart Walks:
30-minute or 60-minute walks with training and socialization elements.
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Homeschooling:
Intensive training program with multiple sessions per week in the client’s home.
Certifications
Emma is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).
Specializations
Emma specializes in positive reinforcement training methods and is passionate about helping people build positive relationships with their pets. She has experience working with a variety of dogs, including puppies, adult dogs, and dogs with behavioral challenges.
Training Methods
Emma uses force-free, positive reinforcement methods. She focuses on finding what motivates each dog and using those motivators to reward desired behaviors. She does not use aversive techniques such as choke chains or shock collars.
