Monique Williams, Cpdt-Ka

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

has been working in the animal behavior and training industry for over 30 years. She grew up with animals of all kinds, including cats, dogs, and horses. She competed in her first dog show in 1981 at the age of 11 with her Lhasa Apso in AKC conformation. She has continued to compete and title dogs in AKC obedience, Rally-O, conformation, herding tests, and lure coursing. She also bred Smooth Collies for many years under the Stonebriar kennel name. Monique went to Texas A&M University to study Animal Science, but wanted to focus on the behavior and training side of working with animals. She has held national accreditation since 2002 as a CPDT-KA through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

, believes in positive reinforcement-based training methods. She is a strong advocate for credentialling and believes that clients have the right to understand a trainer’s methods, experience, education, and code of ethics. She is committed to helping clients seek relief, change, and improvement of problem behavior. She is also committed to excellence and to on-going continuing education.

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

, offers a variety of services, including:

• The Ultimate Puppy Plan:

  This program is for puppies from 9 weeks to 4 months old. It includes 6 private training sessions, access to the Open Enrollment Puppy Class, 3 video coaching calls, a Puppy Socialization Passport, an online resource portal, 2 laminated entry-way signs, 2 treat buckets, AKC Star Puppy curriculum completion and testing, and a customized shopping list.

• Open Enrollment Puppy Kindergarten:

  This class is for puppies 9-16 weeks old. It includes a 75-minute orientation, 6 1-hour small group classes, small class size and personal attention, an Operation Socialization Puppy Passport, and extensive written handouts.

• The Ultimate Family Dog Plan:

  This program is designed to help families live happily and safely with their canine best friend. It includes 6 private lessons, 3 video call check-ins, automatic registration into the Open Enrollment Family Dog Manners Class, access to the online student portal, a training package, 2 laminated entry signs, and the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

• Open Enrollment Family Dog Manners:

  This class helps dogs succeed in real-life scenarios, such as greeting visitors, being well-mannered at the vet and groomer, and being an attentive hiking partner. It includes an orientation, 6 1-hour small group classes, and extensive written handouts.

• Family Dog Mediation Consultation:

  This consultation goes beyond dog training to explore the root causes of behaviors that are problematic for dogs living in a human world. It helps owners manage their expectations for their dog’s behavior, translate what their dog needs, and meet those needs.

• Behavior Services:

  This program is for dogs who show reactivity or aggression to dogs or people, as well as dogs suffering from fearful behavior or separation anxiety. It includes a 90-minute behavior assessment, a safety-first management plan, muzzle fitting and conditioning, 4 private lessons, 2 check-in calls, access to the online student portal, a customized shopping list, and 6 months of email support.

• Specialty Classes:

  Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

  , also offers a variety of specialty classes, including:

  • The Way We Walk:

    This class is for dogs who pull on leash. It includes 4 45-minute training sessions dedicated to learning to walk as a team with your pup.

  • Screaming Fast Recalls:

    This class is for dogs who don’t come when called. It includes 4 45-minute sessions, in the training studio and in fenced fields, gradually working your recall into more distracting situations and longer distances.

  • Spot, Say Hello!:

    This workshop teaches dogs to greet people politely with all four paws on the floor. It is 1.5 hours long and utilizes positive reinforcement.

  • Spot, Stay!:

    This workshop teaches dogs to stay in place. It is 1.5 hours long and utilizes positive reinforcement.

  • Tricks for Fun & Enrichment:

    This set of 4 private lessons teaches fun tricks such as shake, roll-over, crawl, spin, and weave using positive reinforcement techniques such as shaping and luring.

  • Agility for Fun & Confidence-Building:

    This 4-week introduction to agility concepts includes stationary and active attention, agility heeling, fitness, body awareness, and balance. Agility equipment introduced includes the open tunnel, pause table, jumps, A-Frame, and dog walk.

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

, holds the following certifications:

• CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
• CBCC-KA: Certified Behavior Consultant Canine, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
• LFDM-T: Licensed Family Dog Mediator, Dog L.E.G.S. Model of Applied Ethology
• FFCP: Fear-Free Certified Professional
• NADOI: Certificant #1087, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors; Current member of NADOI’s Board of Directors
• AKC Temperament Test Judge
• AKC Farm Dog Evaluator
• AKC Star Puppy & Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, #4616
• APDT C.L.A.S.S Instructor & Evaluator
• Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College
• PetSmart Trainer accreditation, November 2000

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

, specializes in the following areas:

• Puppy training
• Family dog manners
• Behavior modification
• Aggression
• Reactivity
• Fearful behavior
• Separation anxiety

Monique Williams, CPDT-KA

, uses positive reinforcement-based training methods. She believes that all animals repeat behavior that gets them what they want and they rarely repeat behavior that fails to get them what they want. She uses a variety of techniques, including:

• Clicker training
• Shaping
• Luring
• Verbal praise
• Treats
• Toys
• Time-outs