In May of 2001, I earned my
Bachelors Degree in Equine Business Management from Johnson & Wales
University. My studies included courses in animal nutrition, such
as learning
about supplements to support animals and many conditions.
It also included extensive studying of vitamins, minerals,
and nutrients, and how to ensure that a pet is receiving
the correct amounts.
My experience started out with my fourteen
year old black German Shepherd, Ketura. I had adopted
her when she was eight years old. Having her helped me to
not only learn, but to also experience how to help an older
dog live longer and more comfortably. She was expected not
to live past the age of 12, yet she lived to be 14 years
old. Ketura was born February 8,1992, and crossed
the infamous rainbow bridge on February 9, 2006.
In August of 2004, my 5 year old black German Shepherd,
Phantom, was born. I raised and trained him from the time
he was 8 weeks old. When Phantom became one year of
age, I had him evaluated for a CGC (Canine Good Citizenship
Certification), and he passed. Realizing what an outgoing
personality he had, I had him evaluated to be a Therapy Dog.
As a Therapy Dog Team, Phantom and I worked extensively
with the elderly, and people with special needs.
In August of 2005, Phantom's younger brother, Sabian, also
a black German Shepherd, was born. Raising and training
him from the age of 8 weeks old taught me a lot about how
a dog's personality can have an effect on training. For the
whole first year of Sabian's life, I was training him to
follow in his older brother's paw prints to become a Therapy
Dog. No matter how much I socialized Sabian with people,
the German Shepherd trait of being aloof to strangers remained
a strong part of his personality. Realizing that his personality
was not a match for being a Therapy Dog and that he didn't
enjoy it, I tried him out with a K-9 trainer as a Personal
Protection Dog. After a year with that trainer, I was not
satisfied with the training. I then found my
current K-9 trainer who has not only enhanced my education,
but Sabian's, as well. After training with him for six months,
he had me assist him in handling a variety of dogs ranging
from bulldogs to Malinois, to train for his clients.
During this time, I worked as a pet trainer for Petsmart.
This allowed me to learn how to work with and train a
variety of breeds, ranging from Chihuahuas to giant breeds
and mixed breeds.
The knowledge and experience that I have attained over
these years not only allowed me to be approved to be
a CGC Evaluator for the American Kennel Club, but a Therapy
Dog Evaluator
for Therapy Dogs, Inc. Having gone through their application
processes, both groups approve that they can trust
in my knowledge and experience.
Signature Dog Training offers dog training services in North Dallas, Collin County, Texas (TX) Area.
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