Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in Mind Your Manners! I am here to answer any questions you may have about your dog(s), and facilitate a healthy relationship between your dog and your family.
A little about me: I am a mother of a blended family of 8 (yes, you read that correctly). We have 3 boys and 3 girls – just call us the Brady Bunch! In addition to the gaggle of kids, I also have 4 dogs, and 3 cats – all rescues. In my spare time, I love to be active (hike, bike, run, etc.), and also have been known to paint as well as sing karaoke on occasion.
I grew up in a zoo. Seriously. My dad is a retired veterinarian, and my mother was a zookeeper. From a young age, I was fascinated by animal behavior, and I began studying it independently. I worked in the veterinary field for many years, giving me quite a background in animal health, and how it impacts behavior. I apprenticed under a local dog trainer, Kimm McDowell, at her little training center in Alger Heights. At the same time, I was training and showing confirmation (Beagles and Labradors). While I certainly appreciated the fervor of breed enthusiasts, I also felt that there was more to learn.
I began training for Paws With a Cause, a national nonprofit that trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities, in 2002. During my time at PAWS, I worked with well over 800 individual dogs, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some dogs were specifically bred and raised for the job, and some were rescued from shelters across the country. I then worked with the client and dog together to help them toward certification. PAWS clients are people with disabilities, and many of the clients had never owned a dog before (much less a working dog)! Many of my clients couldn’t physically hold a leash, or give a treat effectively. Some were unable to speak clearly, and needed to communicate through sign language. Others were unable to use their hands, and only had their voice to control their dog. Creativity and flexibility were necessary to help each individual team become successful!
My 10 years working exclusively with Assistance Dogs was invaluable in that I developed the three core beliefs that govern all my training:
1) Every dog is different.
2) Every client is different.
3) Every situation is different.
After leaving PAWS, I began Mind Your Manners. As a private trainer, I have worked with pet dogs as well as working dogs, both in group or individual settings. I also developed course curriculum for CATCH Trainer’s Academy in New York. Currently, I spend my time teaching private lessons and consulting. I still operate from my core beliefs, and my goal is to help each individual person learn how to relate to their individual dog in a way that meets their individual lifestyle and environmental needs.
I look forward to meeting you and discussing YOUR individual needs!
