Good evening all... Angelique "called me out" so it is time I post again. As for my training experience, I started out in the canine industry 24 yrs ago as a veterinarians assistant working for several excellent vets. I then got into competition training (obedience) with my own dogs studying under a very well known Washington trainer before being asked to apprentise. I also worked for several other trainers and did continueing ed. workshops, clinics and courses during that time. (With Ian Dunbar, Sylvia Bishop, Linda Tellington-Jones, the aspc and abka, to name a few) I was involved with a nationally recognized non-profit, Canine Companions for Independence as the president of Washingtons volunteer chapter PSCs', public speaking, fundraising, in-home puppyraiser evaluator, trips to Santa Rosa center and training facility for team training and graduate ceremonies. Great group!! I was offered the lease on a commercial kennel at that time, where my family and I lived for 4 years, while I ran a board and train program including group classes and individual private training sessions. I also studied all breed grooming and conformation handling, working under a professional groomer and breeder, of 20+ yrs, who worked out of my facility. In my last year there, I developed a behavioral modification program for aggressive dogs, which I ran successfully until the sale and commercial development of the property I was leasing. I was then offered the position as training manager for a #200 capacity commercial kennel in Woodinville Wa. I ran the program for approx. 12 trainers, Agility, Flyball, conformation and competition obedience training. My own training consisted of group classes, privates and in-house training, for the kennel... specializing, still, in behavioral modification. (aggression). I ran this program for 8 years. That will age you! During that time, I also enjoyed competing in AKC conformation, as an all breed handler. (breeds handled to date... Collies, smooth and rough, Sheltie, Corgi, Rhodesian Rhidgeback, Flatcoat retriever, Am Staff, Boxer, Pom, Border Terrier and Puli) At the end of this "run", I was able to afford my own commercially licensed board and train facility, still in Wa., where I live with my family, for 8 yrs now, as of this December. I've been an evaluator for AKC CGC testing, still enjoy conformation handling and obedience training. Dogs have been very, very good to me! Well, that's my background Angelique. I do not endorse any one particular organization over another... ( I mentioned groups like APDT,ABC, IACP as I've received private emails from students and was hoping they'd all identify themselves and "chat".) While many of us started out as independant trainers under apprentiseships with other trainers, I appreciate the fact that these days, there's now a certification process for basic obedience trainers. In my day, it was most frustrating to have a student of 6 months, leave my classes to go to a rental hall down the street and start advertising themselves as a "trainer". (Happened once.) Of course they didn't last long, but I always had concern for their students. Today, dog training has become a much more competitive industry. I have a well rounded background in obedience training, conformation, canine healthcare and as a kennel owner and can't brag enough about my new puppy! Wingates Time is on My Side, my 2nd Doberman. Will get pics up asap. Have a good evening all.
