The following is from an interview I did for the January, 1998 issue of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Newsletter:
A: I
have had my own business since 1989.
Q: What is the name of your business (mention if there is a hidden/special meaning behind it)?
A:
My business is called Animal Attraction Unlimited. I think at the time I was
thinking I had never met an animal I didn't like, or that didn't like me.
Therefore, I had an unlimited amount of "animal attraction". But
otherwise, no, there is no meaning behind it. I just thought it sounded cool.
A: I
am in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. I have clients in
the Valley, on the West side (Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, etc.)
Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and the East part of Ventura County. I have gone as
far as Glendora, West Covina and Palmdale to train Pot-Bellied pigs.
Q: What
types of services do you provide (e.g., group, individual, behavior modification
vs. obedience classes, and mention anything you specialize in)?
A: I
do private, in-home lessons and group classes for obedience & tricks. This
includes basic obedience, behavior modification, problem solving. I
specialize in Pot-bellied pigs, but as far as dogs go, I would have to say
problem solving/behavior modification, and trick training are what I'm best
at. I also work with exotic animals quite often.
Q: How
did you get started (mention earliest spark of interest and if you trained under
someone else, interned, volunteered, etc., and any "formal" education
that applies)?
A: As
long as I can remember I have always wanted to train animals. The problem was that
I didn't know how to go about it. So I almost made the mistake of finishing a degree
in Physical Therapy. Then I heard about a program at Moorpark College.
So I spent 2 years at this animal compound learning about Operant &
Classical Conditioning, animal husbandry, handling & management. The problem
was that the only domestic animal I worked with was a pony. So after I
graduated dogs were still fairly new to me. From there I got my first job
as an independent contractor to train a Pot-bellied pig, and 2 weeks after
that Universal Studios called me to work at the animal show for the summer.
I left Universal when the busy season was over, and my business continued
to grow through word of mouth. Then a friend of mine said that Karl Miller
(Cujo, K-9, Beethoven & Babe) was looking for part-time help. I jumped at
the chance to work with him. I learned so much from watching Karl work - he is truly
a master. It is amazing what he can get a dog to do. I stopped
working for Karl after 1½ years and continued to build my business.
Q: Who
or what was the biggest influence on you as a trainer?
A: My
animals have been the biggest influence. When I trained animals in school there was
no way to put a choke chain on a Tapir or a Kinkajou, but they still were easy
to train and for the most part, willing to learn. So I got out of school
& started reading books about dog training and some of the
things that were recommended. I did them, but I kept thinking to myself
"there's got to be a better way, a nicer way". One day it occurred
to me that my dogs were ALWAYS happy & excited about doing the tricks I
taught them. They did them fast, reliably & with enthusiasm. Yet when I
would try to teach them to heel, or come, the way the books said to, they
put their heads down and weren't quite so happy to do so. Needless to say
it finally hit me (like a ton of bricks).
Q: Describe
your personal training philosophy or approach.
A: Above
all I would have to say it is be nice to the animal, and do what ever I can to
keep the dog in the home. Many people come to me when they are sure
the dog is a maniac & can't be fixed. They just want me to tell them they
are right in wanting to get rid of this "bad apple". I feel that it is
up to me to make the dog seem more "normal", and explain that they ALL
do this or that. But most importantly that it can be worked on and they will end
up with a family pet.
Q: How
do you get your business (mention major and minor sources of referrals).
A: My
dog business comes from word of mouth and there are 2 vets that have my cards
for handing out to clients. I used to have an ad running in one of the
Pot-bellied pig magazines, but a few years ago when PBP's stopped being so
popular I pulled the ad & began concentrating on dogs. But one of the vets
that refers me does exotics so I get one every now & then.
Q: What
do you like the most about being a trainer?
A:
The relationship I build with the animals. All of the different personalities I
get to see, and how they each are individuals and unique. Even the ones
"only a mother could love" I end up having special feelings for. I
find something special in all of them.
Q: What
do you like the least about being a trainer?
A:
The relationship I build with the animals (now you're saying, "huh?")
One of the hardest parts for me is finishing a job and saying good-bye. But many
of them I do see again, so that's okay.
Q: Describe
the most difficult/challenging part of your job as a trainer?
A: It
is VERY difficult for me to work with people who don't see their dogs the way I
do. The ones who don't see them as a member of the family. As just an
animal who is supposed to have this innate ability to know what is
acceptable behavior to us. And who think that the way to teach a
dog it has done something wrong is rub his nose in it, stick his head in the
trash can he got into 3 hours earlier, or beat on him for not coming when
called. I takes a great deal out of me to try to hang on to my patience in order
to try to get through to these people.
Q: What
kinds of "tools" do you keep handy in your toolbox? (This is a gadget
question, e.g., gentle leaders, choke chains, electronic collars, clickers,
etc.)
A:
Ooh, a fun question! I keep toys of all shapes/sizes. They squeak, squish, roll,
fly, honk & shake. I also keep treats, clickers, Gentle Leaders, leashes of
all shapes & sizes. Leather gloves for long-line work, a spray bottle, &
motion sensor, no choke chains. Oh yeah, and plenty of baggies.
Q: What
is one of the most interesting, difficult, or challenging cases you've worked on
and why it was particularly interesting and/or challenging as a
trainer?
A:
Funny you should ask. I happen to have a dog in my house at this moment that I
feel is a bit psycho. She stares at the wall, (no, we don't have mice), she
watches things that aren't there, she guards her food from no one (I mean that
literally, she can be alone and guard her food). She will run out of her crate,
around to the side and stare inside to see where she's been. I'm am trying
different things with her. I'll let you know how it turns out. She's a great
little agility dog, though.
Q: Have you ever "team trained" with other trainers
in your area (that is, one of you specializes in aggression and the other in
competitive obedience, and you work together with the client to reach dual
goals)?
A: I
have never done this, but I do have someone that I bounce ideas/problems off of.
I have also referred clients to her when I was too busy, or if
they wanted in-kennel training, which I don't usually, do.
There is also a competitive obedience trainer I refer people to.
Q: Do
you participate in any dog-related competitive events? Anything special to brag
about?
A:
I compete with my dogs in agility. We've been working on it for a little over 2
years. I don't travel to too many shows, but I do the local ones. We
have many titles and a lot of fun. I've tried fly-ball, but trying to hold back
a pit-bull who REALLY wants to run hurts my back.
Q: How
have you changed, personally and/or in terms of techniques, since you
first started training dogs (this is a "what have
you learned and done differently now vs. when you first started" type
of question)?
A: When
I first started I knew nothing, but thought I knew more. And over the
years I've learned that I know even less than I did back then compared to what I
know I don't know now. Which means that I know I need to keep my eyes & ears
open and learn everything I can.
A:
It has played a huge role! It has allowed me to feel okay about being nice to
dogs and about not trying to "dominate" them all the time. It has
given me a chance to learn that there are trainers out there who are willing to
share their vast knowledge with those of us who don't get out much.
Q: What
advice would you give to someone just starting out as a trainer?
A:
Read everything you can, go to as many seminars as you can, talk to as many
trainers as you can. Even if you think you may disagree with them and/or
their methods, everyone can teach you something. Even if it's what not to
do. But most of all, learn from the dogs. Go with your instincts and
what feels right.
Q: What
advice would you give to "seasoned" trainers?
A: Be more approachable to newcomers. Offer any advice/help/guidance you can. Not everything can be learned from books. But above all, remember that there is always more for you to learn, too.