Archives: FAQ

The “MS” stands for Master of Science and is my graduate degree.
The “CPDT-KA” stands for Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed and is the most widely accepted certification for dog trainers. It requires passing a long exam and, to be re-certified, completing Continuing Education credits (ongoing).
And finally, the “CTDI” stands for Certified Trick Dog Instructor. It’s was awarded by Do More With Your Dog (now handled through AKC).

Never! I purposely keep my group classes very small so that everyone gets individualized attention and no one is ever left out, passed over, or “gets lost” as can happen in large classes. There are never more than 4 dogs/handlers in my classes!

Quite a bit, actually. I’m a professional trainer, which means a lot of things. A few examples are: 1) Dog training is my livelihood, it’s how I make a living. Pet store trainers are store employees and, with few exceptions, work in the store stocking shelves, as cashiers, etc, when they are not holding a class. 2) Professional trainers usually have many years of experience training dogs using a variety of methods (because every single dog does not respond to the same approach). Pet store trainers can be hired with no dog experience at all, take a few-weeks-long course, and start holding classes. They usually are only allowed to use one method to train, and oftentimes only know that one method. 3) Professional trainers have worked hard to prove their knowledge and value by having at least one — usually more — national (and/or international!) certification.  To earn these certifications, we’ve often have to prove our experience; have veterinarians, clients, and fellow dog trainers recommend us; be evaluated by other respected professional trainers; and in most cases, pass a national test. Pet store trainers’ accreditation is from the store they work for.  A few do indeed have respected national certifications — very many do not.

I’ve heard people compare pet store trainers and professional trainers to getting your hair cut at a low-priced place like Super Cuts or going to a quality salon. The outcome — the quality of cut — is going to be vastly different in most cases.  “You get what you pay for” generally applies here.

Yes, I can! I offer something called Do It for Me Training. That’s where I come to your home approximately 3-4 times a week and work with your dog. You do none of the training — that’s my job! 🙂  For the last lesson of each week, I work with your family to make sure that all of you can get the same responses from your dog that I’ve taught. Yes, he WILL listen to you as well as he does to me. (Think about guide dogs: they are trained by a trainer, not the blind handler, yet they do indeed work for the blind handler because the handler was taught how to get the same responses.)  Please click here to read more about Do It For Me Training and how it works.

Yes, absolutely! I offer in-home, private lessons, which means I come to your home and teach you and your family how best to work with your dog. Basically, I act as your coach. Then you practice with your dog and I return the following week until we’ve covered all that you’d like to with your dog. We can also schedule more advanced lessons in the community, so we are sure your dog will work around distractions, too!

Yes, yes, and sort of! My Paws With Manners Facebook page is fairly active and I try to keep items of interest to all dog owners there. Just click on the blue and white Facebook icon at the top right of any page on this site and you’ll land on the Paws with Manners Facebook page. (Or you can click here.) Once there, please “Like” the page so you always get my updates, news, and info in your Newsfeed!  As for Pinterest, yes indeed there is an active Paws With Manners page!  Just click the red and white script “P” at the top right of any page on this site and you’ll be brought to the PWM Pinterest page. (Or, just click here.) And finally, as to Twitter, welllll, I have an account but do not currently use it very much. I do, however, look forward to seeing you on Facebook and Pinterest!

Neither mixed breeds nor purebreds are “better.” Purebreds have the advantage of growing into a size, type, and general personality that is predictable, but mixed breeds make just as wonderful pets and steal your heart every bit as quickly. (And for the record, my opinion is that mixes are no more healthy or not than purebreds. “Hybrid vigor” is a bit of a fallacy especially with the currently popular “doodles” and “poos.”) What it comes down to is that the dog who wiggles his way into your heart and soul is the “best” – it doesn’t matter at all what his lineage is.

There is no best breed of dog, but there are a few breeds that are best for you and your living situation. That’s different for each person and can’t be answered here. I love when people come to me before choosing a dog because you cannot override innate breed tendencies. As an example, if you are a sedate, calm person who is a bit of a couch potato, choosing one of the high energy breeds that needs a slew of exercise is asking for trouble. You will wind up with a dog with all kinds of behavioral issues and both of you will be a lot unhappy. So, picking the right breed for you is super important. There is no best breed, but there is a best breed(s) for YOU.

Yes, you bet! I can go with you to look at a litter of pups and help guide you toward the one or ones that would be the best fit temperamentally for your lifestyle and family. If you are looking at a rescue dog or shelter dog (pup or adult), I can go with you to meet him and evaluate his temperament. It’s often really helpful and wise to have an experienced pair of eyes with you — someone without the heavy emotional investment that you have (and should have!). Letting your heart rule your head when picking a pup/dog is not always the best thing!

Nope! no specific breeds or mixes are avoided here. Staying away from certain breeds or mixes is really, really unfair to the dogs, unnecessary, and is something I do not do. 🙂