Dogs/Expert Profile

Expertise

Do NOT ask about: MEDICAL ISSUES, ILLNESS, WOUNDS, DIET, PREGNANCY, GROWTHS, STOOLS. I REJECT MEDICAL/ILLNESS QUESTIONS! IF YOU FEEL YOUR DOG NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION CONTACT A VETERINARIAN ASAP. Indicate in your question that you've READ MY BIO by putting @ the beginning of it: "I have read your bio & will read and rate your response fairly within 3 days." Unless you agree to this Virtual Contract, I reject your question & won't answer it even if you re-submit it. Keep questions brief to an area of concern. Prioritize. I won't answer multiple questions w/myriad aspects which would amount to a small thesis. I don't respond to follow-ups which are new questions. Questions re: canine behavior AS IT RELATES TO TRAINING/tricks, & daily interactions ARE WELCOME. My answers reflect years of experience and research; formal, ongoing, self-motivated education in the areas of my expertise; & study in hehavioral biology & behavioral psychology. If you dislike my answer for my honesty, don't blithely rate me 'down' or say I was impolite when I wasn't. When I respond to your question, you can expect an honest answer although it may suggest you have work to do. Such aren't reasons to take shots at me in ratings. I'm polite & expect same. Your question must make sense & be grammatically well-structured & literate or I will reject it. I won't spend time "decoding" questions. If you would like to retain my services in the NYC, NJ, or Palm Beach Co., FL, areas please contact me. If I answer within the time frame provided by AllExperts, don't unfairly comment that I didn't answer your question quickly enough. I answer within the time frame provided. If your dog dies or you euthanize your dog before or after I respond to your question in my area of knowledge, don't lash out & blame me for your dog's death or your actions. The dog is yours, has been, and is your responsibility. Don't depend on me to save an animals's life which may need immediate vet attention. Questions must be public.

Experience in the area

Professional dog trainer and behavior consultant full-time since 2002, and hands-on owner and operator of my dog training business; professional dog portrait artist and professional painter for 20 years. Professional State Certified Educator since 1992.

Organizations

Founding Member of The Behavior Education Network (B.E.N.) of Animal Behavior Associates. Five year professional member of APDT. Two year member of ABMA. Was Animal Science Major, Rutgers University and Psych Major, Caldwell College. Permanently Certified NJ State Instructor Since 1992 and dog trainer/behavior consultant since 2002; AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator; multi-species experience with horses, swine, agamids, with primary focus on domestic dog. Please keep questions related to dogs only in this forum.

Publications

Chronicle of the Dog, Yankee Dog, local news writings, "Popular Dog" Series magazine - Housetraining issue, quoted in Tonawanda (NY) News, July 2007

Education/Credentials

Master's Degree, State Teaching Certification, plus additional undergrad college credits in psychology, and accredited college study in Animal Science.

Awards and Honors

Published author on dog training and dog behaviour, and business aspects of dog training. F.I.T. "Commitment to Illustration and Excellence as an Illustrator" award. Second place internationally in Society of Illustrators international art competition. Jellybean Photographics Award (for illustration).

Past/Present Clients

Over 2,000 satisfied clients since 2002.

What do you like about this subject?

Dogs are not only my profession, they're my passion. I have loved everything about dogs since before I could walk! I get that from my Mom who was thrilled to obtain her first dog right after The Great Depression in 1937.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I seek to educate people in order that they treat their animals humanely, and help folks learn to work with their dogs in a manner that suits their dog best and is most gentle; and to share my multi-species knowledge to benefit all those that utilize my services. I hope others benefit from what it is I seek to share.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Dogs learn based on operant and classical conditoning, not "whispering" or "dominance," or "secret" methods. Dogs don't think and act with quite the same complexity as humans. With dogs, it's best to be in the 'here and now' and Keep It Simple. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Healthy dogs can learn at any age - continued learning may extend a dog's life!

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Most folks don't know nearly enough about genetics, health, health certifications, and important developmental periods of dogs to be breeding. Breeding should be done by experienced, knowledgeable breeders only and not be casually done by an inexperienced person for any reasons. I will NOT answer questions about breeding dogs or about mating, pregnancies or whelping for these reasons.