Dogs/Expert Profile

Expertise

When you submit a question, please let me know that you have read my bio by putting at the beginning of your question: "I have read your bio and agree to read and rate your response fairly within three days." Unless you agree to this Virtual Contract, I will not respond to your question an I will auto reject it since I'll know that you did not take the time to read my bio. Questions re: canine behavior, skills/training, tricks and which are NOT related to medical conditions are welcome. I will AUTOMATICALLY REJECT questions of a medical nature. My answers reflect research, extensive experience, and formal, ongoing, self-motivated education in the areas of animal science, hehavioral biology, and behavioural psychology. If you don't like my answer because I've been honest, don't blithely rate me 'down' or say I was impolite when I clearly wasn't. While you may not agree with my answer since it may not be the answer you wanted to hear and it may suggest you have work to do, such isn't a reason to take shots at me in ratings. I present facts and am always polite. Your question must be well structured grammatically and not require that I "decode" misspellings or whole sentences. Your question must make sense. If you would like to retain my services in the NYC, NJ, or Palm Beach Co., FL areas, please contact me for in-person training. If I answer within the time frame provided by AllExperts, please don't unfairly comment that I didn't answer your question fast enough for you. If you have an emergency or your dog is behaving as if not well, call a vet. If your dog dies after I respond to your question, don't lash out and blame me for your dog dying. Realize that dogs can go downhill very quickly when they're ill - so if your dog seems ill, get your dog to a vet ASAP and don't depend on any expert here to save dogs' lives within the generous time frame that we're given here to respond.

Experience in the area

Professional dog trainer and behavior consultant since 2002; professional dog portrait artist and professional painter for over 18 years. Professional State Certified Educator since 1992. Owner and operator of Innovative Reality Dog Training since 2002.

Organizations

Was Animal Science Major, Rutgers University; Permanently Certified NJ State Educator Since 1992; 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, 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 pregnancies or whelping for these reasons.