After loving and living with dogs my entire life, I decided to get formally educated on "all things dog". I took a two-year certification program that included extensive course work on the Principles of Learning and Behavior Analysis; Behavior Assessment, Intervention and Counseling; Canine Phylogeny and Behavior; Canine Nutrition; Canine Husbandry and Wellness; Principles of Pharmacology; Business Practices, Ethics and Careers with Dogs. This program went far beyond that of a typical dog trainer. The program included a residency, an externship and prepared me to be a Canine Behavior Analyst and Counselor (CBAC).
I am also a breeder and have had the privilege of studying dog behavior in the most formative time and place - from birth to 8 weeks and with mother and litter mates. Not only do I understand puppies and litters, in theory, I have lived it!