Throughout Susan’s life she has had dogs, which included Working, Sporting, Toy, and mixed breeds. At 17, her first employment was at a dog groomer/show kennel where she began attending dog shows. 

Now, many years later and driven by passion to provide relationship based and kind dog training; Susan avidly pursues ongoing education and professional development, persistently researching new and improved dog friendly techniques. Susan is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a certified CGC evaluator.

As a volunteer for wildlife rehabilitation agencies in San Diego, Susan cared for wild and dangerous animals that included big cats, exotics, and native wildlife species. This experience sharpened Susan’s observation skills necessary to interpret behavior, which is a vital component of her dog training program.

Susan’s program provides effective learning by bridging the human to dog communication barrier. Verbal language is a form of communication that is quintessentially unique to humans. While dogs use vocalizations such as barks, whines, and growls, body language often very subtle, is their primary instrument for communication. Training requires a non-verbal communication method that is easily understood by dogs. Susan’s training is accomplished with Operant Conditioning/ positive reinforcement principle that serves to bridge this communication barrier.

ABC's of Operant Conditioning: Antecedent - Behavior - Consequence:
Antecedents are cues or stimuli that occur before a behavior.
Behaviors are what occur immediately after the antecedent.
Consequences are what shape (or teach) behavior. Positive reinforcement as a consequence motivates your dog and encourages quick acquisition of new behaviors. Positive reinforcement is effective because your dog learns that as a result of performing a behavior he will receive something enjoyable, which vastly increases the likelihood that behavior will be repeated.

For over 50 years, behavioral science has used empirical data to examine the validity of communication systems within the Operant Conditioning principles: R+, P-, P+, R-, and extinction. R+ represents the positive reinforcement principle, which strengthens the behavior it follows and increases the likelihood of that behavior repeating; where learning occurs. As an example, you ask (cue) your dog to sit, he sits (behavior), and you give him a treat (the consequence provides useable information for your dog.) 

It is important to note, that Susan’s training is accomplished without any type of punishment or physical correction. Her position is unwavering; punishment is damaging to a dog and its owner.

Further, punishment does not shape (teach) a behavior because it does not provide useable information for your dog. Punishment will cause your dog to avoid you and the punishment. Unfortunately, it also increases the likelihood of aggression. While punishment can temporarily suppress a behavior, it does not eliminate behavior, and often the intensity of punishment would have to increase in order to maintain suppression.

 

Monique's Titles and Accomplishments: High in Trial "Other" ASCA, Perfect Scores, Multiple 1st Place Awards in Agility, Obedience, and Rally: AKC - VCD1 (CD, TD, NA, NJ) RE; ASCA - CD and TDI

 

Elise's Titles and Accomplishments: AKC -RA; and TDI & CGC

 

Lance's Titles and Accomplishments: January 2009 Dog World Cover, AKC - CD, RN

Lance is a youngster and has just began to compete; he has received 2 HIT's 1st, 1st, & 3rd for his AKC CD title and 2 perfect scores while earning the AKC Rally Novice title.