Pitter Patter Dog Training

Pitter Patter Dog Training Where owners and their dogs relationships matter.

Welcome to Pitter Patter Dog Training of Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m Emma, and I’ve been training dogs for over eight...
10/16/2024

Welcome to Pitter Patter Dog Training of Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m Emma, and I’ve been training dogs for over eight years. I currently have an old-man golden retriever, Bubba, and a spirited Patterdale terrier, Ferda. I hold a bachelor’s degree in animal behavior and animal science from a small college in Western Massachusetts.

Training dogs is my passion. I love how each day brings something new, and I can witness the progress of both dogs and clients in real time. I enjoy bridging the connection between owners and their pups, strengthening their bond and fostering better communication. When owners work with me, they become empowered to advocate for their dogs’ needs, accurately read their body language, and use various tools to navigate stressful situations with their dogs.

I specialize in working with reactive and skittish dogs, tailoring the training pace to each dog’s needs. My focus is on building the dog’s confidence, improving their ability to handle distractions, enhancing their relationship with their handlers, and developing their understanding of what’s being asked or expected. Teaching a dog how to settle and self-soothe is a crucial component of my training program. My goal is for dogs to feel relaxed not only in public spaces with their humans but also in their own homes.

As a mobile trainer, I come to you! Let’s begin the journey of empowering you to have the relationship and life you want with your dog. Reach out now to book a free in-home consultation! I’ll visit your home, listen to your goals and concerns, explain my training methods, and work with your pup to assess the situation. This allows me to provide the best recommendation for a program moving forward.

*I offer payment plans as well! If you want to train your dog, I’m committed to creating a program that works to meet your goals!*

Once we moved to Charlotte, we started Left Turn Dog Training, a nod to Charlotte being the home of NASCAR (all left tur...
10/11/2024

Once we moved to Charlotte, we started Left Turn Dog Training, a nod to Charlotte being the home of NASCAR (all left turns), and the fact that left turns in competition heeling are one of the hardest concepts to train, as dogs have to back up to keep position. We had wonderful clients with Left Turn, made mistakes, and learned a lot.

I connected with other trainers in the area, learning new concepts and techniques that I incorporated into my own training system. I began prioritizing positive reinforcement with food and toys, while using other tools on an as-needed basis for each dog.

Through this experience, I discovered how I wanted to run my own company and moved away from practices I disagreed with from my time out west. I learned to prioritize training dogs, especially after owners showed interest, and to focus on the individual needs of both the dog and client in front of me. I decided to keep my training packages high-quality and customizable rather than expanding my business and adding employees. Importantly, I learned to create learning moments with each dog—not just for the client, but for myself as well.

When my wife and I separated at the beginning of this year, we agreed it was best to have a fresh start. I wanted something that was all my own and I was proud of : Pitter Patter Dog Training

Just a handful of my wonderful Left Turn clients

After graduating college, I decided to move out west. Fun fact: I chose San Diego based on an online quiz! I packed my c...
10/01/2024

After graduating college, I decided to move out west. Fun fact: I chose San Diego based on an online quiz! I packed my car and drove cross-country from Massachusetts, figuring out a job and rental when I arrived.

I found a dog training job on LinkedIn, had a couple of in-person interviews, and started my on-the-job training the week after I arrived. That was the beginning of my journey from basic trainer to Head Trainer in just a few months. I learned so much from my mentors there: how to read dogs’ body language, anticipate their behavior, use my body to communicate desired behavior, and much more. I also learned how to use an e-collar, not as a correctional tool, but as a way to communicate with the dog and build clarity and understanding.

As my knowledge grew, I became the trainer specializing in aggressive, reactive, and low-confidence, sensitive dogs. I started learning, understanding, and practicing more advanced concepts and behavior modification skills, such as capacity and the importance of changed variables and thresholds.

I was promoted to managing my own trainers and meeting clients to help decide which training package would best fit their needs. I ended up moving to Las Vegas to help manage that location and get more direct training from my mentors.

After three years packed with learning and dog training—not just pet dogs, but my own as well—my ex-wife and I decided to move to Charlotte, North Carolina to pursue our dream of owning our own dog training company.

Better late than never! 😬😬 I graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I studied Animal Behavior...
10/01/2024

Better late than never! 😬😬

I graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I studied Animal Behavior and Sustainable Agriculture. My concentration was in livestock and hydroponics. During my time at college, I had the opportunity to work at the college farm. The farm had a small dairy herd of Dutch Belties, as well as chickens, a couple sheep, and a llama, Austin. I loved being on the farm. It was my sanctuary from the normal college antics.

I also was lucky enough to take classes with a professor whose concentration was canines. She taught me all about motor patterns in canines, especially ones surrounding play in puppies. I conducted research on her thesis videos of dogs, as well on the farm animals.

My college experience continues to shape my current training methods. The confidence I gained working with large animals has prepared me to handle even the biggest and most challenging dogs. Understanding canine domestication history helps me explain dogs’ behavior to clients, enhancing their comprehension. Moreover, by explaining dogs’ motor patterns, I can help clients understand why their pets sometimes “zone out” and struggle to refocus.

The reasons behind behavior have always fascinated me and remain a crucial aspect of dog training. I find it’s important to know the “why” of behaviors to help train a different, acceptable one.

After graduating from high school, I had the opportunity to work on both a cattle family farm and a sheep family farm in...
01/20/2024

After graduating from high school, I had the opportunity to work on both a cattle family farm and a sheep family farm in Ireland during the intense calving and lambing season. It was an amazing experience. County Kerry felt like stepping into a fairytale.

On the sheep farm, the border collies skillfully herded the sheep. It was mesmerizing to watch Bobby and Captain guide the sheep through the fields and gather them from the common lands. I also witnessed the natural instincts of Bobby’s pups as they grew and learned from their mother.

My ability to read the body language of cows and sheep improved. I became more attuned to their needs, whether it was recognizing when they required veterinary care or understanding when to give them space. This experience taught me the immense responsibility of caring for these animals.

All my photos from my time in Ireland are on hard drives packed up for my move. I found a few from my time though!

Hi! I’m Emma! Let’s spend this week introducing who I am! First, let’s dive into my background in animal training. I gre...
01/19/2024

Hi! I’m Emma! Let’s spend this week introducing who I am!

First, let’s dive into my background in animal training. I grew up in the woods of Massachusetts with my family, our five cats and one dog. My love and connection for animals began at a young age. One summer when I was eight, my mom enrolled me in a farm camp, and I fell in love with livestock, particularly cows. (They are still my favorite animals to this day. Just big dogs!) I continued to stay heavily involved with this farm camp throughout the years, not just as a camper, but as a counselor in training, then basing my senior project there, and even partnering with them for my college fellowship.

While at the farm, I learned how to train my “own” cow, Kiga. I learned how to halter trained her and walk her, how to stand square for shows, and to even come up and engage with me using treats. I showed Kiga at our local Agricultural Fair, where not only she was judged as a breed, but I was judged on my training and handling.

While the cows were my favorite animals to work with, I also had a ton of hand on experience and responsibility with the sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and ducks. I credit my foundation of my intuitive animal behavior and quick reactions to working with livestock at the farm for over 12 years.

Address

Mobile
Charlotte, NC
28203

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+17049816734

Website

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