Whole Dog Training and Behavior

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United States
Lynnwood, WA
Whole Dog Training and Behavior

Live your best life with your best friend. My name is Catherine Brueckner, CCS CPDT-KA. My service area includes Snohomish and King County.
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I offer private training and behavior modification in your home or environments you frequent with your dog. I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and also have a Certificate In Canine Studies from The Northwest School of Canine Studies. I adhere strictly to the CCPDT’s principle of utilizing a least intrusive,

minimally aversive approach to training. Not only because I don’t believe in harming animals to teach them from an ethical standpoint, but also because there is no efficacy in doing so either. A punished dog is a fearful dog and a fearful dog is far more likely to develop anxiety and unpredictable behavior which are the exact things we want to work to avoid or address in behavior modification. I utilize a three-pronged approach to training and behavior mod that involves managing a dog’s environment to set them up for success, finding outlets for drive behaviors so that a dog is both physically and mentally stimulated with learning opportunities and enrichment activities, and clear owner leadership–I help you understand how your dog learns and processes information so that communication between you and your dog is clear and consistent. I not only want you to understand what we do to train or modify a behavior but to empower you by helping you understand why we do it and why it works. I believe strongly in the value of continuing education and collaboration in the field of dog training and routinely seek out opportunities to learn, teach and advance my skills from attending conferences to discussing cases and sharing feedback with a team of mentors and colleagues in the field. I see other trainers as my support network, not my competition. A great trainer is part of a community of professionals that share our passion and knowledge so that we bring the best to our clients. Outside of Whole Dog, I am a passionate animal welfare worker having worked at PAWS, on the behavior team at Kitsap Humane Society, and at Seattle Animal Shelter. Prior to working in animal welfare I worked in veterinary medicine for several years. I also taught everyday skills and manners classes at Four Paw Sports Center. I sincerely believe in the magic of helping humans understand their dogs, and dogs their humans, and I look forward to working with you and your dog to build strong communication and a bond that lasts a lifetime.

10/15/2024

Back from the 2024 Aggression In Dogs Conference in Scottsdale this weekend with a fresh new dose of inspiration and some great ideas I can't wait to implement into my private training practice and my work at the animal shelter.

Aside from an already packed guest list of speakers that included renowned trainers like Emma Parsons and shelter pros like Laurie Lawless--both of whom could not have been more engaging, inspiring and informative--there were a couple surprise guests that left me feeling like the universe is definitely conspiring in my favor.

First up was Janis Bradley, who's book Dog's Bite But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous I just happen to be reading right now. We even got to share a ride back to the airport with her yesterday. She shared with us how she is interested in anthropomorphism as the next thing in dog behavior with its power to help build greater empathy in humans.

And the second surprise guest of the day was Dr. Sheila Segurson from Maddie's Fund whose talk, Trauma In Dogs and Animal Shelters, was so compassionate and relevant. Our shelter contracts with Dr. Segurson for behavior support so it was such a pleasant surprise to learn that she would be filling in for a speaker who was unable to make the conference and to get to hear her talk and meet her in person.

Lastly, giant thanks to Kerri M Cpdt-ka for encouraging me to attend and being my buddy for the weekend. I feel pretty lucky to have another dog trainer friend that's idea of a good time also includes spending vacation nerding out on behavior.

01/11/2024

Such an important message.

We can all man handle a pet and take chances on their emotional health and our personal safety. But that get-it-done-at-any-cost attitude is not a proper measure of competence or capability.

Choose your animal care professionals wisely.

The pet professionals in your life should always be advocating for your animals. ❤️

Address

Lynnwood, WA
98037

Telephone

+12063870967

Website

http://wholedognorthwest.com/

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