My name is Brigid, and I am the founder and owner of Obi's Trainer, LLC. Having grown up in a dog-filled household, I always knew that my dream job would involve canines. Then in college, I became interested in applied animal behavior, so I minored in Psychology to explore the processes behind learning and how learning impacts behavior. I pursued dog training certification through Animal Behavior
College; I am an APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) member as well. In the world of dog training, my style falls under positive reinforcement training— a reward-based approach that uses treats, toys and natural reinforcers to encourage good behavior from dogs, rather than simply punishing bad behavior. Although it often requires more time and dedication than punishment-based methods, positive reinforcement teaches a dog the appropriate way to respond to situations and fosters their voluntary cooperation. Good behavior should be more rewarding than bad behavior! I also follow the Humane Hierarchy and the Least Intrusive/Minimally Aversive (“LIMA”) guidelines when solving problem behaviors. In addition, many of my techniques have been evaluated by my business partner/student/rambunctious hound Obi, so you can be sure that I’ll treat your dog as my own! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family, volunteering at church, and exploring new trails (and fabulous new smells!) with Obi.
