My Dog Training Story
Way back in the early 90’s I got a German Shepherd. So I called all the dog trainers in town and found an all-German Shepherd trainer. Little did I know then that the recommended choke collars and prong collars they had us use would be so ineffectual. When I finally had a computer and internet, I researched dog training methods. I went to dog workshops hosted by reputable po
sitive reinforcement trainers. I read everything I could on the internet. I was inundated with emails from all the dog training email lists I was subscribed to. I then started over with my now 2-year-old GSD. The change in my dogs’ attitude and willingness to engage was amazing. While the rest of the dog training community thought Clicker training was a fad, I embraced it and developed a wonderful working dog. (I was a closet clicker trainer for a few years until they saw with their own eyes what my dog could do.) I then spread my knowledge by taking on other dogs and their people. I joined The Apple Valley Dog Training Club and was elected the secretary. That’s when Compatible Companions started. My business was primarily private lessons at people’s houses, with some classes in parks or rented buildings. I finally got a license through the state of WA in 1996 for my business when I worked as a contractor for another dog training business. I was approached by PetSmart to set up their dog training in the new building. (I have some of the old polaroids on my FB page, at least the ones when the camera had film, wasn’t broken, wasn’t in use somewhere else and nobody stole the picture.) When my mom got sick with cancer, I moved to Salem Oregon. There I did a lot of private lessons but also worked 40hrs a week at a surgeon’s office. We later moved near Portland, OR in Hillsboro. I worked at Petco as the Sr. Dog Trainer Mentor for 5+ years. That was fun, I had a great time there with the employees and my clients. But alas, my husband and I decided to move to a warmer climate, hence the move to Texas. So now I start my business all over again. I love working with people and training their dogs!
