Benevolent Sun Dogs, LLC

https://www.benevolentsundogs.com/

I am Kim Geisert, CPDT-KA, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and am certified by both The Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers and the American Kennel Club. I founded Benevolent Sun Dogs, LLC, in early 2020, to provide both private in-home sessions and Board and Train curriculums to offer the best possible options for each individual client.

I am a force-free, positive reinforcement canine coach who employs scientifically proven POSITIVE methods to accomplish your training goals for your dog without the use of any aversive tools or techniques. My specialties are reactivity and fear aggression, bully breeds, multi-dog households, and rescue dogs. I have 7 of my own, 5 of whom I use in my sessions with client dogs, and have been training professionally for 8 years. I coach clients on basic manners, AKC Canine Good Citizen, Service Dog and therapy training, behavioral modification for fear aggression, separation distress, resource guarding, leash reactivity, and confidence building for under-socialized and anxious dogs.

The dog training industry is not regulated, and there are hundreds of dog trainers in Broward County with varying levels of competency, but less than 25 of us are actually certified BY the Certification Council. This required several hundred documented hours of hands-on experience training both dogs and people, extensive knowledge of learning theory, stages of development, modern training techniques, genetics, environmental factors, cognition, and behavior modification. Just as you would never hire a doctor, lawyer, or an electrician without the proper education, experience, and certifications, neither should you hire a dog trainer without a professional level of certification and experience. Just ask! I am also an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Certified Evaluator/Instructor, and am certified in Canine CPR/First Aid.

I am a relationship centered trainer. What this means is I look at your relationship with your dog as the key element in both foundational obedience training and behavior modification. Does your dog clearly understand the way you are communicating? Does your dog have a reliable routine every day that he can depend on and behavior from you that is consistent? Are your dog’s needs being met— not just food, water, and shelter, but exercise, mental stimulation, opportunities to be challenged, and especially, emotional security? With a secure bond/relationship in place, the obedience follows, and they want to do what you ask. Your relationship with your dog is by far the best tool you have!

Dogs have a deep desire to be appreciated, praised, social, and comfortable in their roles in their families. Destructive behavior is almost always a result of an unmet need. Very often, when I see an issue like pulling on leash, inappropriate biting, chewing or barking, over-arousal, reactivity, frustration, or aggression, the solution involves the human changing their communication style, utilizing management of the situation, and a well thought out behavior modification plan.

I have been in the dog care profession for more than twenty years and have been training dogs full time for over eight years. I am a member of the following professional organizations:

International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC)

Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)

Pet Professional Guild (PPG)

Grisha Stewart’s Behavioral Adjustment Training (BAT) for aggressive and reactive dogs, Diamond Member

My articles have been published by both the Pet Professional Guild and the Certified Council of Professional Dog Trainers. Additionally, I was the Director of Day Training at a local facility for two and a half years until I started my own business, which has always been my lifelong dream.

I employ scientifically based, reinforcement analysis (Functional Analysis) protocols that promote your relationship dynamic. No aversive tools or techniques are necessary! I use my own dogs to provide role models for obedience, socialization, and confidence building when appropriate. I absolutely believe in the benefit of dogs learning from other dogs and have seen it in action multiple times during my career. Clear, consistent rules, socialization, and appropriate exercise are necessary for any dog’s emotional mental health and physical well-being—along with lots of praise and encouragement!

I've always had a love of dogs and got started as a teenager walking and sitting for neighborhood dogs. It was a natural progression to put the word out- online, at dog parks, and through my job and friends, that I was in the dog care business. After several years of dog sitting and walking, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a full time professional trainer in 2015, and I have never looked back or regretted a day of it. I absolutely LOVE my job, and it shows!