First Step Dog Training

I've been training for over 44 years. My Number one objective has always been to create an inseparable bond between a family and their Dog. It's important to empower the owner and all family members, including children, on how to teach their dog all the skills necessary to become a true family member. By everyone being involved in the training process we accomplish much more then just learning basic commands.

I've competed in Breed Competition earning several Champions, Training to Register of Merit Awards (ROM) x 5, Competition Obedience, Rally, Agility, Barnhunt & Scentworks. I'm a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and was a Therapy Dog Evaluator for over 20 years. I've enjoyed attending multiple seminars and workshops over my training years learning from the best, Ian Dunbar, Capt. Ray Hurley,now retired canine officer of the Atlantic City PD, Greg Strong, Patty Russo, Eric and Nancy Leibs, Connie Cleveland, to name a few. I was Vet Tech for 3 years to gain better perspective from veterinarians and owners. I've trained canines for a major motion picture (Reversal of Fortune) and a PNC Bank commercial. I have listed a summary of accomplishments below.

Professional Experience

Einstein’s K9 Training and Activity Center– Owner/Operator/Trainer

Trainer for feature film “Reversal of Fortune” (1986)

Trainer for PNC Bank Commercial (2009)

Experienced Veterinarian Technician

Judged AKC sanctioned match shows

Affiliations

Hanover Kennel Club– Public Safety & Education Coordinator, providing canine safety demonstrations to children in schools and other like organizations

Member Hanover Kennel Club

Member Gloucester County Kennel Club

Member Quaker City Doberman Pinscher Club

AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Therapy Dog International Evaluator

Member of Doberman Pinscher Club of America

Member of the United Doberman Club

Animal Control Advisory Board– New Hanover County

Dangerous Dog Panel– New Hanover County

Canine Ambassador for American Kennel Club

Education/Training

Patty Ruzzo Seminar on Purely Positive Obedience Training

Greg Strong Handling Seminar

Nancy and Eric Liebes Seminar

Living in Harmony with Your Pet– Behavior Principles for Pet Owners by Dr. Barbara Sherman and Dr. Margaret Gruen of NC State University/College of Veterinary Medicine

PetTech CPR and First Aid

North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine on the Fundamentals of Canine Health

Laura Rominik Seminar

DPCA National Judges Education Seminar Certificate

Apprenticed for Captain Ray Hurley of the Atlantic City PD K9 Unit

Connie Cleveland Workshop & Seminar

Ian Dunbar Seminars

Multiple Nose Works Seminars

Titles Acquired on Dogs

Top 20 Obedience 2012 with Doberman Pinscher Club of America, Ranked #6

Companion Dog (CD)

Companion Dog Excellent (CDX)

Rally Novice thru Excellent (RA, RAE)

Agility Novice thru Open

Begleithundprufung (BH)

Working Aptitude Certificate (WAC)

Therapy Dog International (TDI)

Therapy Dog International Active (TDIA)

Register of Merit with Doberman Pinscher Club of America (ROM)

Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

Nosework 1

Dogs are a non-verbal species. It's all about body language. All dogs are our 4-legged children, they are a member of our family. Watching the light bulb go on in thier heads when they learn is rewarding every time for me. Our dogs want to learn and please us. When we form that bond between Owner and Dog it is forever.