I'm a full time Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, running a small business focusing on pet behavior consulting and training classes. I've been involved in the modification of animal behavior as a researcher, veterinary technician, trainer, and animal behaviorist for the past 19 years. Before starting Helping Pets Behave, I worked at the National Institutes of Health doing behavioral research (see my resume). This experience has given me a profound understanding of pet behavior.

Most animal behavior scientists would agree that much of the information about cats and dogs on the internet and on popular television shows is largely inaccurate (read more on Medium). This is frustrating for all involved, but it's our pets that suffer the consequences. It seems that all too often a fearful dog labeled as dominant is mistreated with unnecessary, harsh methods that can contribute to bites to humans. It's the inaccurate assessments that leads to a missed opportunity for application of the correct behavior modification treatment.

The latest research in animal behavior allows us to train our pets what TO DO using positive training instead of punishing repeated mistakes. My methods are science-based meaning I look at the pet's environment to determine the triggers for the unwanted behaviors and the consequences that are maintaining them. I'll teach you humane and innovative training techniques proven effective for training the most challenging of dog and cat behavior problems.

Educating Pet Owners

I've written numerous articles and videos on animal behavior and training. Here are some of my favorites:

• Trainers vs Behaviorists
• 8 Tips for Selecting a Quality Breeder
• How to Spot a Puppy Mill Breeder
• Behaviors to Consider When Selecting a Dog to Adopt From a Shelter
• Video: How to Apply a Calming Cap
• Video: Creating a New Behavior with Shaping by Successive Approximation