Certified Dog Trainer

Robin Shepherd, CPDT-KA
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Dexter and hannah

My History

My first dog was named Frankie.  He was the most amazing Doberman!  Honestly I didn’t do a whole lot of training with him. He was pretty easy going, well mannered dog just the way he was.

Then came Dexter:  Dexter loves to jump and run and do a lot of normal dog things.  He also is a Canine Good Citizen and a Certified Therapy Dog.  Although he has had so much training he still has a lot of struggles. He is very anxious and often scared of strangers.  This has made it difficult to have people over and just do “normal” every day things.

Then came Hannah:  She was a “stray” puppy who arrived at the shelter at just eight weeks old.  I fostered her and she seemed like a super chill puppy but now we know she was actually a bit shy.  Other dogs make her uncomfortable.  She sometimes barks and lunges at them.

Hannah and Dexter have shown me how much dogs can be misunderstood.  They have made want to learn more and be a better, more understanding pet guardian.  I studied and took many courses on behavior and training to become a professional dog trainer.  I also got a job in the behavior department at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. Since then, I have seen all ranges of dogs and behavior from happy go lucky to scared/shut down dogs.  Almost every day the dogs (and other animals) living there teach me something new.

Experience

Certifications:

Certified Profesional Dog Trainer, CPDT-KA

Certified Pro Dog Trainer, Absolute Dogs

 

Education:

BA Speech Communication, University of Maryland

Animal Behavior Consulting and Practice Course – IAABC

Canine Behavior and Training Academy, Behavior Modification Academy – Peaceable Paws (Pat Miller)

Enrichment Master Class – Pet Harmony

 

Memberships:

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers

In-home Training

Virtual Training

Classes