Russell Hollier

About me

First name

Russell

Last name

Hollier

Summary

Russ describes his mission: to teach people and their canine companions how to develop and maintain safe, respectful, and deeply satisfying relationships for a lifetime. He focuses on the use of clicker training to forge the person/dog connection, strengthening communication and building a mutual commitment to the relationship. Russ believes that fun is an essential part of learning and problem-solving for both dogs and people.

Bio

Russ is a Region Coordinator for Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB), and has raised ten guide dogs for GEB. He prepares new puppy-raisers for their first puppy and teaches weekly classes to the volunteer puppy-raisers until their dogs return to the training school.

Russ is a licensed social worker and has worked for over 20 years in the human services profession. A clinical supervisor, he has provided services to people overcoming addictions and mental illness, and to those resolving family conflict. Russ's career has reinforced his belief in the resiliency of people and the power of positive relationships.

Growing up on a small farm in central New York, Russ has always been drawn to nature and relationships with animals. Russ learned to relate with animals in a calm, consistent, and rewarding manner while helping his father shepherd sheep and care for other livestock and companion animals. Russ learned that working with animals is a sacred experience, that their needs come first, and that if you pay attention you learn a great deal about yourself in the process.

Becoming a professional dog trainer is a natural integration of Russ's human service career, guide dog experience, and animal affinity.   

Russ holds a MS in social work from Marywood University, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and a BS in education, with a major in outdoor recreation, from SUNY Cortland, Cortland, New York. He lives near Ithaca, New York, with his family and with Helga, a yellow Lab, Harley, his daughter’s English bulldog, Joseph, a German shepherd from GEB, two cats, and two cockatiels.

Services offered

Clicker training, serving Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga counties.

In-home consultations and training with puppies and adult dogs: Manners training, Loose-leash walking training, Foundation skills training

Private in-home consultations for choosing the right dog

Puppy training, including house breaking, foundation skills, training for calm, gaining your pup's attention, and socialization of the puppy

Training for reactive or shy dogs, including socialization, impulse control, confidence-building, and foundation skills

Counseling for coping with your pet's end of life or the loss of your pet

Contact information

Street

PO Box 57

City

Slaterville Springs (Near Ithaca, Tompkins County)

State/Province

NY

Country

USA

Phone number

607-539-6593

History

Member for

17 weeks 1 day