DEFINE POSITIVE FOR ME…A recent article in the Psychology Today e-magazine discusses the challenge of finding true positive reinforcement animal training. Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) is cited as a reliable source of positive training, a “well-respected organization” with “trustworthy trainers.”The article’s author, a pet owner and veterinarian in Virginia, points out that simply seeing “catch phrases” about being positive is …
A career change in 2008 saw Beth Mullen, KPA CTP, CBCC, CPDT, incorporate her interest in animals of all species into a new profession—animal training. Beth is currently the owner of and head trainer at Dog Latin Dog Training & Behavior Consulting where her background in communication and education adds to her training skill set.ement, the pitfalls of coercion, elements of behavior science, and more. Stephanie says, “I was incredibly inspired and enlightened, and eagerly attended ClickerExpo in Cincinnati a month later.”
Stephanie Peters, KPA CTP and CPDT-KA, owner of Plucky Paws, adopted her “sweet little dog Marmalade” from Second Chance Animal Rescue Puerto Rico in 2013, spurring her interest in animal training. She had heard of using a clicker for training, but “stuck to lure-reward training, using a verbal marker informally” with Marmalade—until she attended A Weekend with Ken Ramirez in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2016, after a recent move to Iowa from Boston. Ken spoke about reinforcement, the pitfalls of coercion, elements of behavior science, and more. Stephanie says, “I was incredibly inspired and enlightened, and eagerly attended ClickerExpo in Cincinnati a month later.”
Laura Donaldson, KPA CTP, combines her extensive credentials with her experience in dog training and canine behavior (and her participation in dog sports) in her successful business Four Paws, Four Directions Dog Training & Behavior Consulting. Her philosophy emphasizes positive training that creates harmonious canine-human communication and bonds.
Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Emma Parsons led KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) programs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Franklin, Massachusetts. Find out more about the DTP program or apply to a course with Emma Parsons.
In this interview, Emma talks about her own clicker training history and her involvement with Karen Pryor Academy.
Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) is pleased to welcome Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP) Sam Haeussner as Alumni Relations Coordinator, supporting a rapidly growing constituency of more than 1400 alumni worldwide. With more than a decade of experience in community organizing and animal training, Sam brings a wealth of experience to KPA. Prior to joining the company, Sam served as the Community Education Coordinator for Sexual Assault Services Organization in Durango, Colorado. She is the owner and trainer at Pawsitive Marks, LLC. Sam lives in Southern Colorado, near the New Mexico border.
