march 2024 KPA CTP of the Month
Erin graduated from the KPA Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program under the guidance of faculty member Nan Arthur. In this interview, Erin shares highlights from her dog training career as well as how she finds the support she needs to continue to grow and thrive as a trainer.
How has completing the Dog Trainer Professional program and becoming a KPA CTP changed your life and career?
It's safe to say that my life is completely different since completing the DTP and becoming a KPA CTP. Before, I was working in a corporate job that wasn't the right fit for me. The demanding schedule took a toll on my mental and physical health and wasn't sustainable. Pursuing dog training has been a positive transformation. Now, I love what I do, set my own hours, and run my business on my terms. Being around dogs and helping them lead better lives brings me immense joy. While not every day is easy, I consider myself fortunate to have a job I'm passionate about!
Was there a particular dog/animal in your life that was your most important teacher?
As clichéd as it may sound, my most important teacher has been my own dog, Gus. A 12-year-old corgi/beagle mix, Gus has been with me through thick and thin, even as my canine partner in the DTP program. Working to resolve his behavioral concerns, including leash reactivity and separation anxiety, taught me about patience. Gus demonstrated that training isn't linear; progress can vary from day to day. His challenges made me a more patient and understanding trainer. In training Gus, I learned the importance of not just training behaviors but understanding the "why" behind them.
What is your proudest training moment?
One of my proudest moments was working with a dog named Dewey that struggled with leash reactivity. He was very fearful of other dogs; he would see a dog 100+ feet away and start lunging, barking. and growling. Walks were unpleasant for everyone involved, and his guardian was worried about Dewey dragging her along the streets of Denver. His guardian was very patient, always followed my guidance, and were most concerned about how stressed Dewey was in these situations. We had completed many training sessions and had seen improvement but leash reactivity isn't fixed overnight; Dewey was still struggling. It can be difficult to finish sessions with a client when the dog isn't at the "finished" goal just yet. But the family had all the tools they needed to train Dewey and I knew that they would continue.
I would check in often and Dewey’s guardians were still working on all of the things we did together. About a year after we finished our sessions together, they sent me a video of a walk with Dewey. He was walking on a loose leash calmly, in a busy area, with other dogs around him. This would have NEVER been a possibility before, and I was beyond proud of how far that team had come! It made me happy to know that they could enjoy walks together. Dewey was less stressed; the training we implemented really did work! It's the most rewarding part of this job to see the changes dogs and humans make throughout the training process.
It's the most rewarding part of this job to see the changes dogs and humans make throughout the training process.
What do you do to continue your training education?
It’s very important to me to keep learning and to stay up to date on any new methods or practices for positive reinforcement training. I attend ClickerExpo Live annually, and this year I am excited to finally attend the in-person ClickerExpo in Portland, Oregon! I try to take at least one course or attend one conference each year to broaden my horizons or enhance my skills. In the past, I have completed the KPA Puppy Start Right for Instructors program, the Enrichment Master Course through Pet Harmony, and the Aggression in Dogs conference. Another goal for this year is to read one dog-training-related book each month. There is always something new I can learn! I also collaborate with another force-free trainer here in Denver where we troubleshoot cases—we even built a leash reactivity course together!
One of my biggest continuing education practices is staying in touch with a group of students from the KPA DTP program. Our program was held in 2020, during COVID, and we really had to stick together to make it through the program successfully since we didn't get to see each other in person. Four of us from our program have become really close and still talk every day. We talk about different cases we have, different dog training topics, what's going on in the industry, and so much more. I consider these communications continuing education because I have learned so much from my classmates, now colleagues! We are bringing together knowledge and experience from four different parts of the country and applying it to our individual clients and businesses.
What is the most important piece of advice you can give to a new trainer?
For new trainers, my advice is to be patient, absorb as much knowledge as possible, and build relationships with like-minded trainers. This unregulated industry can be filled with many different opinions, harsh critics, and misinformation. You need a network and support system for so many different things! A supportive network can help troubleshoot cases, provide business advice, and offer emotional support during challenging days. There is always something more to learn or something you can do differently that can help improve your training. There are so many different R+ dog training groups and mentorships you can find on Facebook and Instagram that can help you build your group! My fellow students from my DTP group have been the biggest supporters and help throughout my career.
What is your favorite activity or sport that you do with your own dog(s)?
Over the 10 years I've had Gus, our activities have evolved. Now that he's 12 years old, Gus enjoys laid-back activities. He tore his CCL a few years ago, so now we enjoy short walks together where Gus can sniff around and check pee-mails. In warm weather, we like to sit outside on the patio and soak in all the sun! At night, we cuddle on the couch and watch The Bachelor—Gus can always predict who gets the roses!
Learn more about Erin through her website , Instagram, and Facebook.