Qualifications
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL: CPDT-KA Certified Pet Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed. Only nationally recognized certification.
ABC ANIMAL BEHAVIORAL COLLEGE STUDENT MENTOR: Recently Leslie Fisher was interviewed by an area Coordinator from the ABC Dog Training School, and was contracted to begin mentoring ABC students in the final, hands on phase of their training. One student is already currently observing Good Manners Classes at Rainwood Kennels in Elkton, MD. Leslie views the mentoring process as a long term committment, in efforts to continue showing positive reinforcement training to be effective and permanent training solutions. Teaching and sharing knowledge is an activity greatly enjoyed by Leslie Fisher
Rally Novice/Advanced Titles with American Lab Bridget RN RA CGCRALLY NOVICE A PREP-COURSE CERTIFICATE In April of 2009, Leslie Fisher and American Lab Bridget CGC, completed a series of private rally lessons with Ruth Chase of Coventry Dog School, Columbia MD. Sessions focused on precision for Novice Rally A skills, learning to walk a course, interpret signs and general handler skills. Bridget and I benefited enormously from the wonderful one-one time with Ruth Chase, a skilled observer, Trainer, and Competitor. Although a date is not yet established, Leslie Fisher does plan to begin instruction in AKC Rally Novice A during the summer of 2009, at Rainwood Kennels, Elkton MD. A brand new set of rally equipment is already on premises and being used.
PAT MILLER CERTIFIED TRAINER:Leslie Fisher graduated from all three of PAT MILLERS Internships, Instructors Level 1, Behavior Modification and Instructors Level 2. Each internship was 6 days long and a combination of hands on training and classroom work, including assignments and exams. PAT MILLER is a nationally known dog trainer, presenter of seminars, author of books on Positive Dog Training , the Training Editor for Whole Dog Journal and is on the Board for APDT. She works tirelessly to improve the lives of dogs through education and is the training editor for Whole Dog Journal. She is the owner of PEACEABLE PAWS, in Hagerstown MD.
AFFILIATE OF PEACEABLE PAWS: Affiliation with the business of PAT MILLER is only available to those who achieve a level of exellence at a Level 2 Internship, such as Leslie Fisher did during Instructors Level 2. Affiliation carries with it, access to PAT MILLER, her outstanding articles, and use of her business name in all advertising. Affiliates must sign a legal and binding contract to promote through education POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT DOG TRAINING, and agree to not use aversive methods in training. A standard is also set for CLASSES by not allowing the use of prong, choke or electric-shock collars.
PAT MILLER CERTIFIED TRAINER : Peaceable Paws Interns who have graduated in good standing from three INTERN ACADEMIES are granted CERTIFICATION.
MEMBER APDT: American Pet Dog Trainer, an organization that is committed to improving the lives of dogs and promoting use of positve training methods nationwide. Also published Chronicle of the Dog for APDT members.
MEMBER TRULY DOG FRIENDLY A group whose definition of positive dog training is pain free. Visit www.trulydogfriendly.com to join a yahoo chat, read great articles, find a dog trainer and get great information from people dedicated to making the lives of animals better.
MEMBER: MAAPPPT (Mid-Atlantic Association Positive Professional Pet Trainers) , a regional group dedicated to promoting methods of safe and positive dog training.
AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN EVALUATOR:Leslie Fisher has passed an exam that allows her to evaluate dogs for the award of Canine Good Citizen, and promotes behaviors as such in all her classes.
SEMINARS: On Canine Body Language, Canine Behavioral Evaluation, Fearful Dogs, and Clicker Training. PRESENTERS: Kathy Sdao MA CAAB, Sarah Kalnajs CPDT CDBC, Dr. Roger Abrantes, PhD in Evolutionary Biology and an Ethology, DHC MAPBC, Nicole Wilde CPDT. Leslie Fisher is committed to continuing her education to provide excellent service to her clients. Plans are being made to attend the annual APDT conference in Louisville Kentucky, and at that time, write the national certification exam for CPDT.
ONGOING EDUCATION AT PEACEABLE PAWS: Most recently Leslie Fisher completed a 3 day SHAPING CAMP at Pat Millers` PEACEABLE PAWS, improving observation skills, clicker skills, setting and achieving criteria and,practiced achieving a final behavior by shaping successive approximations of offered behaviors. Her American Lab Bridget learned a series of new behaviors: plans are being made to introduce SHAPING to the LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! classes. Leslie Fisher also worked at a REACTIVE ROVER CAMP, as a Camp Counsellor at PEACEABLE PAWS, and was responsible for working directly with teams of dogs and owners during counter conditoning exercises, advancing exercises where appropriate, monitoring responses of dogs, and directing dog/owner traffic safely to and from the training center.
SOLE TRAINER at RAINWOOD KENNELS: Leslie Fisher works closely with Mary Thompson, owner of Rainwood Kennels, near Bear De, to offer interesting and effective DOG TRAINING CLASSES using CLICKER TRAINING and POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. The mainstay class is a 7wks long GOOD MANNERS PROGRAM, teaching crucial foundation pet dog behaviors. However, new 3 week FOCUS SESSIONS are being offered as an alternative to folks that wish to improve upon trouble areas. Mary Thompson owned, bred and successfully showed IRISH SETTERS for 30 years, and is putting her excellent dog and people skills to use in the operation of this business. LOOK WHAT I CAN DO! and RAINWOOD KENNELS are proving to be a great team and we enjoy a great and mutually beneficial business relationship.
VOLUNTEER: www.lab-rescue.com, doing post adoption home checks.
READING:Leslie Fisher has an extensive library of Dog Training books on a wide variety of subject and has read them all! She continues to read and add to her collection. Reading at the moment Patricia McConnell: For the Love of a Dog, and Pam Dennison: How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong. All time favorite: Nicole Wilde, Help for Your Fearful Dog. Leslie has a particular interest in working with fearful dogs, and as such, has worked with extremely fearful rescued Greyhounds. RESCUED and ADOPTED DOGS are eligible for discounted training fees, to support my philosophy of reducing animal over-population in an acceptable and benevolent way. Visit www.dogwise.com for your training resource.
SUBSCRIPTIONS:Whole Dog Journal, Chronicle of the Dog, The Bark Magazine and Your Dog.
TESTIMONIALS
Recently I heard from client Therese Dillon, Mom to Poe, an extremely engaging Lab/Chow/Shepherd mix from a rescue background. With her permission I quote, " Now that I know what to do, Poe has stopped jumping and nipping, and the bruises on my arms are healing. We had tried something we saw on T.V., and began correcting mouthiness with scruff grabbing. " I am so pleased this lovely dog has been turned around with positive redirection, reinforcement for correct behaviors and being taught WHAT to do. Poe, who finds quick rapid movements around his face extremely aversive, needed some understanding. Thank you Therese, for getting in touch to let me know how well the training is going.
Raymond Keyes, North East MD.
It is good to hear from hear from you as well! Tank is doing really well! My wife and I just had our first child in April and Tank is doing an outstanding job with the baby! We where a little nervous at first just because he is so big (85 lbs), but we all have adjusted well. In the past few months we taught Tank how to shake, which he picked up on really fast (with in a hour). Our only issue now with Tank is that when people come to the house he is extremely excited to see them, and at times he jumps on people. We our so glad that we completed class you!
A +++++ Review:
I have a dog with Stranger issues. During the first session with Leslie saw vast improvement with him. It has been about a month and I am very well pleased with the progress he has made. The training was simple her advice and knowledge was perfect. I am no longer afraid to have people come into my house. Just two days ago a “unknown person to my dog” person came into my house for a Christmas visit and my dog was interested in them but clam. Thank you! Leslie.
Great help:
My adopted 3-year old black lab recently developed on leash aggression toward other dogs that was intense and escalating. After completing a two-week board and train with Leslie at Rainwood, there has been substantial improvement in her behavior. She is generally more responsive to all commands. Leslie worked with me to show me the tools to deal with the issue with confidence. The best part, however, is that Rugby enjoyed the training! Leslie uses positive reinforcement and play, and it makes a huge difference. I highly recommend Leslie as a trainer and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I have two nine month old mini Dachshunds, Abbie and Mila. My husband and I brought the puppies home when they were eight months old. They had never been socialized or trained in any way. They didn't even know how to go to the bathroom outside. I took Leslie's 5 week course and my girls are now able to do attention, sit, come, stay, and are working on down. Also, with the help of the atricles that were provided to me I was able to minimize the pouting the dogs were doing while crated. The girls are also less fearful of people which is a tremendous relief. Thank you Leslie for helping my doggies!
March 20, 2009 by Melissa Bohlen in Bel Air, MD
