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Your Most Impactful Training Influencers
There sure isn’t a shortage of wonderful learning opportunities for us dog trainers, and the available resources just keep getting better year after year. The pickings were slim indeed when I first began my training journey, back in the dark ages.
For me, my cross-over to positive reinforcement training began thanks to a 6-day workshop I took with Dr. Ian Dunbar, way back in 1992. (Some of you weren’t even born then!) From there, I branched out to clicker training in 1995 thanks to Karen Pryor. Other powerful influencers included Ken Ramirez and Jean Donaldson, amongst many others. Throughout my career, I’ve been so fortunate to have continuing access to quality learning opportunities. The day I’m tired of learning new things is probably the day I’ll need to retire.
Who has influenced your training path in the most impactful way?
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27 Replies
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@virginiad “Dark Ages!” Ha ha! That made me laugh out loud. (And stop carbon-dating yourself!) Age is really just a number nowadays. I’m an older, yet newer to dog training, trainer. Dogs don’t care about age and why should we?
I like this topic. I have so many and pool from the likes of: Leslie McDevitt, Patricia McConnell, Turid Rugaas, etc…but recently have found Laura Demaio Roy (certified mobility and guide dog instructor)…Michael Shikashio (even though I don’t deal with aggression cases personally, I like to find out how it’s done, positively)…I really have been fascinated about the concept of training puppies while they are still being reared by the breeder! I’ve read so much and always wish I had more time to read and watch other more knowledgable, veteran trainers!
I have to add, I’m always excited when you post a video clip of yourself working with one of your own dogs, or a client’s dog! So, yeah, add Virginia Dare to the list for me. ????.
That also includes a few other trainers here who are brave enough to share your clips with us: @catherine @jenz
Happy 2025 and keep growing, y’all!????
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Carbon dating! ???????????? That’s exactly how it’s done!
I totally love your list of famous influencers, @bernerlabreclectus . So much talent out there, and so many exciting things for us to learn.
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It’s astounding how many learning opportunities are available now! I remember when I started my first dog training business in Montana in 1993… I had the library, Whole Dog Journal and a paper flyer from what is now Dogwise – they were called something else back then. I ordered all the New Skete books, everything by Job Michael Evans, Carol Lea Benjamin, Gail Fisher and Winifred Strickland. That plus the foundation my mom gave me (as a search & rescue dog trainer) and another trainer I’d worked with for a few years, gave me enough to help pet folks with their dogs, so I thought (until it didn’t – a story for another time).
A friend invited me to a Patty Ruzzo seminar (a top AKC obedience trainer & competitor) in Spokane – Patty was spitting tortellini out of her mouth to get dogs to do things and I was both amused and fascinated. When she shaped a Foxhound to do a dumbell retrieve (instead of the ear pinch method with which the owner had tried and failed) in about 15 minutes, I sat with my jaw agape and purposed to learn more. I bought the Ted Turner (marine mammal trainer, not Jane Fonda’s husband) cassette tapes and my worldview began shifting for real.
When I went to the University of Montana for my psych degree and started looking into therapy dog programs, I found the Delta Society (now Pet Partners) and learned of their conference in Phoenix, AZ which was backed up to a shiny new dog pro conference called APDT. A whole conference for dog trainers? I went, not knowing what to expect.
I remember the book tables, where I bought Culture Clash after hearing Jean speak. I heard Karen Pryor too, and Gary Wilkes (who wasn’t ‘bonking’ dogs at that conference) and everything changed. I read the whole book on the plane on the way home, came back to my group family dog classes that were in progress, took the chokes and prongs off of every dog and said, “I’m not exactly sure how, but we’re going to start this class over and train without punishment.” That was the fall of ’95? ’96? I am not sure… but I went to APDT many times after that, and HIGHLY recommend it if you get a chance!
I’ve been so lucky to connect with top trainers across the US over the years. And with the benefits of online meetings, and even here in our lovely community (!!) have met so many more. And am still learning! Lately I’ve been inspired by Kelsey Weber, Kim Brophey, Marissa Martino, and yes, Paula, I agree, Virginia Dare is on my list too!! We’re so lucky to connect with her and everyone here.
The best is yet to come!
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OMD, I love your story, Catherine!! And yes, Patty Ruzzo was amazing!
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I wondered if you knew her, being you are from sort of the same neck of the woods, @virginiad . I’m forever grateful to my friend Lora who dragged me to Patti’s seminar. I had never seen anything like that before! She could spit tortellini with amazing accuracy and of course the dogs loved it. Her Whippet puppy blew my mind with quick sits and precise heeling. I was in awe the whole day. ????
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Yeah, the fact that she trained reliable recalls with sighthounds put her high on my list of impressive trainers. I may have been to a seminar of hers once, eons ago, but at the time I was living in VA.
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For certain. And she is greatly missed. ????
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I am getting the sighthound recalls confused with Leslie Nelson??
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Hmm… I’m not sure about that. I remember Patti having a Whippet in the seminar, but it was tightly focused on competition obedience as opposed to off-lead informal recalls. I recognize Leslie’s name but never took a class from her.
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Just dug a bit more, @catherine . Leslie Nelson IS the trainer I was remembering with the sighthounds. She has a protocol she calls the Really Reliable Recall and she has had afghan hounds over the years.
I think she and Patty sometimes presented together.
Both amazing! -
That’s fascinating. I found this video of her teaching some of the concepts from the book … she was WAY ahead of her time. These elements are just now really getting attention in the mainstream. I see Dogwise carries her book, too.
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She sure was! Thanks for finding and sharing that video clip.
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I’m geeking out here, listening to you two chat here! OMD!!! I’ll try to search YouTube and look Patti up. Imagining spitting tortellini (!?!) I would totally not be that talented!
Amazingly, I always thought what a klutz I was with eye-hand coordination, growing up until, well, until I became a dog trainer. Now, my ball and friend throwing skills have improved quite a bit (when I fumble, the dog looks so disappointed, LOL, WE CAN’T HAVE DISAPPOINTED DOGGIES!!!) and…I have a few dog walking clients who prefer treat catching in mid air on our walks, so that’s gotten precise, between me and the dog. I totally digress, but imagining doing that with tortellini or pasta and my mouth is a different outcome completely!!!
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Haha – love it Paula… I need to see that video!
Yeah, the whole spitting food at dogs thing has long been a “trick” for competition obedience trainers because you can’t take food into a ring, but if the dog expects a wad of pasta to come flying from your lips, guess where his attention is, most of the time!?
But what Patti was doing was different… she was SHAPING behavior. And at that point in my training journey, I had never seen it before… it looked like wizardry! That Foxhound had NO interest in the dumbell, and she completely changed his mind with successive approximations starting at: can you look at the dumbell? And the dog was All. In.
It was a big stretch for my alpha-rolling, never-feed-dog-people-food, do-it-because-I-said-so brain. But I could not deny the effectiveness and the dog’s complete JOY in getting to choose his behavior AND earn yummy treats. A game-changer, for sure.
Have you ever had a learning moment like that?
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I’m still searching for that video. If I find it, I will share. ????
Meanwhile, I feel almost weepy in agreement of what you said about how impactful Patty was to you that you went back to your classes and had everyone throw away the aversive equipment. Even the fact that you weren’t exactly sure HOW you were going to teach without, and shared that with them, gives me goosebumps. In a good way. I am so excited to be here IN THIS GROUP where other experienced trainers share the life choices and struggles and wins that have brought them joy and pain…it means so much to me! I am determined to find the tortellini sitting reference (even if I can’t find actual video), because you, Catherine, spoke of what a game changer it was in your mind, yes, even the sheer humor of it.
I watched a video on Vimeo (a trailer for a couple videos of Patty Ruzzo training) and she is speaking in the background of just this a-ha moment and what changed her over to R+ in the ring, and it was so powerful to hear about how the bond changed between her and her dogs! And she said, if it didn’t work to get rid of the choke collar from this sweet BC whom she couldn’t imagine hurting, she would just not do the sport she loved anymore. Because it’s not worth it to cause an animal you love distress or fear or pain…I’m not quoting her, but that’s the gist.
I also found an article by her and Jenny Gattis called, “Let Them Eat Cookies!”, which I think I’m going to share with a few of my clients who don’t believe in rewarding higher value, human grade food, but can’t get the results I do with just training treats. ????
I’ll try to share links…if anyone is interested:
The video link, hopefully:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/pattyruzzoseminar
The article link:
http://www.schutzhundvillage.com/patty03.html
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Great finds, @bernerlabreclectus – how good it is to hear her voice again, and what a difference she made for many, many trainers. She was gone too soon. Thank you for these shares.
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@catherine I also wanted to share my a-ha moment with you, since you asked about if I’ve had a learning moment like what you described.
Mine was when I signed up as a dog trainer student at CATCH. It was back in 2019…I had been walking dogs professionally for about a year and was actually working with the dogs I walked, not to pull me down the street. I had some big dogs as clients at that time: a year old unaltered male Chocolate lab, a year old yellow lab mix and his sister (who walked well but would get behind) a Pyrenees mix female, my own two goofy dogs: older male Berner and very senior female yellow lab…
I don’t live in a city, but the burbs of Chicago, so thank goodness all of these are private walks, only the dogs in any given household. I also had the option, if needed, to walk individual dogs separately. So, I took what little I had learned with my past private trainer (specialized in K9 training) for my own pooches and just started communicating with the dogs I walked. It was making an impact to talk with them on walks, let them sniff, ask for check ins, but I was still using whatever equipment their owners had, like pronged collars or chokers. Sometimes I even preferred to walk a dog on a flat collar over using a back clip harness. Again, learning by trial and error. Sometimes they responded to things and other dogs couldn’t care less if they choked themselves! But when I leaned towards walking a dog on a flat collar over the choker, things changed for the better. Using kissy sounds, pets and praise and encouraging sniffing…or rolling in the grass…or sitting outside in the grass with them on a hot day and sharing my own water bottle…
I had not even thought to use treats on walks! I didn’t believe that was even an option. I mean…WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT?!
So, when I got to Phase 4 in CATCH Core Curriculum (eventually I decided to go back and do the entire Masters Course with Mentor after I graduated from Core…ha ha…I’m a geek!)…OMD…they sent me the equipment for my own dogs, the front clip Easy Walk harness and the head halter Gentle Leader. I opted to use the harnesses with my two older dogs.
I remember, reading the manual, reading the CATCH literature…attempting to size and put the front clips on Sam and Tara…I was confused! I had to call my program director, Arminda, who talked me through it…and yes, the clips went on the dogs chest, not the back…She was so patient and kind with me.
When I finally got my two mooses out for the first walk (I did walk them together), my Berner, Samson tried to exuberantly push/pull ahead (Tara, my lab, a bit behind him) and he proceed to fall down from the force of his actions! He then got up and looked at me, like, “What-the-whaaat…???” and I gave him a treat for checking in. Then it was just a matter of them getting used to the equipment, learning to stay close to me and check in. I was such a newbie trainer, none of this was what other trainers from my past had said was right, but my dogs were finally looking to me on the walk! They weren’t pulling me, (even on the prong collars, they pulled)…when I learned through reading in the CATCH manual about what the prong collars feel like to the dogs, I felt horrible!
Since that moment, I have refused to use prong or choke collars on any dogs I walk. I will make a million concessions before I would ever choose aversive methods to “teach” an animal. Since I’ve also been vegetarian for 16 years, that thinking goes right along with how I feel about eating animals kindly.
Adding treats into the mix of my walks has been a life changer, too. I get dogs to LLW without any actual “training”, by tossing a treat in the grass when I see good sniffing. If the dog looks at me or keeps the leash smiling, I mark and reward. If the dog looks up in heel position happily with me, I give them a treat and if they offer me settled behaviors when we are waiting for a street crossing, I mark and reward that, too. I don’t ask for anything, and in return, by marking and rewarding EVERYTHING I like they converse with me naturally and constantly! It ends up usually with the dog walking by my side showering me with attention, not an exact heel, but oh, so fun!
Long and drawn out reverie of my a-ha moment, which continues with every new dog I learn to communicate with! Here’s a few most recent clients, only the one in the gold coat is a former training client.????
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@bernerlabreclectus , I loved reading about your training journey — thank you for sharing!
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What a great story, Paula! Thank you for sharing this… I love how tuned in you are to the dogs, and how they are, to you!
I’m so glad you stuck with the learning and were open-minded enough to make these changes. What a positive impact you have had on your clients and their dogs (and on our community here!)
Keep up the great work!
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OMD: that was supposed to be, “treating animals kindly” NOT eating them!!! The edit function won’t let me back in to change what I posted. LOL!!!
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What a wonderful thread- reading the experiences of wonderful influencers themselves (in my opinion!).
As I look back, I can’t honestly say I had a “big name” influencer per say.
If you don’t know, I got into dog behavior after I got bit 13 years ago and sustained significant injury to my hand and arm. I guess my first real “influencer” was a local trainer who was willing to help. I started researching dog behavior and talking to others. I quickly learned in my area, dog trainers were a “click’ and many did not want to share their knowledge or expertise and in fact, many talked down to those who were trying to get into the field or learn on their own. I was one of those trying to learn on my own. It was a catch 22, no one wanted to help a newbie and a newbie was not accepted in the “click”.
My early learning books consisted of; 1. Plenty in life is Free by Kath Sdao, 2. Dog Training Bible by Andrea Arden, 3. BAT 2.0 by Grisha Stewart, 4. Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin, 5. Dog Behavior Problem Solver by Teoti Anderson, 6. The Ethical Dog Trainer by Jim Barry, 7. The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell, 8. When Pigs Fly by Jane Killion and finally, The Power of Positive dog Training by Pat Miller.
My journey of learning was personal, not professional. It was a long one. I became a volunteer with local shelters, the ASPCA and the HSUS. Through a member of the ASPCA behavior team I learned about the University of Washington and the Applied animal Behavior Course. I took this and graduated.
Thinking now as I write this, my first real “break” into dog training as a newbie was offered to me by Michael Shikashio here in CT during an animal abuse case. ( I used to go to court to show presence against animal abuse ) Long story short, an acquaintance connected me with Michael Shikashio who was asked to help this specific dog. He was putting together a “shelter team”. I reached out, explained I was not a trainer but wanted to learn. He welcomed me whole-heartedly to join.
Fast forward to about 2020 and Covid era, I was still not satisficed with my knowledge and my thirst for knowledge was not quenched. I reached out to Michael Shikashio for guidance and info. He recommended CATCH. I graduated CATCH!
After helping friends and family for free for years (I had imposter syndrome), I finally took the plunge into professional dog training a short 3 years ago.
To this day, I still appreciate and enjoy learning; I will never stop seeking knowledge. I still attend a variety of workshops or online presentations by many. I don’t think I have a favorite. I have always enjoyed listening to many in the field and, always take away some new piece of info. I have learned so much just from this community alone- thank you all!
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Thank you for sharing @jenz ! I agree with you wholeheartedly about keeping an open mind to many different resources — every little nugget of wisdom we pick up is valuable. You never really know who will have something wonderful to share.
To this day, I still get a charge of pleasure when I learn something new or interesting!
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what a round-about way you got into training, but I LOVE IT!!! I think that those unknown and winding paths have SO much substance and really, we are so happy you made it. After imposter syndrome and everything! I feel I’ve been that road, as well. It is always interesting to me that the more you learn, the more I realize what I still don’t know. I don’t know if it’s similar for you.
You are always a huge inspiration to me!!! I love seeing the work you’ve done with your own dogs and family dogs.
Keep being you! I also think it’s so cool that you’ve met Michael Shikashio! And that he advised you towards CATCH. Tremendously cool!
Kudos for everything you’ve posted. ☺️
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Hey! Thanks for your kind words, they are always appreciated and heart-felt.
“that the more you learn, the more I realize what I still don’t know.” This is so true along with the the more I learn the less I seem to remember!
Mike S. actually lives in my state; CT.
Keep up the great work on your end- the dogs are always lucky to have you on their side!
Enjoy the day!
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There are so many but the two that were my first most impactful influencers were my personal trainer for my dog and Michael Shikashio.
My 9 month old corgi was “attacking” my husband and I upwards to the tune of 15+ bites between the two of us. I could go into the details of the experience but to summarize behavioral euthanasia was being discussed – a concept that I had never heard before and could not wrap my head around, but knew that we could not continue like this either. The bites were numerous and severe for such a young dog. I was in foreign territory and had no idea what to do; I loved this dog and hated and feared him at the same time.
I had a trainer come to my house and before the end of the first one hour session had a prong collar on him that, and while I was not a trainer, I knew enough that he was scared and it hurt. I also knew that I could not do what it is they were telling me to do as I could not knowingly cause him fear and pain. I was crushed because if this was the only path forward I would have rathered help him cross over than to be the one to hurt him. I was not ready to give up and went searching for another trainer and that is when Debbie McMullen with Positive Reactions in Pittsburgh, PA came into my life.
I could go on for days about what she did for us, but in short, by the end of the first session, I found myself silently apologizing to my dog. There were so many things that I was contributing to the issue, unintentionally, but all the same it was having an impact on this pup. She taught me so much but the biggest lessons I still carry today was how to hear what he was saying, and how to have a “conversation” with him. How to work with him, not against him, to get both of our needs met.
While I brought my dog into my home, it was Debby who finally gave him to me. She took the nightmare and turned into the dream which sent me on a journey to leave a 20 year career and become a trainer. Nine years later, not only the is he best dog I have ever had, he is my co-worker helping me help dogs like him as my demo dog with my clients and classes. And I am still blessed to have Debby as my mentor.
Because of my experiences with my own dog, I wanted to learn everything I could about aggressive responses in dogs and that led me to Michael Shikashio. Through his Master Course and the Aggression in Dogs Conferences I not only continue to learn and understand these behaviors but I have been led to so many amazing others as well. And while these two have been the most impactful, I would be remised if I did not mention the amazing Kim Brophey, Jim Crosby, Leslie McDevitt, Suzanne Clothier, Simon Gadbois and Daniel Shaw.
Those and so many others that I have been exposed to I carry a little bit of them with me everyday. I feel blessed to stand on the shoulders of these giants through my learning experiences – now and into the future.
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What an amazing journey, @rebeccah — I’m so glad you found such an exceptional mentor and that it helped inspire you to pursue a dog training career. That is a common theme I hear — where someone’s extremely challenging dog leads them down a learning path that culminates in a career change.
When I was younger, I took on some challenging dogs of my own and though it could make life difficult sometimes, I learned so much from them. And for that I’m so grateful as it also helped me become a better resource for my clients too.
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@rebeccah – for sure, a shout out to all the dogs who have taught us so many things along the way… they are the true experts!
And I love seeing that Mike Shikashio has been key to so many here – he’s such a special person and brilliant educator.
I just created a post to honor Karen Pryor and would be remiss if I didn’t mention her here too.
I love all these memories and tributes… I hope you all keep posting more!
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