Understanding animals and their behavior has always been a passion of mine. I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and various other types of animals throughout my childhood. The more time I spend with animals, the more I realize the disconnected communication we often tend to have with them. Animals, and dogs especially, are always talking to us. It's our job to stop, listen, and kindly teach them about our human world! I have an extensive background working with shelter and rescue dogs. Stemming from this comes my special love for small breed dogs, and although I work with all dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people reach their full potential with their small breed dogs, who can often be overlooked and misunderstood. I strive to make my two rescued small breed dogs, Phoebe and Pocket, an example to the fact that small dogs are just as trainable and just as deserving of a fulfilled life as any other dog! We spend most of our days learning tricks, practicing nosework, adventuring out in nature, or curled up watching movies on the couch.I graduated in 2018 with my Bachelor's in Psychology from Auburn University, and continued on to work for over 5 years in animal sheltering/rescue, where I generated a lot of experience handling various dogs with different degrees of behavioral needs. From there, I pursued my passion for training by becoming a multi-certified professional dog trainer, and haven't looked back! I strive to be approachable, accessible, and non-judgemental when working with clients. My goal is always progress over perfection, and I will never try to hold you to unrealistic or unhelpful standards when working together. We do better when we know better, and all of us always have something new to learn in life!
Certifications:
CPDT-KA, FDM
Dog training services include
- Aggressive dog training
- Reactive dog training
- In home training
- Off leash training
- Puppy training
More info about Abbey Johnson's dog training:
Private in-home training, private virtual training, group classes, day training, limited board-and-train. Life skills, behavior modification for fear, reactivity, overarousal, etc. Puppy foundation training, canine good citizen prep training, trick training, small dog training
Behavioral issue focus:
Leash reactivity, fearful/anxious dogs, overarousal, resource guarding
Dog training methods:
I use a holistic approach to address behavior issues- we look at the whole dog including their breed, early learning experiences, environment, health, and exercise/enrichment needs to ensure the dog is at a proper behavioral baseline for the best results. Long-lasting results require more than just a 1-2-3 step training method!
Why I became a dog trainer:
I have had an interest in animal behavior for my entire life, and this interest was only further solidified throughout my college experience as I gained my degree in Psychology alongside simultaneously working with shelter dogs. After working in the shelter and rescue world for some years, it continued to be apparent to me that our society still seems to struggle to understand our dogs and the "why" behind many of their behaviors. Helping dogs start out life on the right foot through puppyhood, initial months after adoption, and helping dog owners who are struggling with behavioral issues are great ways to help keep dogs out of shelters!
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
I really enjoy watching my clients start to truly understand their dogs. A little understanding of behavior got a really long way when it comes to being able to harmoniously live together for years to come! Positive reinforcement and relationship-based training can really create an indescribable bond between handler and dog, and being able to facilitate that for people is the most rewarding part of my job. When dogs are happy, their people are happy too!
My #1 dog training tip:
When in doubt, reward it! It's really difficult to over-reward desirable behavior, and most of the time we should be rewarding our dogs more! The stronger the reinforcement history, the more likely your dog is going to be able to perform the desired behavior when you really need it in "real life scenarios."
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Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you
David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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