Karen Cannard, CPDT, ABCMT: Owner/Certified Head Trainer
Certified Pet Dog Trainer
To ensure a level of knowledge and expertise, the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers has established training standards. To be certified, trainers must have at least 300 hours of dog training experience and have passed an exam that assesses basic knowledge of canine training. The test ensures appropriate levels of knowledge in critical areas of canine training. The exam covers instruction skills, animal husbandry, ethology, learning theory and training equipment. The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (www.ccpdt.org) is an independent organization from the APDT. While the APDT does not endorse specific trainers, we endorse the concept of voluntary, periodic certification by examination for pet dog trainers.
Trainers with "CPDT" after their names have earned the Certified Pet Dog Trainer designation.
I have been involved in raising and training dogs for most of my life. I was raised on a farm in Idaho where my parents bred various types of dogs, from German Shepherds to Retrievers.
My Mom, Doris and my Sister, Kathy, still breed Poodles and Miniature Schnauzer's to this day, see http://www.londonhills.com/.
It was a natural for me to stay involved with dogs. I felt at times I was just lucky in having some very wonderful dogs, now I know that it was my natural ability to work with animals and an ability to communicate with them.
As a young adult, I obtained a Black & Silver German Shepherd, ?Pedro? and I also had 3 small children, so I knew he had to go to class. I went to the fair grounds and took some classes, and though he was top in his class, I felt there was something more.
I did not like all the severe corrections and rough dominance exercises as this was an intelligent animal and there had to be a better way. I taught him at home and he was a superior obedience and family dog. After Pedro passed, I was given a Lab/Rhodesian cross by my mother, ?Kumba?. Kumba taught me so very much and through his efforts, I learned true communication with an animal. When he left us at the age of 13, I decided that I needed a smaller breed of dog. Somehow that did not work out, as I then became owned by a very large Rottweiler, ?Rufus? and the rest is history. Again, because of the perceived nature of the breed, his large size and children, we looked for a class and were fortunate enough to find ?Oz Training? in San Jose, CA.
After going through several of her classes, Mandy finally convinced me to become a trainer with her group. I began professionally training in 1992 with OZ Training which was owned and operated by Mandy Book (Author - Quick Clicks) and subsequently bought out by Sirius (Ian Dunbar). I was mentored by Mandy and taught classes 4-5 days a week (everything from Puppy K to CGC and tricks) until I moved to WA state in 1997.
I also trained for Bow Wow Productions from 1994 ? 1996 owned by Stephanie Taunton. We provided animals for movie and production work in the Bay Area and LA. Stephanie also owned a training business with classes that ranged from Basic Obedience to Trick classes to prepare animals for production work. I had the privilege of learning from Stephanie while she rehabilitated aggressive dogs that were in danger of being euthanized, as well as helping "Star" dogs train. My Misti did 2 movies and print work.
I was one of 3 trainers referred by the Santa Clara Humane Society to work with ?3 strikes you?re out? dogs and owners. In other words these dogs had serious aggression issues and usually had bitten. I also did in home private training and boarding for 3 years while still in California.
I am an American Kennel Club certified CGC evaluator, American Temperament Test - Provisional Chief Tester and a professional member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers. I have been to many of APDT?s educational seminars and 2 of the yearly gatherings as well as having attended 5 day workshops with John Rogerson, and John Fisher. I have been to seminars with a variety of professionals such as Karen Pryor, Gary Wilkes, Wendy Volhard, Jean Donaldson, Terry Ryan, and several Tellington Touch workshops as well as many other top trainers. Being a trainer is a forever learning experience. I attend 3 - 4 workshops or seminars per year either in person or on webinars, and am a certified Dog Trainer. Certified thru the Professional Testing Corp. and a Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College.
I have mostly worked in private training and aggression rehabilitation since I moved to WA as well as concentrating on my breeding program for Serenade Rottweilers. I have produced several Champion Rottweilers including CAN/AM CH, multiple Best of Breed, finishing or putting majors on them for their Championships myself. I have several very promising youngsters coming up now. Flash!!!! We have a new Champion, a new Rally title holder, and a brand new Agility title holder!
I have decided to move back into the working and training side of dogs because I have had numerous requests from Vets and dog owners who want me to teach classes, and because I love teaching dogs and their people. There is nothing finer than watching the excitement of owners and dogs when hard work and patience produces results!
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