Kris' Certifications & Other Qualifications
I'm a dog mom: I have fostered many dogs over the years, and I currently have three dogs—all rescues. I have experience with puppies, teens, large dogs, fearful dogs, and hyper / over-stimulated dogs.
I'm a rescue volunteer: I have worked with both fosters and adopters in helping manage and overcome problem behaviors; I help dogs and their people—especially folks that haven't had a dog before—to learn basic skills. I have conducted classes for rescue puppy adopters that were well-attended and had great successes.
I'm a public school teacher: I have more than 20 years of high school teaching experience; currently I teach AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) Psychology. I have a deep understanding of behaviorism and positive reinforcement, in both theory and application.
I'm a certified dog trainer: I have earned my CPDT-KA credential from CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers), which is the premiere authority for certifying dog trainers worldwide.
I'm a member of the APDT: I'm a proud member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers), where to love a dog is to love the dog's trainer. ( APDT)
I'm a member of The Pet Professional Guild: I'm also a proud member of The Pet Professional Guild—No Pain, No Force, No Fear! ( The Pet Professional Guild)
What is dog training certification?
Dog training is an unregulated industry, meaning there are no licensing requirements or regulatory oversight. Literally anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. So how, do you, as a make the right choice when picking a dog trainer for you and your dog? One way is to look for independent certification.
Being certified by the CCPDT means that I have:
- Logged hundreds of hours of hands-on dog training experience
- Passed a rigorous exam testing my dog-training knowledge
- Signed a pledge to follow a strict Code of Ethics for my personal and business conduct
- Demonstrated a commitment to continuing education and professional development
- Exemplified a commitment to professional excellence
What is the CCPDT?
The CCPDT is an independent, nonprofit credentialing organization. Its purpose is to assess, test, and evaluate dog training and behavior professionals through a set of standardized tests.
Thousands of dog trainers worldwide maintain the CCPDT's certifications to demonstrate their mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Learn more about the CCPDT.
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