As a Fear Free Certified Professional, I believe that cooperative care is the new way forward in pet handling and training. I was thrilled to learn that one of our local dog trainers is highly trained and exceptionally dedicated to ethical and science-based methods of dog rearing. Today, I want to spotlight Sydney Warner of Clever Critters and recommend her services to Hampton Roads pet parents interested in building a happy bond with humane behavior care plans.
Education & Certifications
Dog training is unregulated; anybody can call themselves a dog trainer. For this reason, I believe that education and certifications tell us a lot about the professional we're considering. They are, often, one of the only ways we, as consumers, can understand what we're getting when we hire a trainer for our beloved pet(s.)
Certifications are challenging, requiring skills and knowledge to attain, and require a significant investment in time and money. When a trainer attains such a level of education and training, you can be sure that their advice is based on a profound understanding of our animal companions, what motivates them, and how to shape their behavior.
Credentials
When you visit Sydney's website, you will see the many dog behavior courses she has completed. They include some of the most reputable certifying bodies in the dog training industry. Sydney has achieved the following degrees and certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Focus on Animal Behavior
Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer
Diploma of Canine Behavior Science and Technology
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Accredited Dog Trainer
Fear Free Certified Professional (Elite)
Family Paws Parent Education
Low Stress Handling (Silver)
Puppy Start Right Instructor
Memberships
Reviewing their memberships is another way to know how serious a pet professional is about their trade. Like me, Sydney is an active member of the Pet Professional Guild. Pet Professional Guild is "building an international coalition of competent and ethical pet service professionals who can create widespread industry transparency regarding the use and purpose of commercially available pet training and care tools and equipment."
When interviewing a pet trainer, it is essential to discuss the tools they plan to use to modify and form behaviors. At Hearts at Home Pet Sitting, we stand by the use of positive reinforcement and reward-based training. We do not employ aversive tools like choke, prong, or shock collars nor do we recommend punishment-based methods.
The right dog trainer creates a mutually beneficial experience for pets and pet parents. By prioritizing your bond, fostering trust, and encouraging mutual respect, you'll achieve the desired results with your pet's buy-in rather than against it. For this reason, we urge you to do your research before hiring a pet trainer.
At Hearts at Home, we are happy to cooperate in your pet's ethical training. If you engage Clever Critters or any other local dog trainer, please let us know. We are happy to use your cues and sustain your pet's learning during our visits.
We offer in-home dog walking and pet sitting services in Yorktown, Poquoson, Newport News, and Hampton, Virginia. To register your pet(s) or home with us, please complete a new client questionnaire here. Existing clients may request services here. Those outside our service area are encouraged to find a pet sitter near you at the Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters websites.
Please visit our website or contact us by email at Hello@HeartsAtHomePetSitting.com or by phone at 757-745-9868 to learn more. We look forward to being a part of your pet care team!
Comments