Karen Pryor Academy

One of the reasons why I will have limited time to blog now that I am back is because I am an official student of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA). Last month I started the Professional Dog Trainer Program and it's blowing my mind :). Hopefully come August I will be able to add KPA-CTP behind my name, at least that is the goal!

KPA is huge time commitment so sadly blogging has to take a back seat, but I am still going to stick to my goal of posting twice a week now that I am alive again :). Rookie is actually excited for this program - KPA requires me to have a dog to take through the course and Rookie, sadly, is the only dog in the house that fits all the requirements (i.e., is dog-friendly, comfortable in new environments, and can be crated).

Rookie says he's ready!

Many people have asked me why I would bother paying/enrolling in KPA since I have already been teaching for so long and already have a CPDT-KA certification. Well dog training is a unregulated industry and anyone can give themselves the title of dog trainer. There are tons of people out there that have years of experience and are great at what they do and I don't want to take away from that, but I believe that you should have more than just experience. I believe dog trainers should have experience, and education, and credentials. Dogs lives are literally in our hands and I think we should have some legitimate accomplishments to back us up. Plus I really love learning :).

I am also a firm believer in continuing education. In continually pushing yourself to learn more and not becoming complacent in your knowledge and skill. KPA is going to be hard, but it will likely be one of my greatest accomplishments. I'm so lucky to have this opportunity (shout out to my husband for making this possible!) so now I just have to make the most of it!

I also get to work with this cutie :). Meet Millie!

Tomorrow is the start of our first two-day long workshop weekends (there are four total). Needless to say I am a total wreck and Rookie could care less (although he is enthusiastic about the packing of all the treats and chews for the weekends!). Wish us luck this weekend!