Dog Training, Cat and Dog Sitting in Winnipeg

Qualifications including Training, Certification and Memberships:
We consistently participate in webinars, seminars, workshops and conferences.
1.	Tellington Touch for Companion Animals: July 2011 Six-day Workshop in Bloomington, MN. Bodywork and groundwork for body awareness and stress reduction in pets. TTouch is a gentle approach for influencing behavior, health and performance with bodywork, body wraps, and balanced movement exercises. TTouch can easily be used in conjunction with other non-invasive, reward-based methods and behavioral modification, thus enhancing and accelerating treatment.
2.	From shelter to new home: introduction of cats in transition, July 2011 Course description: When a cat comes from the shelter it's not uncommon for the family to expect kitty to immediately recognize his good fortune and fit right into the family. Sadly, many shelter cats have emotional issues due to the initial reason for the relinquishment or abandonment. These issues must be addressed in the new home. This presentation will help the animal professional to guide owners through the process of bringing a shelter cat into the home, setting up a sanctuary room, bonding issues, and introduction to family and other pets. It Takes Two: Successful Cat and Dog Interactions, APDT Webinar, June 2011 Introducing pets and ensuring they are able to live peacefully together. Two Behavior Problems: Socialization Issues and Possession, Trish King, Raising Canine, Jan 2011 Two related problems – proper socialization and resource guarding. If early socialization is done properly, we can avoid problems such as resource guarding. Puppy Socialization the Right Way - Grisha Stewart, Raising Canine, Feb 2011 Developmental periods, pitfalls to avoid Association of Pet Dog Trainers' Conference, October 2010 Attended the Feisty Fido's workshop, K9 Nose Work seminar, Advanced Lure Reward Training, and other seminars.
3.	Fear and Conflict telecourse with Trish King, September 2010 Conflicted emotions in dogs and modifying their behavior.
4.	Raising Canine's Learning Theory Series Telecourses, August 2010 Concepts most beneficial to Animal Behaviour Consultants (12 hours) Session 1: Science, Language, Nature vs Nurture, the Humane Hierarchy Session 2: Functional Assessment, the Stages of Learning Session 3: Respondent Learning: Overshadowing, Blocking, Counter Conditioning & Desensitization Session 4: Operant Learning: the Quadrant, Shaping Session 5: Operant Learning Continued - review Session 6: Shaping, Extinction (respondent and operant), Primary & Secondary Reinforcers, Shaping, Punishment and potential fallout Session 7: Reinforcement Schedules, Practical Applications, ie. desensitization, BAT, CAT, etc. Session 8: Reinforcement Schedules Shaping
5.	ABC Certified Dog Trainer, August 2010 Karin graduated from Animal Behaviour College's dog trainer educational program. This was a comprehensive program taken over a period of 10 months with textbook study, hands-on experience in training dogs in a group class environment at the Winnipeg Humane Society, and volunteering with rescue shelters - Deebo Dogs in Selkirk, MB and Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter.
6.	Attended Pet Sitters International's Regional Conference in Atlanta, GA, September 2009 This was a great experience. Enjoyed the workshops and meeting so many others in the industry. The day included Pet Emergencies led by a DVM, a session on Legal Considerations for Small Business Owners led by an attorney, and a session on Business Branding led by the 2008 PSI pet sitter of the year.
7.	Accredited Pet Sitter, 2005 & 2010 This accreditation requires renewing every three years and CEU's are required in order to be recertified. The educational program includes animal behavior, health and nutrition, pet first aid, and many other topics related to pets. To view the certificate: Pet-Sitter-Accreditation.gif As graduates are considered to be less of an insurance risk this certification is recognized by the insurance provider, and as a result we receive a discount on our annual premium.
8.	The following two accreditations are from the previous program offered through PSI. Accredited Pet Sitting Technician and Advanced Pet Sitting Technician (program content is listed at the bottom of this page*).
9.	Associate (clinical) member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. We are working towards certification specializing in both canine and feline behaviour. Associate members are consultants in practice, on the path to Certified membership.
10.	Trained in pet first aid. Our latest training was St. John Ambulance's Pet First Aid course, October 18, 2008. We also took Pet Tech, Inc's, 8-hour Pet Saver workshop in July 2006. We carry a first aid kit and have pet crates for transportation of pets. We also carry a cell phone for safety and client convenience.
11.	Member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) and a number of other professional business organizations.
12.	Prepared and have an emergency plan in place.
13.	Fully insured and bonded in providing pet services.
14.	Certificate in Project Management, 2003 - Red River College
15.	Continuing with additional training - always learning more.
16.	Licensed with the City of Winnipeg.