Animal Behavior College Reviews & Success Stories
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Heike Warnecke-Williams
Since I spent my childhood years growing up in the rural countryside of Germany, I was always surrounded by animals of all shapes and sizes. When you live in the middle of farmland, you develop certain skills in understanding animal behaviors whether you like it or not. I relished it.
Into my teen years I was hands on with a couple of local farms, helping to feed and clean and exercise their animals. I seemed to grow a sixth sense with dogs, to understand their mentality and how to interact with their behavioral patterns. I felt it just came easy to me.
It finally began to sink in to me that my destiny was to work with dogs and animals in general, when I had a very bad week with animals (in one week, I was bitten by a mouse whilst trying to save it from a flooded field, bitten by a horse during a feed and bitten by a dog attempting to pet the animal). To this day, my family still jokes about my escapades with animals and in particular, my humorous animal interaction of that whole week.
Since that turning point for me, I have tried to understand and predict animal behavior and have always looked for a way to fulfill my dream of being an animal trainer (i.e. a dog trainer). I am finally fulfilling my dream now.
I have completed some courses over the years, in between raising a family, and now, with some valued spare time, I have engaged Animal Behavior College to further my goal of becoming an animal trainer. This course has advanced me (and my Bloodhound Muttley) so much that I now feel completely comfortable in my ability as an instructor, a trainer, and a consultant. To now know how to be able to enhance the relationship and experience between owner and dog.
Of course, my experience and activity knowledge will complete me over time, but the whole process with ABC has given me the confidence to finally make the decision between wondering if I really know what I can do to knowing exactly what I can achieve.
I have arrived to where my destiny yearned. Thank you ABC.
Thank you to my ABC Mentor Trainer, Terri, for all your excellent advice, as a teacher, and as a confidante!
Woof Woof…Keep tails wagging…
Elizabeth Lemmel
I always had a love of animals, especially dogs. I was never allowed to have any animals growing up, which is why I now have 2 Black Labs (Dallas & Tuffet), 1 Chocolate Lab (Hershey), an Alaskan Malamute (Timber), and a cat (Mya). My interest in dog training came when I took our first dog, Dallas, to an obedience class 9 years ago. After achieving much success with Dallas, I began helping family and friends with training their furry companions. (My sister calls me "the dog whisperer" because I had such a calming effect on their dog.)
In October 2003, I decided to leave my 17 year career of software developing to pursue my passion. I graduated from the Animal Behavior College in the Spring of 2004, where I earned my certification in dog training. I enjoyed the course immensely and felt like I was able to further develop my training techniques. I felt the apprenticeship was helpful in that it allowed me to see a different approach.
In the future, I would like to train service dogs for people with disabilities.
ABC - Thanks for the new career! I really love it.
Andrea Bellomo
I never had any dogs until about 5 years ago, and my life has not been the same ever since. He is my best friend and companion. I was at a time in my life where I didn't know what direction I wanted to take my career. I became clear to me that nothing was more rewarding and fun than to do something with animals.
I decided to join Animal Behavior College so I could not only love my career, but I could help other people understand and train their dog companions. My experience at ABC was fun! The curriculum taught me a lot of valuable information, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. I especially enjoyed the hands on training. I also met many other people along the way that love animals as much as I do.
A special thanks to all the people I worked with at the Animal Behavior College who helped me start my journey to becoming a dog trainer!
Liz Huskey
Pet Trainer
When I first started considering taking a course in dog training, I had already been volunteering at a Humane Society to train dogs in basic commands to help with making them more desirable for adoption. I also helped to walk and socialize the dogs and cats.
I have always loved animals and had a continuous variety of pets since I was 3 years old. I believe in the humane treatment and handling of all pets. So, when choosing a dog training school, I wanted to be assured that positive reinforcement methods were used. I found Animal Behavior College on-line while looking through the various schools out there. ABC stood out because of its curriculum and professional approach.
Once I began the program, I was thoroughly satisfied with the results. I was assigned a program manager, Julie, who was always available and ready to assist as needed. I had the options of emailing or calling for assistance. This made the program very convenient and reliable. I would recommend ABC to anyone wanting to learn how to work with dogs and in a positive way. The hands-on section of the program allowed me the opportunity to work with a variety of dogs and people. This proved to be very beneficial to the overall process.
Having graduated the program, I feel prepared and ready to continue to build a successful career in a field that I have desired as far back as I can remember….loving and caring for animals.
Jeanette Hill
A year ago I started a quest to become a Certified Dog Trainer. I found information online about ABC and made my call. From that point on, it is a decision I have not regretted. It has been a real experience and a lot of fun to go through the Animal Behavior College (ABC).
I have loved animals for as long as I can remember; I had a lot when I was a child. I had a Betta fish about a year ago that I enjoyed. I love to watch birds, squirrels and anything else that God put here for us to enjoy. I made a decision to go into dog training to be able to help the dogs who were being put to sleep or given away because the owners could not handle their behaviors and thought there was no hope.
With my ABC Mentor Trainer, Stacy, we were able to work with several different dogs in a shelter program. This was great because each dog had their own temperament, which made it a challenging, yet valuable, learning experience. Working with the dogs week after week, results were obvious almost immediately. The dogs were great students. Through perseverance we accomplished our goal.
In conclusion, I find that the program at ABC has page after page of valuable information, great available trainers in the field and great people who help you begin your journey. This makes for a success in my life to become the best dog trainer in Texas! I would highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to make dog training a full time career, or even part time.
Thank You ABC for giving me the best career I could ask for!
Karla Mathis
Marketing/Real Estate Agent
I have always gravitated to animals, especially dogs. After helping a friend foster 2 Springer Spaniel mix dogs - Samson and Molly – and having to part with Molly to an adoptive family, I knew I couldn’t let Samson go and realized my true passion in life- dogs! I was bored in my full-time job and wanted to do something that allowed me the opportunity to work with these wonderful animals. I did some research on the Internet and happened upon Animal Behavior College. After signing up and completing the curriculum and hands-on training, I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences I’ve had and one of the best decisions I have ever made! Jori, my Program Manager, was a delight to work with and very, very helpful. ABC exceeded my expectations in every way! I hope to apply my new knowledge in the very near future and eventually work on a full-time basis with “man’s best friend”.
Maureen Urpani
Before I found Animal Behavior College, I did not have any formal dog training experience. But I'd always had dogs growing up, even as many as 6 at a time when I was living in Africa. I spent a lot of time animal watching and I volunteered in shelters and sanctuaries. I saw such incredible misunderstanding between dogs and their owners and I thought it such a shame. So I decided to better the odds in my own little way, by becoming a dog trainer.
At ABC I learned the fundamentals of what to do to achieve my goals. ABC showed me how to get where I wanted to be. I especially enjoyed the comprehensive curriculum presented in the program and the special attention showed to me by the Program Manager.
I have such a strong desire to impart all the knowledge I have as fast as I can. So, I am pursuing a training career by researching various training methods and by working for ABTA as Group Class Obedience Instructor. I am very determined and confident that I can use the knowledge and experience that I gained from ABC along with my communication skills to bring the world of dogs and people together.
Nancy Phillips
Breeder of Brittany Spaniels & Rottweilers
I graduated Animal Behavior College in October of 2000 and was thrilled when I was offered a Group Obedience Instructor position with Petco. I accepted the position and currently teach at two Petco stores in the Houston Metro area.
In the past, I have been a breeder of Brittany Spaniels and Rottweilers, but I have been a dog lover all my life. I decided to become a professional dog trainer after enrolling my Weimaraner puppy in an obedience course at Petco. I had always wanted to have a career that involved animals and it became apparent to me that it was a definite possibility after reading the flyer I received when I joined the class.
I feel that I have found the true passion in my life and have plans to advance my training education even further. I have started a Pet Sitting business and am loving it. I enjoy my work more than I ever could have imagined. It is so fulfilling to see how many people are interested in having their dog be a well-mannered member of their family and of society. I believe I am helping Pet Owners make the ‘canine connection’ with their dogs, and these people are a ‘breed’ of their own and should be applauded as being responsible pet owners and citizens.
PJ DiCarlo
Professional Pet Groomer
As a Professional Pet Groomer for over 25 years, I heard innumerable heart breaking stories from my clients about their unsolved pet problems. I always wanted to help them, I just didn’t know how.
One day I read a brochure at Petco about Animal Behavior & Training Associates, Inc., describing their positive motivational training methods. I called the 800 number listed on the brochure and to my delight I learned about Animal Behavior College (ABC), a school for dog trainers. I enrolled in ABC, completed the course and became a Professional Dog Obedience Trainer.
Words cannot explain how rewarding it is to me, to now be able to help others have happy, healthy relationship with their dogs. My only regret is that I didn’t find out about ABC years ago.
Wendy Walsh
Retail Sales
Years ago I took the public bus to college and every morning there was a man with his seeing eye dog. I would look at the dog and think "What a great career, training dogs to help people." Well years later, stuck working in retail, I thought I really needed to get into something I like doing. At this point my mother started showing Shiba Inu's and asked me if I could help her. At one of the shows they had Search & Rescue dogs, again what a great career. After 4 years of showing dogs I took one of the puppies I kept from one of my litters to an obedience class at Petco. I thought if I could train a Shiba Inu I can train anything!!! I talked to the person training the class who told me to call Animal Behavior College (ABC). I told them my goal of becoming a professional dog trainer and came to the decision that enrolling in ABC would be the first step in the right direction. I successfully completed ABC and am now a full time mom and teach two dog obedience group classes a week at Petco in Woburn MA. I was right, “What a great career!”
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