Erika Austin, CPDT-KSA, CTDI
Erika Austin, CPDT-KSA, CTDI
with her rescued Border Collie, "Dash"
Erika is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), and a
Canine Training Professional with the Pet Professional Guild.
Erika has more than 10 years of experience working with dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments. She has interned under licensed veterinarians, volunteered with countless animal rescue groups, worked at several different doggy daycare centers,
and was employed as a shelter manager for a no-kill animal shelter before
starting her own pet photography business.
Erika loves getting to know the people who love their dogs and is a passionate teacher,
of both human and canines! She believes that it's important for her clients to understand why dogs behave the way they do so that they can learn to problem-solve together. As a dedicated coach, Erika will customize each lesson to align with your personal training goals.
Whether it's jumping on visitors, pulling on the leash, or house-training a new puppy,
Erika is eager to help you find a solution that works for you and your dog!
Want to get in touch with Erika? Click here...
What makes Dandelion Dog Training different?
CPDT- KSA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and an objective skills-based assessment along with at least 300 hours of dog training experience.
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), established in 2001, is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction.
To learn more about the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers visit www.ccpdt.org
Pet Professional Guild
PPG promotes the use of positive operant and respondent training methods, both personally and professionally, and holds that all training should be conducted in a manner that encourages pets to enjoy the process, which will, in turn, lead them to become more confident and well-adjusted pets. PPG members optimize the use of applied behavior analysis to systematically identify and resolve problem behaviors using the least aversive and intrusive methods, tools and equipment. Further, both PPG and its members actively recommend against the use of any training tools and equipment whose purpose and/or intent is to interrupt or redirect behavior using fear, force or pain.
One of PPG’s key missions is to build an international coalition of competent and ethical pet professional service providers that can create widespread industry transparency regarding the use and purpose of commercially available pet training and care tools and equipment.
To learn more about the The Pet Professional Guild visit www.petprofessionalguild.com
LIMA Compliant
What Is LIMA?
“LIMA” is an acronym for the phrase “least intrusive, minimally aversive”. LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective with minimal risk of producing aversive side effects. LIMA adherence also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used.
LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies. In the vast majority of cases, desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal’s environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counter-conditioning.
LIMA Is Competence-Based
LIMA requires trainers/consultants to work to increase the use of positive reinforcement and eliminate the use of punishment when working with animal and human clients. In order to ensure best practices, consultants should pursue and maintain competence in animal behavior consulting and training through continuing education, and hands-on experience. Trainers/consultants should not advise on problems outside the recognized boundaries of their competencies and experience.
Positive Reinforcement and Understanding the Learner
Positive reinforcement should be the first line of teaching, training, and behavior change program considered, and should be applied consistently. Positive reinforcement is associated with the lowest incidence of aggression, attention seeking, avoidance, and fear in learners. 3
Only the learner determines what may be reinforcing. It is crucial that the trainer/consultant understands and has the ability to appropriately apply this principle. This fact may mean that the trainer/consultant assesses any handling, petting, food, tool, and environment each time the learner experiences them. Personal bias must not determine the learner’s experience. The measure of each stimulus is whether the learner’s target behavior is strengthening or weakening, not the trainer/consultant’s intent or preference.
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