Mission
To educate dog owners on canine behavior to help them better understand how dogs think and learn in order to better communicate with them. Using the most up to date, scientifically sound, non-aversive techniques will promote a healthy and trustful relationship between us humans and the canines we have domesticated.
About Eric
Eric is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in understanding canine behaviors and the first of only two dog trainer in the state of Idaho who has earned certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the first national certification for dog trainers. Eric now joins 1800 plus Certified Pet Dog Trainers in the United States, Canada, Austria, Ireland, Singapore, Japan, Australia and The Bahamas. Up until the creation of the CCPDT in 2001, there was no true certification process for dog trainers. Many schools teach dog trainers and offer certification for their specific programs. These certificates, therefore, reflect the teachings and quality of a specific school. Other organizations offer take-home tests for “certification.” The trainers are not monitored to make sure they are completing the test without any assistance or collaboration, nor is the testing process standardized.
This unprecedented process was originally implemented by the APDT, the largest association of dog trainers in the world, founded by noted veterinarian, behaviorist, and author Dr. Ian Dunbar. Early on, the APDT recognized the need for certification for its profession. Pet dog trainers needed a credible means of measuring their knowledge and skills and the dog-owning public needed a credible barometer for choosing a trainer. A task force of approximately 20 internationally known dog training professionals and behaviorists worked for three years to research and develop the comprehensive written examination. The APDT also hired Professional Testing Corporation to ensure the process met professional testing standards. It then created a separate, independent council — the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers — to manage the accreditation and pursue future development.
Prior to opening his Canine Behavior Consulting business Eric worked as the Animal Behavior Specialist for the local animal shelter in North Idaho. He is a certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the AKC and a professional member of the (APDT) Association of pet dog trainer.
Eric is a proud volunteer member of (HEART) Humane Evacuation Animal Rescue Team, of Spokane WA. Eric is also constantly training to be prepared for deployment nationaly and internationaly with (AHA) American Humane Association's Red Star Team, and also (IFAW) International Fund for Animal Welfare.
