I've been training professionally for over 30 years. I hold a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M and will complete my master's degree in behavioral psychology in 2023. I've had my CPDT-KA certification for 10 years, meaning I had to show education, experience, and training results and pass a comprehensive exam on animal training. I've competed with my own dogs in conformation, obedience, and rally; I've trained service dogs and family dogs and cats. I enjoy taking my current mannerly dog with me wherever I go - he's visited 11 states at the age of 3, stayed in hotels, visited national parks, restaurants, and tourist attractions. I've racked up hundreds of hours of continuing education over the years, and continue to do so - check out my resume at themannerlydog.com
Certifications:
CPDT-KA
Dog training services include
- Deaf dog training
- Reactive dog training
- Service dog training
- Off leash training
- Puppy training
More info about Nancy Kelly's dog training:
Do you want the best possible lifelong relationship with the dog of your dreams? I have a wealth of education and experience in applied behavior analysis to share with you in a way that works for you and your dog to learn to be partners. Are you getting a new dog or puppy? Start training with me when you first bring your new dog or puppy home! Do you already have the dog of your dreams but you haven't yet gotten around to doing the training necessary to really feel that? Today is the first day of the rest of your life with your dog - let's work together to make your dreams come true.
Behavioral issue focus:
Does your dog appear to not "listen" or have "selective deafness"? Maybe he's listening, but he just doesn't understand what you're talking about. I'll help you sort out how your dog is perceiving the world along with what you want him to do and create a training plan to achieve your goals. In most cases, foundation skills are missing so that's where we begin. Learning to be your dog's partner allows you to observe what's going on with him in a new way. Training for you and your dog together is the most effective way to work through behavioral issues like barking, bad manners at the front door, jumping on you and your guests, and making poor choices in general. With a strong foundation of skills and a repertoire of good choice-making, your dog can truly be a pleasure to live with.
Dog training methods:
I am committed to science-based, positive reinforcement training and I'll teach you to do it skillfully. I start with an initial consultation in which we analyze problems and characterize your household and lifestyle, and then I'll recommend a training package, often the Beyond Basic Manners Curriculum. I often begin directly with Beyond Basic Manners if foundation skills are not where they need to be, because we need those foundation skills to solve behavioral problems. I provide detailed training plans and homework assignments that are easy to understand and perform and that give long-lasting results. The best training happens in small, detailed successes that we can build on. I stay in close communication with you throughout your training package through virtual training sessions, telephone homework reviews and coaching, and daily check-ins as needed.
Why I became a dog trainer:
I originally became a dog trainer after I saw what training could do with my own first dog. I continued learning when I had more and more questions about how animals learn and how different training techniques worked. I continue to train because I am fascinated by the power of behavior change in both humans and non-humans, and I love knowing that there's a science of behavior we can rely on to understand how best to teach our furry best friends.
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
My favorite part of being a dog trainer is the immense satisfaction and fulfillment I get from my students. When, at the last session of a training package, a student asks me how to approach their next training challenge and starts answering their own question using what I've taught and applying it to a new problem, I am ecstatic. I'm proud of myself but even more thrilled that this human is now able to use behavior science to solve training problems in a way that is fun and functional for the dog. That's what I'm here to do - teach the science of behavior in a way that is useful to my students.
My #1 dog training tip:
My #1 dog training tip is "Make it easy for the dog to understand what you want." If it seems like the dog is not "listening," stop, look, and listen yourself - What did you say? What did you do? What else is going on? Your dog is "listening" to filter out the noise and find something that is meaningful to him; if nothing you say is meaningful, it's your job to make it so - and it's not hard to do. Be aware of what you're doing and use positive reinforcement to pair a few, specific words that you want to be meaningful with good things, and this problem will go away.
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Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you
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David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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