Vanessa (she/her) has been involved in the dog world since 2010 with roles like volunteer dog walker, volunteer manager, staff kennel attendant, dog sitter, and foster parent. She cites her most notable experiences as: joining several of her rescue friends out of state assisting in dog fighting confiscation efforts (#367), interning at the Humane Society of the United States in their state legislative affairs department, presenting her Master of Public Health thesis "Breed Specific Legislation: Does policy equal prevention?" at the largest annual public health conference, becoming a founding member of the Pittsburgh, PA based non-profit, The Proper Pit Bull, and finally, as a full time professional dog handler to a specially trained Canine Advocate named Nelly for a local victim services organization. The lessons she learned in this position greatly influenced her approach to group training classes where she has been a lead instructor since 2019. Continuing education has always been important to Vanessa and she is grateful for the dogs that are always willing to teach her something new. While she may not have her official certification (yet), she appreciates that quality content continues to become more accessible for others like herself and is inspired by the work being done in the force free world. At the heart of it all lies her dogs: Belle (2019), Henry (2020), Sasha (2021), Nelly, and Keisel. Vanessa currently lives in Pittsburgh with her best boy, Keisel, and also works in public health research.
Dog training services include
- Reactive dog training
- In home training
- Puppy training
More info about Vanessa Wheeler's dog training:
I teach group manners classes at one of our local shelters. Our classes range from Puppy Kindergarten to Level 2 Intermediate Adult. Our sessions are 6-7 weeks long and meet for one hour. We focus on providing a strong foundation so our learners are set up to succeed no matter where their training journey takes them. I am most proud of our Bully Breed basic manners classes that are the product of a partnership with local non-profit The Proper Pit Bull. The curriculum isn't different, but the spirit of the classes is. A deeper sense of community is gained in a room full of our beloved breed and their beloved humans.
Behavioral issue focus:
The most prevalent behavioral issues we see in classes include: reactivity (various types), anxiety, and arousal/impulse control.
Dog training methods:
All of my lessons have a basis in science and force free methods. Many of our learners aren't familiar with concepts like thin slicing, adjusting criteria, or how to be clear and consistent. This informed the design of our weekly lessons, how they flow, and the additional resources that are provided.
During orientation I ask our learners what they hope to get out of the course and adjust/adapt specific lessons as much as possible. Certain requests can be difficult to address in a group setting but I am lucky to have great assistants that can help provide additional one on one time if needed.
Each group level focuses on engagement, foundation behaviors, handling/technical skills and communication basics for humans. As our class levels progress we build on proofing and fluency.
Upon graduation, I assess the progress each team has made and advise our training department manager on what I think would be most beneficial for them.
Why I became a dog trainer:
After spending so much time in the shelter/rescue world, I wanted to do more to help keep pets in their homes. Around this time, I was also introduced to work by Sophia Yin, Patricia McConnell, and Emily Larlham. I was fascinated with all of this new information but most importantly, I found it fun!
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
Watching dogs figure something out for the first time!
My #1 dog training tip:
Listen to your dog! They're constantly answering our questions and giving us feedback.
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Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you
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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