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SDR Approved Dog Trainers


We at Summit Dog Rescue can't emphasize enough how important working with a positive reinforcement/force free trainer in basic skills classes, and also privately if needed, can benefit you and your dog! A positive reinforcement/force free training class doesn't just teach your dog behaviors that we like -- it teaches your dog how to make good choices, control their impulses and use their brain to manipulate their environment to make good things happen. It is incredible to see the confidence level transform in dogs who do positive training. 
A good trainer will never use force, startle, pressure or fear. Fear is not training -- it is intimidation. What happens if your dog to responds to you out of fear? Fear, pain, startle and pressure all release cortisol in the brain -- so force training can easily create fear in your dog, and many unwanted behaviors can emerge due to anxiety and fear, such as aggression. Also, force training doesn't "teach" your dog any behaviors that are desirable, or life skills. It teaches them to be fearful, and that randomly, humans can be mean and dangerous. Dogs don't have the mental capability to know "right" from "wrong"... they don't have a moral compass, instead they understand "safe" and "unsafe." A dog who feels unsafe is not an ideal family dog by any means... so why would we actively teach our dogs to feel unsafe about their world?

​Many trainers use either solely dominance techniques or are "balanced" trainers who use both. The field of dog training is not regulated, so it is important to hire a qualified, evidence-based, ethical,  positive reinforcement/force free trainer.  Ask your potential trainer "what will happen if my dog doesn't do the behavior you ask?" .

We have screened every trainer on this list below for qualifications, high level of education in learning theory and force-free methods.

If you don't see a trainer listed in your area, email us and we will find you one.


​Boulder County 
          Gigi Moss - GigiMoss.com
          Boulder Humane - BoulderHumane.org
          Emily Wolf - www.brilliantpupbehavior.com
          Jamie Flanagan, Training Wheels - TrainingWheels.dog
          Mary Angilly - MaryAngilly.com
          Chrissy Messick, The Animal Nature -  TheAnimalNature.com 
          Nadia Magallon, Rewarding Dog Training - RewardingDogTraining.com
          

Arvada/Golden/Lakewood    
          Ginger Corlew - OnePawAtATimeTraining.com
          Sandra Winfrey - Dreamlike4Paws.com  (currently in south Aurora but soon to be in Parker, CO - see below)
          Marni Center and Mehak Greenberg, Sensible Canine - SensibleCanine.com 
​
Broomfield 
          Julie Parker, Rocky Mountain Dog Training - RockyMountainDogTraining.com/    
          Maureen Stevens, Bee a Good Dog - BeeAGoodDog.com  

Centennial/Parker/Castle Rock              
          Sandra Winfrey - Dreamlike4paws.com

​Colorado Springs              
          All Breed Rescue and Training - HaveANiceDog.org/train
          House of Dog - HouseOfDogTraining.com/
          Trudi Schoening, Mountain Paws Dog Training - MountainPawsTraining.com

Denver Area  
          The Noble Beast - NobleBeastDogTraining.com/
          Denver's Dream Dog - DenverDreamDog.com
​          Bettina Shaden - TrustEvolved.dog
          Sam Griffin (South Denver and virtual) - Wisewhiskerstraining.com
          Marni Center and Mehak Greenberg - SensibleCanine.com       

Fort Collins
          Summit Dog Training -   SummitDogTraining.com/
          Dogs by Foster - DogsByFoster.com


Frederick / Erie / Brighton
          Amelia Wieber, Caring Behavior - CaringBehavior.com

Greeley
          ​Blythe Neer (Bouchard) - DeltaTails.com

Longmont / Berthoud / Hygiene/ Denver
          Elisheba Fe​y - ArtAndScience.dog. Elisheba does excellent remote consults via Zoom. She is a certified behavior consultant
                   and SDR uses her for our difficult cases.
           Kathy Fischer - PawsitiveApproach.com
           Kiyoka Tamesue - TheCooperativeK9.com




VIDEO LINKS TO GREAT TRAINERS ON YOUTUBE
  
   You can subscribe to these trainers and watch all their videos. We can't recommend them enough: 

   All Dogs Go to Kevin -  https://www.youtube.com/user/goodkheyhey

   Zak George - Training Revolution https://www.youtube.com/user/zakgeorge21

   Kikopup - https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup

   How to use your Freedom Harness -  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usJEyq10Mzg

​

Some great articles on topics we often encounter:

Using a retractable leash? Think again!  They are dangerous!
​http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/06/11/retractable-dog-leash.aspx ​


Do you have a multi-species household?  
So often our dogs go to homes with cats and other dogs, and this article is a great source on how to get them all to live peacefully together:    http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_7/features/get-along-in-multi-species-house_20783-1.html

Additional Resources:
Lots of excellent trainers and behaviorists now have tons of articles on every subject on their websites. For ANY issue check out Patricia McConnell or Sophia Yin:
           Patricia McConnell:   http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/reading-room
           Dr. Sophia Yin:   http://drsophiayin.com/resources/dog_behavior 

Not all trainers are created equal. Dog training is not a regulated field in general, so anyone can say they are a dog trainer, charge you money and tell you what to do. Look for trainers who are certified by the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers - http://www.ccpdt.org. Behavior science has come a long way in the past decade, and so you want a cutting edge, positive reinforcement only dog trainer who can assist you in creating the best relationship with your furry friend.  



Thinking about the dog park?
This is a great article about dog park etiquette, and what to look for in dog body language to keep your dog safe. Being social should always be a positive experience, and dog parks can be a sketchy place, even for the most experienced dogs and dog guardians:
http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/dog-park-etiquette-rules
​
Having housetraining issues with your puppy or newly adopted dog?  
Great tips below by Patricia McConnell:  
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Summit Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 17693, Boulder, Colorado 80308 • [email protected]
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Newsletter Signup
  • Adopt
    • Resources for Adopters
    • Adoptable Dogs (and Cats)
    • Adoption Policies
    • Dog Application
    • Kitty Application
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • SDR Approved Trainers
  • SDR Puppy Guide