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My name is Stephanie, and I am a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner with 14 years of experience working in the veterinary field. I have a bachelor's degree in Animal Biology from the University of California, Davis, accreditations in low-stress handling, Fear Free, and more. I love to learn and go to training, veterinary, and behavior conferences to stay up to date on the most current information on training methods, anxiety, and aggression. I specialize in helping pets with anxiety and aggression during vet visits, and I love teaching owners how to help their pets gain confidence in previously frightening environments.

We offer group and private lessons for all ages & breeds. You'll participate in socialization, fun and education. We DO NOT offer punishment-based training including the use of e-collars. Groups classes coach you and your dog on how to work as a team. Topics include Puppy Manners, Adult Manners, Agility, Rally, Tricks, Rally FunGility, AKC FIT DOG, Scentwork, Fetch! and Therapy Dog. Can't attend a regularly scheduled group class? Is your pup too shy or lively to work around other dogs? Private lessons can be scheduled either at our facility or your home. Lessons available for both Puppies and Adult dogs.

We may get nostalgic for the ‘old days’, but when it comes to dog training we’re sure glad that some things have changed. Our understanding of animal behavior has grown a lot over the years, transforming the way we think about dog training. Shake It Off approaches training with a modern, choice-driven, compassionate methodology that is grounded in the science of behavior. It’s no trick —we owe our success to positive-reinforcement and rewards-based techniques that are free from pain, force and intimidation. It is so effective, you can use it to train almost any animal —humans included. It’s not magic, but we can understand why some of our clients think so.

Jodi Cassell, CBCC-KA, CTC, FFCP Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) and Dog Trainer (CTC). Positive Reinforcement, force free practioner (Fear Free Certified). I specialize in working with dogs with behavior issues, like fear, aggression, and anxiety, but I'm happy to work with any dog. Currently I offer private in-home and in person training as well as remote online training. My goal is to help you and your dog live a happier life together. My training methods are fun and effective and I enjoy working with both dogs and people!

Dogs In Harmony specializes in early puppy development and training. In Harmony School puppies under the age of 4 months develop solid foundations for a lifetime of learning. In this day school, we fully utilize the critical socialization stage to positively introduce sounds, objects, textures, handling and teach appropriate social behavior.

Ariel has been working with animals since she was a child, and has been professionally training dogs for 5 years. She joined the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) in 2017. She is one of the less than 10 trainers in the US to earn the prestigious title of Professional Canine Trainer (PCT-A) from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. Service dog training is what she is truly passionate about, but she also offers basic training, trick training, and therapy dog training! Ariel has also served in the military (USAF) and volunteered with local fire and EMS departments. She now has her Golden Retriever, Padme, working as a service dog to assist her day to day.

Owner/Trainer Shane Stanis, CDBC, CPDT-KSA has been training dogs professionally for over 20 years. As an IAABC certified dog behavior consultant, I work primarily with families struggling with aggression, reactivity, phobias, compulsive behaviors, and my specialty - fear & anxiety. I work with clients in person in Central Contra Costa county, and virtually nationwide (and occasionally internationally). I also run an online group training program for shy and fearful dogs, Confidence Builders Academy.

Polite Pooches offers group classes and private training sessions utilizing positive reinforcement, force free methods only. We offer puppy classes through advanced manners. All private sessions & group classes are held at our safe, quiet, clean training center in Forest Hill, MD. All of our trainers have achieved at least their CPDT-KA certification. We teach using humane methods, and go at a pace each dog is comfortable with.