Shannon Dunhoft, CPDT-KA
Owner/Trainer
HI, guys! I'm Shannon. These things are usually written in third person (and this one actually was up until just now), but that just didn't sound like me, so here you go!
I have been around dogs my whole life. My grandpa raised hunting dogs and I can't remember NOT having a dog in my yard. My earliest ambition was to be a veterinarian, but upon realizing the heartbreaking aspects of the job, I knew that wasn't for me. Instead, I went into teaching, and I have been a high school English teacher for twenty years. Although dogs and kids are NOT the same thing, I do find that a lot of the same theories and principles overlap, and I try to bring some of my teaching and presenting skills into my training classes with stories, demos and examples that everyone can connect to.
Although I clearly did not end up working in my original field, my love for animals did not diminish. As an adult, I found myself volunteering with local animal rescues (leading me to both Gracie AND Garmin). Although that was fulfilling work, I decided I could better reach more people through training. I had seen what strong, positive training could do for Gracie, and I wanted to help others achieve the same success. Why? Because training and behavior issues were the number one reason we saw animals surrendered to the rescue.
I was trained by Mike Dixon of Tri-State Canine Obedience. I obtained my dog training certification through his program in December of 2012 and began training for a local trainer shortly after where I taught basic, advanced and therapy dog classes. After two years, I decided it was time to branch out on her own and Loyal Loved Rescued Canine Obedience was born.
Although I really specialize in helping dogs and owners find their connection and relationship through training, I also have experience with behaviors such as resource guarding, crate anxiety, separation anxiety, leash re-activity, and touch sensitivity. When given the choice of tough behaviors to work on, I will choose leash reactivity any day of the week. Garmin is highly leash reactive and I know how hard it can be and I love helping owners and dogs work together to overcome that struggle.
I am an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I attended Karen Pryor's Clicker Expo in 2016 and I am a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed). This certification was years in the making and also requires me to do continuing education to keep my certification active since dog training is an ever changing, ever evolving field. I will be pursuing my Fear Free Certification.
My training philosophy follows LIMA guidelines (least intrusive, minimally aversive) and takes a fear and force free approach. I use primarily positive reinforcement in all of my training and I will NEVER tell you to scare or startle or dog or ask you do do anything that will cause your dog pain or discomfort in the name of training. Instead, we will work on showing the dog what we want, reinforcing it and watching the dog offer it again and again!
I share my home with two dogs: Gracie and Garmin.
Gracie is my ten year old husky mix. She is a retired therapy dog and holds her CGCA as well as her Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick dog titles. Although she is slowing down in her older years, she still loves a good walk, a fun training session and ALL food (except veggies.).
Garmin is my nearly eight year old husky/cattle dog mix. He has his CGC and his Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick titles as well. Garmin is a difficult dog who challenges me every single day, but he has taught me so much and has made me a better trainer and more equipped to assist others dealing with dogs like him. He LOVES swimming, is a training superstar and will do anything for string cheese (even look at other dogs and NOT bark on walks)
I really believe that training is a partnership between owner and dog. And it has to be mutually beneficial. Each of you has to get something out of the relationship. And that is what I am here for--to help you make the most of the time you have together.
I can't wait to meet you!
I have been around dogs my whole life. My grandpa raised hunting dogs and I can't remember NOT having a dog in my yard. My earliest ambition was to be a veterinarian, but upon realizing the heartbreaking aspects of the job, I knew that wasn't for me. Instead, I went into teaching, and I have been a high school English teacher for twenty years. Although dogs and kids are NOT the same thing, I do find that a lot of the same theories and principles overlap, and I try to bring some of my teaching and presenting skills into my training classes with stories, demos and examples that everyone can connect to.
Although I clearly did not end up working in my original field, my love for animals did not diminish. As an adult, I found myself volunteering with local animal rescues (leading me to both Gracie AND Garmin). Although that was fulfilling work, I decided I could better reach more people through training. I had seen what strong, positive training could do for Gracie, and I wanted to help others achieve the same success. Why? Because training and behavior issues were the number one reason we saw animals surrendered to the rescue.
I was trained by Mike Dixon of Tri-State Canine Obedience. I obtained my dog training certification through his program in December of 2012 and began training for a local trainer shortly after where I taught basic, advanced and therapy dog classes. After two years, I decided it was time to branch out on her own and Loyal Loved Rescued Canine Obedience was born.
Although I really specialize in helping dogs and owners find their connection and relationship through training, I also have experience with behaviors such as resource guarding, crate anxiety, separation anxiety, leash re-activity, and touch sensitivity. When given the choice of tough behaviors to work on, I will choose leash reactivity any day of the week. Garmin is highly leash reactive and I know how hard it can be and I love helping owners and dogs work together to overcome that struggle.
I am an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I attended Karen Pryor's Clicker Expo in 2016 and I am a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed). This certification was years in the making and also requires me to do continuing education to keep my certification active since dog training is an ever changing, ever evolving field. I will be pursuing my Fear Free Certification.
My training philosophy follows LIMA guidelines (least intrusive, minimally aversive) and takes a fear and force free approach. I use primarily positive reinforcement in all of my training and I will NEVER tell you to scare or startle or dog or ask you do do anything that will cause your dog pain or discomfort in the name of training. Instead, we will work on showing the dog what we want, reinforcing it and watching the dog offer it again and again!
I share my home with two dogs: Gracie and Garmin.
Gracie is my ten year old husky mix. She is a retired therapy dog and holds her CGCA as well as her Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick dog titles. Although she is slowing down in her older years, she still loves a good walk, a fun training session and ALL food (except veggies.).
Garmin is my nearly eight year old husky/cattle dog mix. He has his CGC and his Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick titles as well. Garmin is a difficult dog who challenges me every single day, but he has taught me so much and has made me a better trainer and more equipped to assist others dealing with dogs like him. He LOVES swimming, is a training superstar and will do anything for string cheese (even look at other dogs and NOT bark on walks)
I really believe that training is a partnership between owner and dog. And it has to be mutually beneficial. Each of you has to get something out of the relationship. And that is what I am here for--to help you make the most of the time you have together.
I can't wait to meet you!
