ABOUT JACK
I have always had a love for dogs. When my family first got our dog, I was six years old, and at first was afraid to go near Daisy. But I quickly warmed up to her. Once I was living on my own, I adopted Murphy (shepherd-pit mix) from a local shelter. We shared our home for almost 12 years. And now I have Mona, a boxer-lab mix who is pictured below.
In 2001, I began volunteering at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, assisting with the kennel managers. It was the work at Fidelco that convinced me I should start planning for a future career working with dogs. In 2013, I enrolled in the Professional Trainer Course at Connecticut K9 Education Center. It's a comprehensive 350 hour course, that covers dog psychology, various training methods, and extensive hands-on training with dogs of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. I also taught public group classes for Basic Training and Puppy Training as part of the Professional Trainer Course.
I am also a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and certified in Pet CPR and First Aid through PetTech.
My education continues through books, articles, television/DVDs, and hands-on experience. Each dog is unique, and has his/her own preference for learning. And as you have likely heard before, dog training is more about training the owner than the dog. After a few hours with me, your dog will not be perfectly trained or fixed... but you will have the information you need to continue training your dog. Your dog may need refresher training after time. Just like humans, if a dog doesn't perform a command for several weeks or months, he/she will become rusty. You will be prepared to perform the re-training necessary to keep your dog on his/her best behavior.
- Jack Cunniff