Shirley with the always faithful Mocha, Chesapeake Bay Retriever at age 4, who is waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge.
"Angels only get to visit us on earth for a little while, but the time they give us is so precious". Me
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General Info about me- There has not been a time in my life that I can remember when we have not had at least one dog in our family. Although potty training and general manners were always done at home without taking a training class, I can remember as a kid teaching my parents' poodle to sit pretty, dance (while wearing a doll dress), and walk on her hind legs throughout the house, My first experience with formal dog training came about the time of 12 years of age. We had taken in a Collie with a running problem. What else would be every girls dream dog but a female Collie whom immediately got named "LASSIE". Although we did not do a formal class, I was able to teach Lassie to come, sit, stay and heel with the help of an encouraging neighbor with three exceptionally trained German Shepherds. Lassie and I jogged the school track and played off leash in the school fields all through her 15 years. The really astonishing thing looking back was not these commands we had both learned, but that we had accomplished getting her beyond her fears from years of prior abuse. I now know some of the fears she came to me with were really scary. But, being naive as a child led to my lack of fear in handling Lassie and the lack of knowledge regarding the damage that could have been done was a blessing in disguise. My first official obedience class came in the late 1980's, after Lassie passed on. I got a new puppy and took my first obedience class. That new puppy, "Skippy" is the reason I am a trainer today. She was a cute and energetic Australian Cattle Dog/ Corgi mix, who at 10 weeks of age had spent at least 3 to 4 weeks in the Los Angeles Pound. We lived in a apartment and early on she developed Separation Anxiety. This was what sent us to a local trainer. After private classes, group classes, and socialization classes I am happy to say she was a great companion for 15 1/2 years. Since then I have been specializing in pet companion obedience for nearly 18 years. |
as well as a number of other silly things kids love to do with their pets.
This unique approach included a system that was developed through years of research and personal experience. I have been blessed with a gift for connecting with animals. They respond almost immediately. I will teach you what you need to know to do the same for your animal. I will also make sure you have a chance to apply what you are learning throughout the process.
Good Communication skills both orally and physically, good organizational and class structure skills and the ability to speak in front of large groups and change layout as needed for client understanding is a critical part of this process.
I also enjoy archery, crafts, knitting, sewing, camping, and the beach. But dogs will always be my passion.
Appearances and Articles
- Good Day Oregon 1999
- News Segment "Halloween and Your Dog" 2000
- Numerous stage and lecture appearances at Home and Garden shows, American Family Pet Show in Pomona, CA. and Los Angeles County Fair Grounds.
- Public lectures at local Church and Community events, including Dog Safety, Search and Rescue, Dog Training and Problem Solving.
Continuing Education and Conferences
Shirley has developed several programs, each designed to achieve specific results. Her approach is not one size fits all. Some of our programs include: Experience
2003 to Present Owner of Faithful Hearts Dog Training
5/2003 tru 5/2004 Vancouver, Wa.,
5/2004 relocated to Canoga Park, CA.,
6/2009 relocated to Scottsbluff, NE.,
11/2010 relocated to Santa Clara, NM.
1996 to 2003 Petsmart Trainer Vancouver, Wa.
Companion Obedience Instructor.
1998 to 2000 Member of Pacific Trails K-9 Search and Rescue. Position: Puppy Obedience Evaluator
1993-1996 Trained friends' dogs as well as my own while working as a bookkeeper, I then got married and settled down with my new family.
1990 to 1993 Singleton's Animal Connection. Office manager, and Trainer. Assisted in creating Animal Trainers Institute Schooling course.
