The professional dog trainers listed with K9 Kindness use only reward based training methods. These methods do not use force, fear or intimidation, nor do K9 Kindness trainers use shock, prong or choke collars. Our reward based dog training methods are safe and effective and promote a human/dog relationship based on trust and cooperation. Please contact the listed trainers for more information about their services.

Kindness Trainers

Barbara Long, CPDT-KA, of Paw In Hand Dog Training, has been committed to humane training for the family companion dogs since 1987. A charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Barbara served on the Board of Directors for six years and in 2004 was named the APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year. Barbara believes that the sooner puppies are exposed to reward based training, the better. She helps owners learn to prevent behavior problems and use training skills so that their dogs can behave anywhere. She holds Puppy Kindergarten through Advanced Family Dog classes at the Paw in Hand Training Studio in northern Chatham County near Cole Park Plaza. Barbara also offers in-home private lessons and behavior problem solving sessions. Contact her at 919 923-5607 and check out www.pawinhanddogtraining.com
Jane Marshall has been a dog trainer in the Chapel Hill/Durham area for over 23 years and also evaluates dogs for temperament and adopt-ability at the Durham shelter. She has a wide knowledge of dog behavior and runs a free helpline for dog owners in the community: Helpline for Dogs: 919-929-9115. Jane is totally committed to reward based dog training for all dogs of all temperaments. Separation anxiety and dog/dog aggression are areas of particular interest to her. Jane’s training services are recommended by local veterinarians and she is also a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Jane currently has two shelter dogs: Pipo, a 5 yr old shepherd mix and Cherie, a 2 yr old pit bull. Check out www.Cheerydogs.com for more info about her classes in Chapel Hill, or call 919-929-9115.
Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, owner of Dog Fun Forever, LLC, offers reward-based training to humans and dogs throughout the Triangle. Sue specializes in puppy training, helping people select and train life long family companions (and sporting dogs too), and to date has trained more than 1000 puppies (including many shelter pups). DFF also offers relationship building, Control Unleashed, rally obedience, agility, tricks, and K9 Nose Work classes. The focus is on fun for the dogs and fun for the handlers! Classes are held inside in a heated/cooled building and outside in a large fenced yard and on two agility fields. Contact Sue at sue@dogfunforever.com, 919-452-3764, www.dogfunforever.com.
Jenn Merritt, CPDT-KA is owner of Blue Dog Creature Coaching and offers force free, family friendly puppy and adult dog training in group classes and private training sessions in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and rural Orange and Alamance Counties.  Jenn is a certified professional dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator, a certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner, and is active in animal assisted therapy, freestyle, and Rally-O.  Classes are held at Extraordinary Ventures (across from Whole Foods) in Chapel Hill.  Contact Jenn at 919-357-5396, jenn@bluedogk9.com, www.bluedogk9.com, and visit The Life of Royal Blog.
Chris O'Connor and Scout Chris O’Connor recently started her own business, In Good Hands, a dog walking and in-home training service. Over the past 16 years, in addition to showing her own dogs, she has participated in countless workshops and seminars focused on competition obedience, agility, behavioral issues, canine nutrition, learning theories, tracking and canine massage. Chris teaches a variety of classes at Paws4Ever in Mebane, NC, and has previously taught puppy classes at the Bon-Clyde Training Center in Sanford, NC. Chris believes that the transition from training to play should be seamless and should be fun for both the dog and the handler. You can contact her at (919) 942-0629, cogoldens@bellsouth.net or visit her website at www.ingoodhandsdogwalking.com
Barbara Shumannfang, PhD, CPDT has been teaching Triangle dogs to be well behaved since 1999 at Top Notch Dog, LLC. Veterinarians and rescue groups recommend her for her effective, gentle approach. She specializes in Training for Life: training that works both for her clients’ busy lives and for every stage of their dog’s life. Barbara is the author of Happy Kids, Happy Dogs: Building a Friendship Right from the Start and is a Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) Evaluator. For free training advice visit www.topnotchdog.com or the Top Notch Dog Blog. Contact Barbara at (919) 493-4560 and barbara@topnotchdog.com.
Reward based trainers Jane Marshall, Samantha Seal and Judy Thorne offer puppy and dog training classes at the Durham Armory through the Durham Parks and Recreation. Click here for more info.

Dog Training for Absolute Beginners is a weekly class held at the Durham County Animal Shelter Saturday mornings 9am-10am.  No advance registration is required, this is a drop in class for absolute beginners and is for humans only so please leave your dog at home. Trainer Sharon Ashe guides participants through basic training exercises and everyone gets a chance to practice the skills with shelter dogs.  The cost for the class is $10 (free for APS adopters and volunteers!) and all money collected goes to the Animal Protection Society of Durham.  Click here for more info.

Paws4Ever (formerly Orange Co. APS) is a private, non-profit animal sanctuary, located in Mebane, NC.   We offer classes for dogs of all ages and skill levels at our comfortable, climate controlled Learning Center.  Our knowledgeable instructors will help you achieve your dog training goals; from family pets to competition success, we are here to help. All classes are reward-based, no punishment or harsh training techniques.   Core classes at Paws4Ever include Puppy Kindergarten, Family Dog 1 & 2, Canine Good Citizen, Tricks, and all levels of agility training.   For class descriptions and to view a schedule of upcoming classes, visit www.paws4ever.org/train.  For more information, contact Julie Jenkins at dogtraining(at)paws4ever(dot)org.
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You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks!

Dogs are never too old to learn with reward based training methods and neither are people. Older dogs are ideal candidates for learning new behaviors and reward based training provides physical and mental stimulation. And it's fun and interactive for humans too. Enroll your older dog in a reward based tricks class or try Rally or Freestyle. There are many dog sports that welcome both canine and human seniors.

Rewarding Training is Perfect for Puppies

Did you know that you can start using reward based training from the moment your bring your puppy home? And, your whole family can participate in your puppy's education. Reward based methods are easy and fun for the puppy and the people. Make sure your dog trainer uses reward based training by asking about their methods and observing a puppy training class before taking your puppy.

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