| Pawsitive Results Professional Dog Training & Behavior Services Beaver Falls, PA ~ (724) 847-0577 |
Rachel Michak, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
Experience...
My training journey began in 2000 with my own dogs, including one especially challenging greyhound, Fletch. While studying Animal Science
at the University of Vermont, I was a very active volunteer at the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC). I interned with other
professional trainers to learn as much as I could about canine behavior, including a year-long internship under the canine behavior counselor
at HSCC. I gained extensive experience in the field of behavior assessment and temperament testing, clicker training, and dog-dog
communication. My internship led to a full-time position as an Animal Care Technician and my responsibilities including match-making
between shelter animals and adopters, animal intakes, and caring for the day to day needs of the shelters' 100+ dog and cat residents. It was
truly an eye-opening experience, especially the number of dogs surrendered because of behavior problems.
I started Pawsitive Results Dog Training in 2006 and am very proud to say that numerous Beaver County veterinarians refer their clients to me
for training and behavior services. For a couple years, I taught classes at Ellwood Animal Hospital and am now very excited to be offering
classes at The Animal Wellness Centre. I'm a volunteer dog walker at the Columbiana
County Dog Pound in Lisbon, Ohio.
Qualifications...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the Certification
Council for Professional Dog Trainers,one of only a handful of local trainers to have
earned this certification. This certification required passing a 250-question exam, a minimum
of 500 hours experience as Head Instructor, and references from a veterinarian, colleague, and
client.
American Kennel Club Approved Evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen Test.
This certification also allows me to offer S.T.A.R. Puppy testing.
Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in good standing since 2006. As a member
of this organization, I adhere to the ethics set forth in the APDT Code of Professional Conduct and
Responsibility.
Pet CPR & First Aid Certified through PetTech.
An understanding and passion for dogs...
Dogs are my whole life and I am constantly challenging myself to learn new techniques, examine
new training ideas, and seek new ways of understanding dogs. I network online with trainers from
around the country to share and debate training ideas, subscribe to several training journals, and
attend telecourses and live seminars.
In addition to my professional training, I have personally owned a number of behaviorally challenging
dogs and this experience has given me a unique perspective into just how hard it can be to live with,
manage, and train problem dogs. There is nothing simple or easy about owing a dog with a serious
behavior problem such as aggression - and working with a trainer who actually lives day to day with
those challenges and sincerely understands can make a huge difference. All the training techniques
I give my clients have used been on my own personal dogs
My Dogs...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
Experience...
My training journey began in 2000 with my own dogs, including one especially challenging greyhound, Fletch. While studying Animal Science
at the University of Vermont, I was a very active volunteer at the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC). I interned with other
professional trainers to learn as much as I could about canine behavior, including a year-long internship under the canine behavior counselor
at HSCC. I gained extensive experience in the field of behavior assessment and temperament testing, clicker training, and dog-dog
communication. My internship led to a full-time position as an Animal Care Technician and my responsibilities including match-making
between shelter animals and adopters, animal intakes, and caring for the day to day needs of the shelters' 100+ dog and cat residents. It was
truly an eye-opening experience, especially the number of dogs surrendered because of behavior problems.
I started Pawsitive Results Dog Training in 2006 and am very proud to say that numerous Beaver County veterinarians refer their clients to me
for training and behavior services. For a couple years, I taught classes at Ellwood Animal Hospital and am now very excited to be offering
classes at The Animal Wellness Centre. I'm a volunteer dog walker at the Columbiana
County Dog Pound in Lisbon, Ohio.
Qualifications...
Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) through the Certification
Council for Professional Dog Trainers,one of only a handful of local trainers to have
earned this certification. This certification required passing a 250-question exam, a minimum
of 500 hours experience as Head Instructor, and references from a veterinarian, colleague, and
client.
American Kennel Club Approved Evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen Test.
This certification also allows me to offer S.T.A.R. Puppy testing.
Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in good standing since 2006. As a member
of this organization, I adhere to the ethics set forth in the APDT Code of Professional Conduct and
Responsibility.
Pet CPR & First Aid Certified through PetTech.
An understanding and passion for dogs...
Dogs are my whole life and I am constantly challenging myself to learn new techniques, examine
new training ideas, and seek new ways of understanding dogs. I network online with trainers from
around the country to share and debate training ideas, subscribe to several training journals, and
attend telecourses and live seminars.
In addition to my professional training, I have personally owned a number of behaviorally challenging
dogs and this experience has given me a unique perspective into just how hard it can be to live with,
manage, and train problem dogs. There is nothing simple or easy about owing a dog with a serious
behavior problem such as aggression - and working with a trainer who actually lives day to day with
those challenges and sincerely understands can make a huge difference. All the training techniques
I give my clients have used been on my own personal dogs
My Dogs...
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Zoe is my Alaskan Malamute/Siberian Husky mix. I adopted her from the Humane Society of
Chittenden County in South Burlington, Vermont in 2005 where she ended up after being found
as a stray. Zoe has the perfect combination of beauty and brains. Her hobbies include hiking,
carrying around her favorite rawhide chewy, and swimming.
Zoe's behavior issues have taught me extensively about managing challenging dogs. She is
fearful of strangers (and pretty much everyone in the world but me is a stranger to her) and
doesn't particularly like unfamiliar dogs in her personal space. Zoe is a lucky girl; her behavioral
challenges made her virtually unadoptable but with me she has a fantastic life. After years of
clicker training and behavior modification, she has made unbelievable progress in her behavior
and is mellowing into one of the best dogs ever.
Chittenden County in South Burlington, Vermont in 2005 where she ended up after being found
as a stray. Zoe has the perfect combination of beauty and brains. Her hobbies include hiking,
carrying around her favorite rawhide chewy, and swimming.
Zoe's behavior issues have taught me extensively about managing challenging dogs. She is
fearful of strangers (and pretty much everyone in the world but me is a stranger to her) and
doesn't particularly like unfamiliar dogs in her personal space. Zoe is a lucky girl; her behavioral
challenges made her virtually unadoptable but with me she has a fantastic life. After years of
clicker training and behavior modification, she has made unbelievable progress in her behavior
and is mellowing into one of the best dogs ever.
Giles is my retired racing Greyhound. He raced in Florida and was adopted by a family who
returned him to the rescue for not being housetrained. After being in a couple foster homes, I
adopted him from Greyhound Rescue of Vermont in 2004.
He's my official people greeter at training classes and is also my assistant on dog-dog aggression
cases. He can be rather "deer in headlights" at times but he makes up for it ten times over with his
sweetness. Nothing makes him happier than a good butt rub, a walk in the woods, or a car ride.
returned him to the rescue for not being housetrained. After being in a couple foster homes, I
adopted him from Greyhound Rescue of Vermont in 2004.
He's my official people greeter at training classes and is also my assistant on dog-dog aggression
cases. He can be rather "deer in headlights" at times but he makes up for it ten times over with his
sweetness. Nothing makes him happier than a good butt rub, a walk in the woods, or a car ride.
| In Memory of: |
| Lakotah July 2008-October 23, 2008 I adopted Lakotah, a 12 week old Husky/Shepherd mix, from a pound in Ohio. I had big plans in store for this sweetheart but sadly by the time the pound allowed him to go home, he was extremely emaciated and he died of pneumonia just one week later. He had the biggest personality for such a little guy! |
| Bluebell December 25, 1997-January 19, 2005 Bluebell was a once-in-a-lifetime dog. She was adopted from a greyhound rescue in 2000. Bluebell was the most people-social dog I have ever met. Men, women, kids...she loved them all. She knew dozens of tricks and was trained in basic agility. Despite having a case of separation anxiety, Bluebell was a phenomenal dog. |
| Fletch December 23, 1997-January 22, 2004 The one who started it all. Fletch was adopted from a greyhound rescue in 2001 and it was clear he had suffered horrible neglect. He was a sweet soul but his aggression issues were complex and overwhelming. I am deeply thankful to Fletch for the lessons he taught me. He is sadly missed. |
Zippy is my Hound mix (possibly a Mountain Cur/Coonhound mix). I adopted Zippy when he
was 11 weeks old from From Heaven to Earth Rescue in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Zippy loves
to hike in the woods, splash in the creek, and play with other dogs. He's wicked smart,
intense, and even a bit devious. He is self-employed as the "squirrel patrol" and along with
Giles, patrols the yard for squirrels and rabbits.
As off-the-scale cute as he is, Zippy's tough hound personality and behavior issues would
make him extremely challenging in an average home. He's lucky to have ended up with a
professional dog trainer and with me he's living the good life! We're starting basic agility
training and Zippy absolutely loves soaring over hurdles.
was 11 weeks old from From Heaven to Earth Rescue in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Zippy loves
to hike in the woods, splash in the creek, and play with other dogs. He's wicked smart,
intense, and even a bit devious. He is self-employed as the "squirrel patrol" and along with
Giles, patrols the yard for squirrels and rabbits.
As off-the-scale cute as he is, Zippy's tough hound personality and behavior issues would
make him extremely challenging in an average home. He's lucky to have ended up with a
professional dog trainer and with me he's living the good life! We're starting basic agility
training and Zippy absolutely loves soaring over hurdles.
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