Meet Bethany
I am passionate about helping families communicate with their dog more clearly using science-based learning theory. My job is to help you implement solutions that bring harmony to your home, while also aligning with your ethics. I have a Bachelors of Science in Animal Sciences from Washington State University, and am certified through the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior as a Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP).
On my path to dog training I gained experience at a zoo, humane society, veterinary clinic, groomers, and managed a large dog boarding & daycare facility. In my six years managing off-leash playgroups, I developed a solid practical foundation of understanding dog body language and social behaviors.
Methodology
Unfortunately dog training is an unregulated profession, anyone can claim they are a dog trainer. So it is of the utmost importance that you become an educated consumer of dog training services. Transparency in techniques, and how your dog is treated matters, for their physical and behavioral well-being.
Some of the methods we use may include: capturing, shaping, respondent conditioning, operant conditioning, counter conditioning & desensitization. We will use management solutions to prevent undesirable behaviors from occurring while we replace them with something more constructive. With a knowledge of learning theory and modern humane techniques, we can successfully modify your dog's behavior without having to use harsh techniques. No breed needs a heavy hand. I can teach you gentler methods with reliable results.
We’re proud that our approach also meets the professional recommendations of The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), & The International Association of Applied Animal Behavior. Thrive Canine Behavior is licensed, bonded & insured.
Three Questions to Ask a Dog Trainer Before You Hire Them
"Trainers who choose to use positive reinforcement based training uniformly mention continuing education. In response to the third question, many will say that there are probably not any less invasive methods than what they use, but if they are out there, they want to know about them. They state that they are always educating themselves and learning more. Some mention that if they feel that a case is beyond their skill set, they will consult colleagues or even refer the case on, just as a family doctor might refer a patient to a specialist if she had a certain type of medical problem. This kind of honest self-assessment is a strong indicator of competency in my opinion. The truly skilled know their skills and are honest about both their breadth and limitations.
You will also hear almost all of them state that if a dog makes a “mistake” when working on a training task, it is their mistake, not the dog’s. This is not some romantic woo. It is the literal truth. It is up to the teacher to set the pace and difficulty of the learning for the student."