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MEET THE TRAINER: Abbey Johnson CPDT-KA, FDM

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Understanding animals and their behavior has always been a passion of mine. I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and various other types of animals throughout my childhood onwards. The more time I spend with animals, the more I realize the disconnected communication we often tend to have with them. Animals, and dogs especially, are always talking to us. It’s our job to stop, listen, and kindly teach them about our human world!

 

I have an extensive background working with shelter and rescue dogs. Stemming from this comes my special love for small breed dogs, and although I work with all dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people reach their full potential with their small breed dogs, who can often be overlooked and misunderstood. I strive to make my two rescued small breed dogs, Phoebe and Pocket, an example to the fact that small dogs are just as trainable and just as deserving of a fulfilled life as any other dog! We spend most of our days learning tricks, practicing nosework, adventuring out in nature, or curled up watching movies on the couch.

I graduated in 2018 with my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Auburn University, and continued on to work for over 5 years in animal sheltering/rescue, where I generated a lot of experience handling various dogs with different degrees of behavioral needs. From there, I pursued my passion for training by becoming a multi-certified professional dog trainer, and haven’t looked back! I strive to be approachable, accessible, and non-judgemental when working with clients. My goal is always “progress over perfection,” and I will never try to hold you to unrealistic or unhelpful standards when working together. We do better when we know better, and all of us always have something new to learn in life!

FORMAL EDUCATION
 

  • Auburn University

    • Bachelor’s in Psychology (2018)

    • Undergraduate Research Assistant (2017)

 

TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS
 

  • Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers

    • CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, 2021)

  • L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation 

    • FDM (Family Dog Mediator, 2022)

  • American Kennel Club S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, and Home Manners Evaluator​
     

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
 

  • Volunteer/Shelter Work

    • Lee County Humane Society (2015-2016)

    • Animal SOS (2017-2018)

    • Paws Humane Society (2017-2018)

    • Columbus Animal Care and Control Center (2017-2018)

    • Employed at the Atlanta Humane Society (2018-2021)

  • Internships/Apprenticeships

    • Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch (2016)

    • Pawsitive Futures Training and Behavior (2021)


​CONTINUING EDUCATION
 

  • Fear-Free Pets

    • Fear-Free Shelter Graduate (2020)

  • IAABC Foundation

    • Defensive Handling With Aggressive Dogs Course (2020)

    • Understanding Evidence-Based Dog Training Course (2020)

  • The Loose Leash Academy 

    • Aggression in Dogs Virtual Conference (2020)

  • Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

    • The Lemonade Virtual Conference (2021, 2022)

  • Michael Shikashio- Aggression In Dogs

    • 3 Day Workshop (2022)

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​AS SEEN ON
 

 

 

 

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