Annamarie Hessman
Annamarie Hessman is the founder and owner of Woofs to Wags, a local, woman-owned Pennsylvania Limited Liability Corporation. She holds post-baccalaureate certificates from Villanova University in Pre-Health Professions Science and Business Administration. She completed Karen Pryor Academy's internationally-respected Dog Trainer Professional Program and Dog Trainer Foundations course, Dog*Tec's Dog Walking Academy, and Denise Mazzola's Canine Behavior and Training Academy. She has volunteered at Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals and Penn Vet's New Bolton Center NICU as part of their foal-sitting program. She has also served New Leash on Life USA as a short-term foster. She shares her home in Rosemont with two very creative dogs who also love clicker training and continuously learns from them.
Training Philosophy
Annamarie's training philosophy is based on good behavioral science and humane standards of care. She believes in developing good behavior through trust, your dog's motivators and clear interspecies communication. She is committed to a compassionate, science-based approach to animal management and training. She is passionate about using humane, minimally-aversive, low-stress, rewards-based methods.
Services
Woofs to Wags offers a variety of services, including:
- Dog Training:
- Initial Consult: $150 for 1.5 hours
- Individual Coaching: $95 per hour
- Day Training: $50 for 30 minutes
- Dog Walking:
- Private Dog Walking: $25/visit
- Pack Walking: $28/dog
- Ad Hoc Walks
- Pet Sitting:
- Regular Visits: $25 and up
- House-sitting
Certifications
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- dog*biz Dog Walking Academy Certified
- Cat and Dog First Aid
- (Human!) Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
Specializations
Puppy issues, including how to prepare your home, housebreaking, crate training and socialization. Experienced with fearful, anxious and reactive dogs. Provides recommendations and support on behavioral issues that arise with other species (e.g. out-of-the-box elimination in felines).
Training Methods
Rewards-based training, force-free training, positive reinforcement, low-stress handling, clicker training
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
