Erin Maloney
Erin is a local Cantonian and graduate of Glenoak High School. Her interest in animal behavior started while earning her bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Ohio University. She has her Certificate in Training and Counseling from the esteemed Academy for Dog Trainers, an intensive two-year dog training program that focuses on healthy dog development with an emphasis on behavior modification for dogs experiencing fear and aggression. The Academy teaches humane, evidence-based training methods using food and play rewards to help dogs learn. She has experience working in group training classes, private training, boarding and day care.
Erin adopted Sadie as a young adult stray who was very high-energy. As she settled in she started showing intense reactivity and dog-selectiveness. Learning how to handle her challenging and aggressive behaviors led Erin on her journey to helping fearful and aggressive dogs.
Strider came to Erin as an under-socialized puppy. As a result, he had a huge fear of people, including Erin's husband for the first few months. Thanks to Erin's understanding of animal behavior, he has overcome his fear of people and now happily greets every visitor at their door. Because of him, Erin loves helping fearful dogs and is passionate about ensuring puppies are prepared for life. She’s seen the result of under-socialization and knows how much work it takes to make up for that lost time.
Training Philosophy
Erin's training philosophy is based on positive reinforcement and evidence-based methods. She uses force-free, reward-based techniques to help dogs learn and build a positive relationship with their owners. She believes in making training fun for both dogs and humans.
Services
Erin offers a variety of services, including:
- Private in-home training
- Virtual training via Zoom
- Puppy training
- Fear and aggression training
- Barking and lunging on leash training
- Aggression towards humans training
- Vet and grooming aggression training
- Dog-dog aggression training
- Online courses
- Professional workshops for dog professionals
Certifications
Erin is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She also has a Certificate in Training and Counseling from the Academy for Dog Trainers.
Specializations
Erin specializes in working with fearful and aggressive dogs. She also has experience training puppies and dogs with reactivity issues.
Training Methods
Erin uses reward-based, positive reinforcement training methods. She primarily uses food in training, but will use toys and environmental reinforcers for certain training exercises if appropriate for that dog. She does not use any "training collars" or techniques that utilize pain, fear or coercion to control dogs.
Customer Reviews
Great experience with Erin! Patient and kind and trustworthy. Knowledgeable trainer who could work with our crazy schedule and high energy labradoodle. Highly recommend!
Erin's approach to dog training is so logical and easy to follow. She helped us so much with our bundle of energy, and helped us set up our girl for success. She's so knowledgeable about dogs!
Erin is very friendly and caring! She answers any questions I may have. She is very knowledgeable and gives different alternatives to help make a perfect fit to get your desired training outcome. She responds in a timely manner and is the first person I think to contact when I need help with my dog.
Erin is so kind and generous and treats my pups like her own babies when working with them. I have a puppy who had issues with body handling and resource guarding. She has worked with us--in our own home--and I've seen drastic changes in just a handful of sessions... She'll even come to your house and work with your pup while you're at work, if needed! She's just fantastic. I've already recommended her to friends and will keep her information handy for anyone in the future who needs tender loving care for their fur babies..
I needed some help with my fearful and reactive dog and working with Erin was such a great experience. She taught me how to expose my dog to his triggers in a controlled setting and keep him under threshold as he learned. She was so supportive and tailored our training to exactly what we needed. This is not a one-size-fits-all program! I am so thrilled with the progress that we've made and highly recommend Erin and Raising Pawtential!
We’ve seen a huge difference in our two dogs that struggle with fear and anxiety since we started working with Erin. She is very receptive to how they’re feeling and makes sure that each session feels comfortable and safe for them. I wish we would’ve found her sooner!
Lindsay & kyle F. + bowie & Charlie
Magical!! Finn had issues with being groomed, bathing and resource guarding. Erin knew exactly how to approach each issue and shape the desired outcome. If you're having issues with your dog or puppy, save time and money and start with Erin!!!
Everyone is always asking how we trained Eggsy so well. I say we didn't, Erin did! He used to be afraid of dogs and people. We now walk him completely off leash in the neighborhood, on trails and at the brewery.
As a new dog owner, Erin was absolutely amazing at answering all of my questions and reassuring me of appropriate next steps. She helped recommend best practices for higher overall success rate. I’m sure I will have more questions in the future, and she is definitely a go-to for a knowledgeable, positive, professional trainer.
We absolutely could not recommend Erin enough! She is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and shows a true love and compassion for dogs. Each appointment Erin is prepared and utilizes our scheduled time to the fullest and is very detailed in her “after session” notes. My husband and I appreciate that we are able to follow up with Erin in between sessions whenever a question arises. We have truly seen great progress in our puppy, as well as, progress in our understanding and knowledge as dog owners, since we have started our experience with Erin.
Media Appearances
Erin has been featured on the Wild At Heart Podcast, discussing aggression and fear in dogs.
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.
