Stacey M. Manzo
Stacey M. Manzo has always felt a connection to animals and was rewarded with her first rescue dog in 1999. Beau was a two year old Australian Shepherd who needed a job. Stacey took him to what are now known as Manners classes and then started training him in agility. As Beau got older and wasn’t able to play in agility, they began exploring other canine sports, specifically Rally Obedience and Tracking. Beau passed away in early 2011 and a few months later, Stacey adopted Diesel, an 11 month old Aussie who was full of life and the polar opposite of her first dog. Diesel took Stacey's training to a whole different level because of his special needs. He is riddled by stress, fear and anxiety and Stacey set out on a quest to give him the best quality of life he could have.
Diesel is an extremely intelligent dog who needs a lot of mental stimulation to keep his world enriched. He earned his Champion Trick Dog title which spurred Stacey to apply and earn the Certified Trick Dog Instructor for herself. In addition, she is an AKC CGC and S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluator. And after years of experience and learning, Stacey took that knowledge and applied for the CPDT-KA certification which she earned in 2015. That certification is granted through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession.
With Diesel, Stacey has expanded her knowledge of dog behavior, and they added a few new sports to their resume - Nosework, Canine Musical Freestyle and Rally FrEe are Diesel's favorites. They continue to learn by taking regular group classes at various training facilities, training with some of the top world trainers through online courses and attending any workshop or seminar that captures their interest. In 2013, Stacey was privileged to attend a 5 day Chicken Workshop with the world famous Bob Bailey. They spent 5 days training chickens to do a behavior while learning all about the science behind the training. And then on day 5, Stacey reversed what took her 4.5 days to achieve, and trained the chicken in an opposite behavior in 7.5 minutes using all of the tools and knowledge gained during the previous days. It was an incredible experience and the highlight of Stacey's dog training career.
Stacey has a soft spot for fearful and shut down dogs and that has served her well in the rescue world.
In addition to working with her own dog, Stacey volunteers with New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue and has fostered numerous Aussie and Aussie mixes who found themselves in rescue for various reasons. Having a dog live in your home is in a whole other league from working with her own dog or working with other people’s dogs for an hour at a time. Fostering really elevates your learning experience at a rapid pace. Many of the dogs Stacey has fostered were tough cases because of their fear issues - they weren’t good candidates for adoption in the shelters. Those gentle souls have taught her patience and the ability to let the dogs learn at their own pace. Stacey has built up an arsenal of techniques for dealing with all kinds of scenarios which has expanded her way of viewing problems. She can think outside the box and is often very successful doing things that may seem counterintuitive.
Training Philosophy
Stacey's training methods are all about choice. She invites the dogs to interact with her and if they choose not to, she respects their decisions. That lack of pressure allows them to choose to interact with her on their terms, when they are comfortable enough and when they are mentally able to commit to working with her. Working with a dog in that mental state brings about change much faster, the behavior becomes more reliable, the training session more fluid and best of all - it just feels good for everyone.
Services
Stacey offers one-on-one online canine fitness training. This 6 week program includes a customized fitness plan specific to your dog with instructional videos for each exercise. You can submit videos each week for review and work together to ensure your dog is working safely and progressing appropriately.
Certifications
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor
- AKC CGC and S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluator
- CPDT-KA certified dog trainer
Specializations
Stacey specializes in working with dogs with fear and anxiety issues, as well as dogs who need mental stimulation. She also offers training in agility, rally obedience, tracking, nosework, canine musical freestyle, and rally FrEe.
Training Methods
Stacey uses positive reinforcement methods, focusing on rewarding desired behaviors. She believes in building a strong bond with the dog and creating a positive training experience.
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.
