Susan Signor
Susan has a passionate interest in dog behavior that began at age 14 when she read “The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior” by Clarence Pfaffenberger. As a youngster she was a member of the first 4-H Dog Project club in the state of Washington and won the state 4-H competition, earning a trip to the National 4-H Congress held in Chicago. Quite a big deal for a teenager!
Personal dog experience began at age 10 when her family acquired a Border Collie-German Shepherd mix female puppy. As a teenager she added a Standard Poodle, then German Shepherds. As a young adult she acquired a Doberman Pinscher, and later a Bouvier des Flandres. The Bouviers became a favorite. Susan raised and showed Bouviers for 30 years, produced many champions and served as Rescue Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest area. For a few years she also raised and showed Border Terriers. She now owns four Bouviers and one Berger Picard. Susan has extensive knowledge and experience with breeding and rearing puppies.
After a successful career of over 30 years with the Federal Government, Internal Revenue Service, in 2004 Susan decided that her second career would focus on dog behavior. She then began the process of expanding her knowledge and skills to provide quality dog behavior consulting services. Susan soon realized that in addition to learning more about behavior, she needed to learn better ways of teaching both the human and canine ends of the leash. Since 2004 she has spent many hundreds of hours and many thousands of dollars to bring her knowledge and level of expertise up to snuff.
Training Philosophy
Susan tackles teaching and behavior challenges using positive reinforcement, thoughtful management and a caring attitude. Human students routinely report that they love the teaching process and look forward to attending sessions with Susan. You will enjoy learning with Susan!
Services
Private training and behavior consulting services including but not limited to:
- Foundation skills private lessons for dogs of all ages; teaches skills needed by the human and the dog.
- Behavioral Problems offers help for behavior problems such as aggression, biting, fears, house-soiling, separation distress, and barking. Each dog and human team are treated as individuals with services tailored to your specific needs. Service provided at your home or my facility.
- Service dog training – private sessions at your home or my facility – to teach skills needed to meet both public access and task training needs. Help to refresh dog and human skills that need polishing.
Certifications
- ACDBC
Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - CPDT-KSA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills Assessed
Through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) - CBCC-KA
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed – Through the CCPDT - KPA-CTP
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Specializations
- Puppy Training
- Service Dog Training
- Behavior Problems
Training Methods
- Positive reinforcement
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.
