About

Marge breaks complex training into manageable pieces for both ends of the leash. She understands that training dogs requires mechanical skills, like observation and timing (regardless of what training method you use). What makes her program different from many others is that she develops skills in both her canine and human learners. Marge empowers her owners with the knowledge to solve problems and set their dogs up for success.

Play is a big part of Marge’s training. If you only ever practice obedience when your dog is calm and on a leash, you’re only teaching him to respond in those situations. But what happens when he sees a squirrel and gets excited? Or his favorite person walks through the door?  Exactly – if you want your dog to respond to cues when he is aroused, you have to practice when he is aroused.  Play is a great way to tease up your dog’s nervous system (heart rate, respiration, adrenaline). And, who doesn’t want to have “play with your dog” as part of their training practice? But playing alone is not enough. You have to know how to do it with structure and set your dog up for success.  Don’t worry – Marge will show you how.

Qualification & Credentials
In an unregulated industry, it’s hard to tell what you’re getting when you hire a dog trainer. And, that’s a lot of alphabet soup behind Marge’s name. Let’s see if we can simplify it.

• CBCC-KA  Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed 
  Marge is certified behavior consultant through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. That is the *only* independently administered, statistically validated testing for dog training professionals in the US. In an unregulated industry, sitting for the exam is voluntary. Certificants must demonstrate knowledge in applied behavior analysis, ethology, body language, consulting skills and best practices, life stages, anatomy and physiology.  Marge has to attend continuing education programs regularly to keep her certification.
• CPDT-KA  Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
  This certification is also through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. 
• Fear Free Certified Professional
• Certified Control Unleashed Instructor
• Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator
• Approved by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board & The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers as a Continuing Education Provider for the program “Carrots and Sticks – The Science Behind Changing Behavior”
• Former Mentor Trainer for CATCH Canine Training Academy
• Assisted Leslie McDevitt with international trainer mentorships through IAABC
• Charter member of the Pet Professional Guild, the association for Force Free professionals.