Carla Dusel, CPDT-KA
Growing up and sharing my life with animals, I always knew my career path would involve them. As a child, my imaginary friends were dogs and make-believe always included pretending to find a lost puppy. As I grew, I enjoyed hiking and camping with my dad and the family dogs. While on these adventures, I spent time seeking out and observing the snakes, frogs, birds, and other wildlife with growing curiosity and awe. Slowly, I became completely enthralled with animal behavior.
Years of exploring the world with my dogs through hiking, camping, and kayaking have influenced how I work with clients to meet their dog’s needs and approach dog training. It’s clear to me how much joy and relaxation can be found by spending time being enriched by the world that exists around us. In my approach to training I prioritize the emotional and physical needs of dogs, researching and understanding the latest science related to learning, and the use of reward-based methods of training. I do not use, or advocate for the use of, coercion or aversive techniques or tools.
My professional experience includes: working with and managing groups of dogs, assessing dog behavior for safe group play, teaching pet professionals to recognize and understand dynamic and fast-changing dog body language and behavior, in-home pet sitting, dog walking, leading group classes in multiple dog training facilities, supporting clients one-on-one through private training consultations, offering tailored board & train programs for select dogs, and working as a veterinary assistant.
Every year I continue my learning and training journey by attending both in-person and online continuing education opportunities like Clicker Expo and The Lemonade Conference. I also spend time participating in online classes through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Tromplo, and The School of Canine Science. Outside of attending classes, seminars, and workshops, I often listen to animal training podcasts and books about human and animal behavior. I also continue to expand my hands-on skills and knowledge by training and participating in various dog sports and activities with my pups.
It is a privilege to share my life with animals and support others as they learn and grow with their beloved companions. Cultivating relationships between dogs and their families is about building a common language, understanding the science of learning, and improving the quality of life for everyone in the household.
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