Your Dog's Friend

A NONPROFIT IN ROCKVILLE, MD WITH FORCE-FREE, POSITIVE DOG TRAINING, FREE WEBINARS & ADVICE

Instructors & Staff

Click a name to jump down to your instructor’s bio:

Administrators:

 

 

Sarah Stoycos, KPA-CTP

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Sarah’s goal is helping dogs become happy, healthy life-long companions to their people. A former college professor who loves to teach, Sarah enjoys meeting new people and showing them ways to communicate better with their dogs.

  • Owner/trainer of Laughing Dog Academy
  • Certifications:
    • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
  • Education:
    • B.A. Bowdoin College
    • PhD Washington University in St. Louis
    • Seminars by Ken Ramirez, Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, Ken McCort, and Terry Ryan
  • Memberships:
  • Over a decade of experience working with a variety of animal species (dogs, seals, chimps, and monkeys!)
  • Experienced handling many different behavioral and training issues

(Contact Sarah.)

Lisa Arant

  • Owner/trainer of Small and Tall Dog Training
  • Certifications:
  • Education:
    • Workshops/seminars by: Kathy Sdao, M.A., Ken Ramirez, Patricia McConnell, PhD., Dr. Susan Friedman, Dr. Lore Haug, Bob Bailey, Kaye Lawrence, Suzanne Clothier, Temple Grandin
    • “Is That A Chicken?” Camp
  • Memberships:
  • Experienced foster for various shelter and rescue dogs
  • Worked at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter as a kennel technician
  • Worked as a veterinarian technician at a private practice
  • Presenter for Dogs & Storks and Dog & Baby Connection with Family Paws. These programs helps parents and grandparents-to-be in their endeavor to prepare their dogs for the arrival and life with a new family member or to adjust to the new stages of baby’s development

(Contact Lisa.)

Susan Sanderson, PMCT3, KPA-CTP

Susan’s practice centers around force-free, rewards-based dog training and behavior work. She offers group classes and private lessons throughout the Washington, DC area.

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  • Teaches basic manners, Parkour (urban agility) and tricks/games classes at Joyful Dog LLC in Great Falls, VA
  • Certifications:
    • Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT3)
    • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
  • Education:
    • Sue Sternberg and Pia Silvani’s Instructors’ Training Course
    • Bob Bailey’s Operant Conditioning Chicken Workshops
    • Agility workshops with Stuart Mah and One Mind Dogs
    • Suzanne Clothier’s Trainers Workshop, Advances Trainers Retreat, and CARAT 1.1 Seminar
  • Memberships:
  • Has competed with her dog, Falco, in the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) at the Masters level
  • Volunteers as a trainer with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington

(Contact Susan.)

Marnie Montgomery, PMCT4, CPDT-KA

Marnie’s training approach draws on 20+ years’ experience in diverse areas of adult education honed through study and experience in Tellington TTouch and rewards-based methods of dog training and stress reduction.

YDF-Marnie

(Contact Marnie.)

E. Foley, CPDT-KA

E’s headfirst dive into dog behavior began when she adopted Titania, a fearful cocker spaniel. She discovered her passion for fearful dog rehab, most recently working one-on-one with cocker mixes rescued from a backyard breeder. E advises other foster parents of fearful dogs and helps manage Debbie Jacobs’ Facebook support group for fearful dog owners. E assisted in many classes at Your Dog’s Friend prior to obtaining her certification.

(Contact E.)

Jacqui Reardon, ANWI

Jacqui has been teaching K9NW® classes since May 2017. She started her nose work journey with her chocolate labs Blake and Chip when Blake was a puppy (he is now 6 years old). Hunter, her new puppy,  will be taking his Odor Recognition Test (ORT) in August 2020 and has his novice tricks title and his junior jumper title as well. Chip is now retired with his first NW3 title and several element titles and Blake has earned his NW3-Elite title and numerous element titles, in addition to competing in dock dogs, fast cat, and rally. Blake also competes in AKC scent work at the advanced level, Performance Scent Dogs at the novice level and recently attended the PA nose work camp.  Jacqui also volunteers at trials and attends seminars to further her knowledge and to watch dogs work to solve increasingly complex scent puzzles and build their confidence!

  • Certifications:
    • Associate Nose Work Instructor (ANWI)
  • Education:
    • B.S. Accounting, Loyola University
    • M.S. Taxation, University of Baltimore
    • CNWI course, NASCW
    • K9 Nose Work for Shelter Dogs Workshop
    • Various nose work, scent detection, handler workshops, seminars and coaching clinics
  • Membership:
    • National Association of Canine Scent Work (NASCW)
    • Dock Dogs Worldwide (DDWW)
    • North America Diving Dogs (NADD)
    • Oriole Dog Training Club

(Contact Jacqui.)

Joyce Loebig, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA

Joyce strives to develop training solutions that meet both the dog’s and their family’s needs. She loves looking at the world from the dog’s point of view.  Joyce is experienced in teaching classes and workshops for basic and advanced manners, puppy socialization, leash walking, reactive dogs, tricks and many other behaviors.  She has volunteered in several foster dog and animal welfare organizations in the area.

(Contact Joyce.)

Melissa Dilla, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CBBC-KA

Melissa and Bodhi, her Collie, work as a therapy dog team and Bodhi is also a certified R.E.A.D. dog. They’re titled and active in a variety of dog sports such as Obedience, Rally, Coursing, FCAT, Barn Hunting, Scent Work, Conformation, Tricks, and Herding. They’ve also earned the CGC, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, and Farm Dog titles as well. Melissa instructs several levels of Tricks and CGC classes and conducts evaluations at a local volunteer dog training club. She’s stewarded at club trials, and piloted the project of Fit Dog. Melissa and Bodhi contributed several admissions to the AKC PupPals program. She’s also volunteered with Hero Dogs for several years.

  • Owner/trainer at Metropolitan Dog LLC
  • Certifications:
    • Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
    • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
    • Collaborative Care Partner (DN-CCP)
    • Fear Free Pet Professional
    • AKC CGC, Tricks and ATT Evaluator
    • Do More With Your Dog Evaluator
    • Certified Dog Bite Prevention Educator (DBPE)
    • PPG Pet First Aid
    • Red Cross CPR
    • Certified Service Dog Coach
    • C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator
  • Education:
    • Bachelor of Social Science
    • Seminars/workshops: Bob Bailey, Suzanne Clothier, Temple Grandin, Sue Sternberg, Michael Shikashio, Clicker Expo
  • Memberships:

(Contact Melissa.)

Linlin Cao, Ph.D., CPDT-KA, CCUI

Linlin specializes in fearful, reactive and aggressive dog training. She enjoys applying her knowledge of canine behavior and the science of learning to improve the dog’s behavior and the owner and dog’s quality of life. Linlin  received full scholarship to The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and is currently training to become a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT) because she believes it is important to help the dog’s mind and body.

Linlin also enjoys dog sports and competes in Nosework and Rally/Obedience with her dogs Niko and Sunny.

  • Owner/trainer at Dogtor Training
  • Certifications:
    • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
    • Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI)
  • Education:
    • Ph.D., Material Science and Nano Engineering, Rice University
    • Living & Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman
    • Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashi
    • Family Paws Parent Educator

(Contact Linlin.)

Hedda Garland, CPDT-KA, PMCT2

  • HeddaFounder of School of Dogs
  • Certifications:
    • Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT2)
    • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
  • Education:
    • Canine Behavior and Training, Behavior Modification, and Advanced Behavior Studies academies with Pat Miller
    • Apprenticed with Pat Miller
    • Seminars conducted by Patricia McConnell, Steve White, Kathy Sdao, Sue Sternberg, Pia Silvani, Roger Abrantes, Nicole Wilde, Susanne Clothier, Terry Ryan, Sophia Yin, and others
  • Presenter for Dogs & Storks and Dog & Baby Connection with Family Paws. These programs helps parents and grandparents-to-be in their endeavor to prepare their dogs for the arrival and life with a new family member or to adjust to the new stages of baby’s development
  • One of her special interests is in Assistance Dogs and the support they can provide to children with Autism. She has worked with several families with autistic children and their assistance dogs. She offers guidance and training to people who train their own assistance dogs

(Contact Hedda.)

Jean Silverman, CPDT-KA

Jean is Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and has raised over 20 puppies since 2008.  She provides hours of training and socialization over a 12-16 month period, equipping the pup for the skills needed to change someone’s life.  Jean has been a volunteer at Your Dog’s Friend for 10 years.  She provides a loving home for two retired service dogs!

  • Certifications:
    • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
  • Education:
    • B.S.N. Georgetown University
    • Seminars by Ken Ramirez, Sue Sternberg, Susan Friedman, and Suzanne Clothier
    • Sally Dickinson & Kathleen Kelsey Chicken Workshop
  • Membership:
    • Mid-Atlantic Association of Positive Professional Pet Trainers

(Contact Jean.)

Cynthia Langford, ANWI

Cynthia currently runs nose work with her dogs Bruce Wayne, Mr. Tim Drake, and The Mighty Peanut. Bruce was the puppy who had too much energy and is a born competitor. Tim was born feral, scared of his own shadow and had no idea how to be a dog,. The Mighty Peanut is chaos in a ten pound package and is the most challenging one to run. Cynthia spent many years working in shelters and learned of the power of nose work to help a dog build confidence. She apprenticed during her NACSW instructor training under Jacy Kelley and Walt Feno of Canine Copilots.

  • Certifications:
    • Associate Nose Work Instructor (ANWI)
  • Education:
    • Bailey-Farhoody Operant Conditioning Workshops
    • Training internship at Humane Domaine
      (Contact Cynthia.)

Alfhild Winder, CPDT-KA

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Al is knowledgeable about a variety of dog training methods, and training since 1996. She continually enhances her training skills and knowledge of canine behavior by attending seminars, training courses and conferences given by today’s top trainers.

  • Owner of Come When Called Dog Training
  • Certifications:
    • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
  • Education:
    • Counseling Certificate for behavior problems from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, led by Jean Donaldson
    • Bob Bailey’s Chicken Camp in Sequim, Washington
    • Growly Class program at the SF/SPCA Academy
    • Seminars by Jean Donaldson, Susan Garrett, Leslie Nelson, Sue Sternberg, Kathy Sdao, Patricia McConnell, Pia Silvani, Suzanne Hetts, and Pamela Reid
    • Nose Work classes by Amy Herot and Jill Marie O’Brien
  • AKC Canine Good Citizen Test evaluator
  • Judges and stewards for obedience matches and trials in the area
  • Memberships:

(Contact Al.)

Tony Henline, KPA-CTP

Tony is the owner of Totally Happy Dog Training and has worked with dogs professionally for almost ten years.

(Contact Tony.)

Nicole Wright, Training Center Coordinator

Nicole provides administrative support, including managing class registrations, scheduling and responding to your email inquiries.
(Contact Nicole.)

Debra Ekman, Founder

YDF-Debra

Debra founded Your Dog’s Friend in 2006.  She is an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer (ABCDT), but has retired from teaching. Debra organizes all of Your Dog’s Friend’s free workshops and the newsletter.

(Contact Debra.)