When questioning a dog trainer the first thing you should ask is, "What are your qualifications?" and "To what professional dog training organizations do you belong ?" You may be surprised at the answer you receive!

Check out the Lucky Dog trainers, examine their experience and qualifications, and then you decide who you want training your dog!

Angie Neal, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Thank You Letter

Over 20 years experience as a trainer and behavior consultant. Angie began her career in 1985, working her way up from apprentice to instructor under the guidance of Joan Guertin, founder of Common Sense Dog Training. Angie has been a certified dog training instructor for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA.,and she also ran her own business, Manners by McGuire,(originally founded by Muellar Animal Hospital) for nearly four years.

Angie is the first trainer in the Sacramento area to become a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (www.iaabc.org), making her one of a select group of trainers certified in California, joining the ranks of Ian Dunbar, DVM (Before/After You Get Your Puppy and others), Jean Donaldson (Culture Clash) and Trish King (Parenting Your Dog). She is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers(APDT).

Angie worked at 4Paws University (www.4pawsu.com) for 5 years, teaching 4Paws Puppy Kindergarten classes and Steps 4 and 5 (advanced obedience). She also works individually with owners to solve their dog's behavioral,aggression and anxiety problems at home.

Angie mentored 4Paws University owners and trainers, Kelly Ryan and Lisa Mullinax for more than five years before she and her family returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Angie had left 20 years before to move to Sacramento.

Angie's skills and knowledge include operant and classical conditioning, military and traditional training, agility, flyball, tricks, clicker  training and canine nutrition. Angie stays current with new training technology through study and seminars by the top trainers and behavior specialists in the industry. Pictured above - Angie with her dogs Einstein, Switch, and Petal

EINSTEIN

Einstein is Angie's 10 year old German Shephard Dog. With Angie's help, Einstein overcame serious fearful behaviors as a puppy to become 4Paws University's ultimate canine representative! Due to a recently discovered orthopedic problem, Einstein has retired from all but the simplest jobs. Have a great retirement, Einstein!

To contact Angie please call Lucky Dog Central at 599-9663!

What is a certified dog behavior consultant?

Certified Dog Behavior Consultants are uniquely qualified practitioners with expertise in evaluating, managing and modifying a wide range of challenging canine behaviors. They build and strengthen relationships between the human and canine members of a household. They help humans minimize stress in training their dog and create an atmosphere where all members of the household together learn positive techniques for dog training.

Apprenticeships - For more information on Angie Neal's dog training apprenticeship program, please go to Apprenticeships (The apprenticeship program is currently full. Please contact us at debi@bealuckydog.com for information on our waiting list).

To see the rescue dogs Angie and our apprentices are working with please go to: "We Rescue, We Train!"

Brian Moore, Dog Trainer and Pack Socialization Specialist, CPCT

Brian started his career as a dog trainer at Lucky Dog Resort over three years ago. He is a member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and an ABKA Certified Pet Care Technician.

Brian has spent a number of years working with professional dog trainers. He has explored a variety of different methods and philosophies regarding canine training and behavior modification, with an emphasis on canine group behavior. Brian has attended seminars with nationally acclaimed trainers, and has put in hundreds of hours of independent study, and hands-on dog training practice. Brian also lends his time to the care and training of dogs from PALS Rescue, 9 Lives Rescue and Old English Sheepdog Rescue (Denver). These groups, and others, put their trust in Brian to help them rehabilitate and re-socialize dogs who have come from unfortunate beginnings.

Brian believes in training the dog, along with increasing the owner's understanding of their dog's subtle canine language. Brian is the first trainer in the area to study group dynamics in an active playgroup setting, and all new Lucky Dog employees are required to train with him. He offers his own program "Pack Socialization" for those dog owners who feel their dogs need more one-on-one training in the playgroup, or other social settings. Brian's expertise in dog pack dynamics has been a true asset to the staff, managers and clients of Lucky Dog Central.

Brian is now the Lead Trainer at Lucky Dog South, Lucky Dog's newest canine care facility.  For more information on Brian's classes or any of the canine behavior classes offered by the Lucky Dog Training Team please see training.

To contact Brian please call Lucky Dog South at 527-9663!

"Brian is a wonderful dog trainer, and we really enjoyed our class experience with him!  We did the 'Basic Obedience' course with our dog 'Suzi Blueberry' and appreciated Brian's professionalism and friendly manner!"

Cathy, Basic Obedience Client

Nikki Athey, ABCDT

Nikki has been training dogs and there people for 2 years. She is Lucky Dog Central's new Puppy Class trainer (Puppy Preschool). Nikki has been teaching (humans) for ten years, and has been a soccer coach for 16 years. You can leave messages for Nikki at Lucky Dog Central, 599-9663 and she will return your call.

Meldona Sauer - Agility Trainer

Meldona's first introduction to the dog training world is credited to her dog, Tobi.  Tobi was a rescue dog with many problems, all of which improved greatly after she started attending obedience class, and later agility.  Meldona was so impressed with Tobi's improvements that she began assisting with training and agility classes at Pikes Peak Obedience Club in 1997. In 2000, Meldona and a friend opened their own agility school, "Action Paws". Meldona co-owned and trained at Action Paws for 3 years, and has continued to train locally since 2003.  Tobi passed away in 2004, but Meldona has credited Tobi for her continued love of training and her general love of dogs!

Meldona is a member of APDT, and has worked with rescue groups fostering dogs and performing agility demos for their fundraisers. She has competed at the excellent levels of different agility organizations with her dog Tobi and Scooter. Scooter is older now and only competes occasionally, but her latest canine friend, Gizmo is currently in training to compete.

Meldona enjoys helping dog owners appreciate and have fun with their canine companions. Her teaching emphasis is placed on educating people to the exciting experience of owning a happy, well trained and contented dog! Whether you are looking to compete in agility, get in some great exercise for both you and your dog, or just want to have fun, Meldona is ready to helpyou achieve your goals!

Meldona and her husband Jim share their home and their lives with four great dogs!

To contact Meldona please call Lucky Dog South at 527-9663! or meldona@bealuckydog.com

*Our Training Team Works Together! When you work with a Lucky Dog Trainer, you get a whole team of trainers behind you, and your dog. Each Team member has other trainers to discuss training situations, and possible solutions for canine problem behaviors. Take advantage of our Team's decades of combined canine knowledge, and let the Lucky Dog Team help achieve your training goals!

Debi Ropes, General Manager