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!

Sadly, Einstein crossed the rainbow bridge on October 7, 2009. He will be missed by his family and many friends, both canine and human.

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. This is not part of an employment program! We are currently accepting apprenticeship students. For more information please contact debi@bealuckydog.com 

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

Cristina Wade - Trainer/Agility LD South

Cristina has over twelve years experience handling and training dogs. She started out as a volunteer for the Boulder Humane Society clicker training the dogs to increase their adoption potential. Through her journeys Cristina found her way to Colorado Springs, and has been an apprentice of Angie Neal for 2.5 years. Cristina started her apprentice work training rescue dogs, and is now teaching all Training programs Pup/Beginning/Intermediate and Agility at Lucky Dog South. She is a supporting member #768 with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (www.iaabc.org), She has a passion for positive based training, nutrition, and addressing canine behavioral issues. She continues to learn with Angie as well as though self study, seminars from reputable trainers, and hands on with her own crew of dogs! Cristina has done some agility and search and rescue with her personal dogs, and she is always looking for new and fun ways to spend time with her four legged pals; Ayla, Gitmo, Toby and Dually.

Cara Marshall - Levels/Pup Trainer

Cara has studied under Angie Neal for 2 yrs. and has worked with an overwhelming number of rescue dogs, many with severe behavioral issues. Cara has a degree in social sciences, and planned to become an elementary teacher. However, since her involvement with our apprentice program Cara has "gone to the dogs" and is now training at Lucky Dog Central, and will soon, be training at Lucky Dog South as well. Cara's canine training skills include general obedience, minor behavioral problems, clicker training, and canine nutrition. Cara is an IAABC Supporting Member (#759) and is a licensed "Be A Tree" program presenter which teaches children how to avoid dog bites. For more information on Cara's classes please e-mail her at cara@bealuckydog.com or call 599-WOOF (9663)

Beatrice Ruff - Trainer

Beatrice began her dog training education two years ago with a career diploma in Dog Obedience Training and Instructing. She also has a degree in liberal arts, and has been studying under Angie Neal, CDBC, for 12 months in Angie's training apprenticeship program. Beatrice has furthered her dog training education through various telecourses and the intensive reading and practice of obedience training, canine behavioral problems, canine nutrition, clicker training, and the study of overall canine health. Beatrice is an IAABC Supporting Member #760 (www.iaabc.org) As she continues to increase her training skills with Angie Neal, Beatrice is working with the rehabilitation of rescue dogs, assisting with the Levels Program at Lucky Dog Central, and teaches puppy training classes and behavioral seminars. Beatrice has two dogs of her own, "Sam" a cattle dog mix, and Mandy (lab mix) who both participate in the Levels Program. For more information on Beatrice's classes call 527-9663 and for training seminars call 599-9663.

Matt Ragan - Weekday Swimming Coach

Along with the ability to convince dogs to "get their feet wet", Matt is an apprentice obedience trainer in his second phase of training. Matt has a gentle, caring way with dogs that elicits trust and responsiveness in the pool and on land.

*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-Stevenson, General Manager