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The Team

SmartDog Training began with Sherry’s love of dogs, keen interest in communication, passion for learning, and personal values on teaching through collaboration and motivation instead of force.

Our trainers and coaches engage in ongoing professional development in canine and human learning. We love helping you and your dog learn the skills required for obedience, safety, and success in all you do together. At SmartDog, we provide you with evidence-based, humane dog training and effective behaviour modification plans.

We have the knowledge to help you build the skills and confidence you need to get your dog to want to work with you. We’re looking forward to helping you discover the brilliance in your dog!

We are BCPSCA AnimalKind Accredited!

Sherry Antonishen

Head Trainer/Owner

Sherry Antonishen, CBCC-KA, BA (Honours in Communication)

Sherry loved dogs from before she could walk, and loved reading about and researching them prior to Kindergarten!  Her love of dogs and education came together when she received her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in the spring of 2004, a training program known as the “Harvard for Dog Trainers” because of its emphasis on critical thinking and the science of learning. What was surprising was how much compassion and humanity flowed from the practical, critical skills – important as Sherry loves working with people as much as working with dogs. Fifteen years later, still interested in deepening her professional skills, Sherry studied the principles of learning and Applied Behaviour Analysis with Dr Susan G. Friedman and was again struck by how a deeply skilled understanding of behaviour can lead to force-free, lasting change for our dog companions.

Sherry is a strong advocate for international regulation and professionalization of the dog training industry and holds a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA). The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers  (CCPDT) sets the world standard in dog training; its certification is based on continuing education,  years of experience, and intensive standardized testing.  All SmartDog Trainers, regardless of previous certifications, must write and pass the exams and meet the criteria of the CCPDT.  Sherry is also a member of the Vancouver Island Animal Training Association (VIATA) and  The Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers  whose mandates are embodied in SmartDog Training’s philosophy, and was Pet First Aid Certified through Walks N Wags in 2015. She has appeared on the A-Channel and Chek TV, been interviewed repeatedly on C-FAX and CBC radio, and written for several publications on dog behaviour.

With her in-depth training and over 15 years of hands-on experience, Sherry specializes in behaviour modification of  fearful and reactive dogs. Her own dogs include rescues that others have found too difficult – she works with all breeds, and knows that under the label ‘difficult to train’, ‘shy’ or even ‘hyper’, is a dog that can be helped with the right skill set and tools.  Sherry’s problem-solving skills help her clients manage and modify even the most challenging behaviour issues with practical, humane protocols.

When not running classes or working with clients on behaviour and training, Sherry can usually be found in her agility barn, running her own dogs or coaching others in this exciting, fun sport!

 

Roberta Press, CPDT-KA, BSc Hons, Lead Trainer

Roberta has a keen interest in the relationship between people and their dogs, and enjoys working with both humans and canines. An invaluable member of our team, Roberta has been with us since January of 2010. Her knowledge of both dog and people learning is truly amazing and clients that work with Roberta will always come away with new skills and a feeling of accomplishment. A strong believer in SmartDog’s positive training and problem solving philosophy, Roberta’s goal is to deliver classes that are both fun and educational for you and your puppy or adult dog.

Roberta is s a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (knowledge assessed) by the  Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and was Pet First Aid Certified through Walks N Wags in 2015. She is also a member of the Vancouver Island Animal Training Association (VIATA).

   

Erin Lucier, BSc (Zoology), Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), Professional Canine Trainer Accreditation (PCT-A)

Erin first got interested in dog training and animal behaviour when working with her anxious and reactive dog, Pippin. Her favourite dog sport is Disc in which she competes locally and is beginning to have podium finishes. Erin is also interested in dog fitness training and the sports of nosework, and Rally-O. Her newest dog, Vilya, is expanding her knowledge of living with a higher-drive dog.

Erin enjoys helping dogs and their owners understand each other and develop a partnership with each other.

Margaret Parkinson, BA (Anthropology) CPA, CA, Office Manager

Margaret has always loved animals.  When she got Ben, her first working dog, she promised the breeder she would try herding and agility to give him a job.  Herding wasn’t their thing but they quickly became addicted to agility.  Recently retired from over 30 years with the provincial government, Margaret is thrilled to have found an opportunity to combine her administrative skills with her love of dogs.  She’s looking forward to working with people who share her passion and learning more about training dogs.