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| Flower. Read her story. |
Adrienne Caldwell:
Hailing from a family of three generations of dog trainers, her abilities in understanding and communicating with dogs were cultivated at an early age. Born and raised in a multiple dog household -- rarely living with less than six dogs at any given time in her life -- her intuitive approach to working with dogs has been compared in style to that of Turid Rugas, author of "On Talking Terms with Dogs".
Of her beginnings in the world of dogs, the most memorable are her frequent excusions as a child into the Arkansas wilderness with her blind Grandfather and his twelve hunting dogs (who he also trained as his guide dogs). Her first dog walking business was at the age of eight in Forest Hills Gardens; her first client an Alaskan Malamute named Kodiak.
Aftering studying Psychology for four years at Queens College and Columbia University (where she held an Internship and Research Assistant position at Long Island Jewish Medical Center) she recieved her BFA from School of Visual Arts where she wrote and directed a documentary short entitled "Raised by a Dog in New York City."
Her approach to dog training is holistic and based on a lifetime of living with and interacting with dogs, and strives toward "obedience" and/or behavioral goals through clear communication, understanding and a relationship of mutual respect between dog and owner. If an approach isn't condusive to increasing your dog's self confidence and strengthening the bond between you and your dog it ISN'T used.
Her philosophy is evident in her current pack of three Bull Terrier mixes -- Lewis, Oona and Max rescued from various shelters throughout the tri-state area. In her words "they are rehabilitated well but not as well trained. After returning home from a day of working with everyone else's dogs I like to come home to dogs, rather than robots. After the tenuous situations from which they were rescued it makes me smile to see them sitting in a chair trying to sneak coffee from a mug or standing on a table in the middle of the night scavenging for crumbs."
Adrienne has been a full time Canine obedience and behavior consultant since 1990. She offers Private Consultations with pet dogs and their owners on anything from housebreaking and basic obedience to complex behavioral issues. Areas of specialization include hyperactivity, dominance issues, other-dog and human aggression, on-leash reactivity, general and trigger specific fears, separation anxiety and shyness.
Currently she teaches Group Classes including Puppy, Basic, Canine Good Citizen and Tricks at 8 different Petco locations in New York (where she has been teaching classes for over 5 years). Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
In addition to her work as a dog trainer she is involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of rare and difficult to place breeds for municipal shelters and rescue groups. This includes temperament evaluation and training support to foster and adoptive families. Volunteer trainer for all Pit Bulls adopted from Earth Angels Rescue.
Her experience with animals also extends to the rescue and rehabilitation of exotic birds (Parrots, Macaws and Cockatoos) and cats through her volunteer work at various animal sanctuaries in the New York area.
Currently a resident of the town of Maspeth in Queens, New York she is currently the owner of a dog walking and pet sitting business in select areas of Queens and the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/newsletter/04-11/success.htm
Meet Adrienne's Pack
