Canine Connection LLC
Dubuque, Iowa
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State-of-the-art dog training and behavior modification using force-free, reward-based methods
Founder/owner: Cindy Ludwig
- Graduate of the rigorous and highly respected 6-month long Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (one of only two in the State of Iowa)
- Master of Arts in Higher and Adult Education (University of Missouri); 40 years teaching experience in a variety of subject areas, all ages
- Bachelor of Science in (Natural) Science with coursework in the social (psychology, etc.) as well as biological sciences
- Graduate and post-graduate coursework with field experience at regionally accredited U.S. universities in animal behavior and learning, pet nutrition
- Purdue University Animal Behavior Clinic DOGS! course in principles and techniques of behavior modification (one of two course participants from Iowa)
- Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers; 2010 member, Education Committee of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certified Evaluator
- Dog Scouts of America Troop Leader (#224, only troop in Iowa)
- Member, Truly Dog-Friendly Coalition of Trainers (only Iowa member)
- "Be A Tree" presenter, Doggone Safe (only presenter in eastern Iowa)
- Paws With A Cause Field Representative, 2009-2012
- Years of volunteer experience working with animal shelters and rescues in Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa
- Registered professional nurse, 35 years, previously certified in critical care; completed American Red Cross class in pet first aid and CPR
- Professional writer, 40 years, by-lines in peer-reviewed journals, print and online publications; book reviewer
- Founder, Canine Connection (Positively Trained) Certified Therapy Dogs
- Volunteer dog training expert, AllExperts.com
Using the same techniques used to train dolphins and other sea mammals
No force, no pain, no intimidation
We do not use choke chains, leash corrections, prong collars, shock collars, physical molding, dominance maneuvers or verbal corrections.
More information...
Testimonials
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"At Canine Connection, training is something we do with our dogs, not to them!"
Canine Connection is not about showing off how well controlled your dog is, but rather about developing a wonderful relationship based on effective communication that results in a well trained and voluntarily cooperative dog! It's about making that all important connection with your canine companion through positive motivation, not compulsion!
Canine Connection Founder & Owner, Cindy Ludwig
"Training should be about helping animals succeed in the world we've created for them,
not boosting our egos."
~ Dr. Grey Stafford
Cindy's dogs
Ginger
5 year-old collie mix adopted from the humane society at the age of about 3 months. Ginger has been making weekly therapy visits to a local nursing center for 4 years. In addition to therapy work, Ginger has participated in rally, agility, competition obedience, tracking and nosework. Ginger accompanies Cindy in presentations on child safety and bite prevention, and was the dog who accompanied Cindy in the Karen Pryor Academy. Ginger is a Canine Good Citizen, Cadet Scout with Dog Scouts of America and registered with the AKC as an All American Breed in the organization's Canine Partners program.
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Opal
3 1/2 year-old Golden Retriever, bred to be a service dog but deemed unsuitable and "career changed" out of a national program. She came to live in Iowa and was clicker trained by Cindy to be a certified service dog. Opal also participates in agility, competition obedience, drill team and canine musical freestyle. She accompanies Cindy in presentations about service dogs and in her work with aggressive dogs as a "teacher dog." Opal made history by earning the first Dog Scout title in Iowa.
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"Research shows that dogs do not need to be physically punished to learn how to behave, and there are significant risks associated with using
punishment (such as inhibiting learning, increasing fear, and/or stimulating aggressive events). Therefore, trainers who routinely use choke chain
collars, pinch collars, shock collars, and other methods of physical punishment as a primary training method should be avoided."
~American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
advises against trainers who use choke chains, prong collars, shock, leash corrections, forced downs, alpha rolls, scruffing, kneeing the dog in the chest or abdomen, pinching the toes, hitting the dog, yelling, choking, helicoptering and those who advise owners to be the alpha and explain behavior in terms of dominance.
advises against trainers who use choke chains, prong collars, shock, leash corrections, forced downs, alpha rolls, scruffing, kneeing the dog in the chest or abdomen, pinching the toes, hitting the dog, yelling, choking, helicoptering and those who advise owners to be the alpha and explain behavior in terms of dominance.
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) has also issued the following advisory for veterinarians:
"It is vitally important that veterinarians be knowledgeable about the qualifications and behavior modifications methodologies used by non-veterinarians to whom they refer clients. Non-veterinarians often play an integral role in the animal health care team. However, if outdated and inhumane methods are used by such individuals, they can cause irreversible harm to the patient and result in client injury. In some circumstances, relegating patient care to a non veterinarian does not meet the accepted standard of care and can constitute a violation of a state’s veterinary practice act."
In addition to the recommendations above issued to pet owners advising against the use of shock, choke chains, prong collars and other methods and tools of force, the association recommends that veterinarians interview trainers with whom they are considering affiliating and "prescreen trainers to interview by selecting those with a certification from an organization that espouses scientifically based, humane training techniques, such as CPDT [Certified Professional Dog Trainer], IAABC [International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants] or KPA [Karen Pryor Academy]. You will want to ask about the trainer’s education and training. Ideally you want someone who, at a minimum, has taken classes in animal behavior, learning theory, and psychology."
The ACVB advises that "good marketing skills do not make a good trainer....education makes a good trainer," and cautions against trainers offering guarantees.
Referrals should be made using the guidelines above offered by the ACVB and the AVMA, which states that "Veterinarians should not allow their medical judgment to be influenced by agreements by which they stand to profit through referring clients to other providers of services or products."
In addition to the recommendations above issued to pet owners advising against the use of shock, choke chains, prong collars and other methods and tools of force, the association recommends that veterinarians interview trainers with whom they are considering affiliating and "prescreen trainers to interview by selecting those with a certification from an organization that espouses scientifically based, humane training techniques, such as CPDT [Certified Professional Dog Trainer], IAABC [International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants] or KPA [Karen Pryor Academy]. You will want to ask about the trainer’s education and training. Ideally you want someone who, at a minimum, has taken classes in animal behavior, learning theory, and psychology."
The ACVB advises that "good marketing skills do not make a good trainer....education makes a good trainer," and cautions against trainers offering guarantees.
Referrals should be made using the guidelines above offered by the ACVB and the AVMA, which states that "Veterinarians should not allow their medical judgment to be influenced by agreements by which they stand to profit through referring clients to other providers of services or products."
Certified Trainers:
There are Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDTs) who use force-free positive reinforcement methods, but there are also CPDTs who use methods and tools not recommended by the AVSAB and ACVB, for example shock, also known as "electrical stimulation," "remote collar training" or "e-touch" (not to be confused with TTouch, a force-free method of inducing behavioral calm and relaxation through massage work).
CPDT Certification alone does not guarantee that a trainer has any formal education in dog training since certification only requires passing a (standardized) test and having a minimum of 300 hours of experience, which is supposed to be as a head or lead trainer. It does not guarantee that a trainer uses force-free positive reinforcement (reward-based) training. The only way to know is to ask what tools and techniques the trainer uses and doesn't use. Also, note that unless a CPDT has the initials,"SA" (skills assessed) or "KSA" (knowledge and skills assessed) after the CPDT credential, that trainer's skills have not been assessed, only knowledge in a written multiple-choice examination. The initials, "KA" after the CPDT credential (e.g., CPDT-KA) indicates that the certified individual has passed the written test only.
Karen Pryor Academy graduates and Certified Training Partners (KPA-CTPs) must sign an agreement upon graduation and conferring of the KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) credential that they will adhere to force-free positive reinforcement principles and practices as taught in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior, participate in ongoing continuing education and adhere to a written code of ethics. Karen Pryor Academy graduates must pass numerous examinations with a minimum of 90% throughout the 6 month-long course and pass final skills and knowledge examinations with at least a 90% score. Skills are evaluated throughout the course. Not all graduates pass the final assessments the first time around to receive the KPA-CTP credential. Only graduates who pass all final examinations are certified as Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners.
CPDT Certification alone does not guarantee that a trainer has any formal education in dog training since certification only requires passing a (standardized) test and having a minimum of 300 hours of experience, which is supposed to be as a head or lead trainer. It does not guarantee that a trainer uses force-free positive reinforcement (reward-based) training. The only way to know is to ask what tools and techniques the trainer uses and doesn't use. Also, note that unless a CPDT has the initials,"SA" (skills assessed) or "KSA" (knowledge and skills assessed) after the CPDT credential, that trainer's skills have not been assessed, only knowledge in a written multiple-choice examination. The initials, "KA" after the CPDT credential (e.g., CPDT-KA) indicates that the certified individual has passed the written test only.
Karen Pryor Academy graduates and Certified Training Partners (KPA-CTPs) must sign an agreement upon graduation and conferring of the KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner) credential that they will adhere to force-free positive reinforcement principles and practices as taught in the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior, participate in ongoing continuing education and adhere to a written code of ethics. Karen Pryor Academy graduates must pass numerous examinations with a minimum of 90% throughout the 6 month-long course and pass final skills and knowledge examinations with at least a 90% score. Skills are evaluated throughout the course. Not all graduates pass the final assessments the first time around to receive the KPA-CTP credential. Only graduates who pass all final examinations are certified as Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners.
*See the links page for guidelines and recommendations for selecting a trainer. Before selecting a dog trainer, read the position statements of the AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) and the ACVB (American College of Veterinary Behaviorists). Also see this video on Training Technique Controversies featuring Dr. Gary Landsberg, board-certified veterinary behaviorist, this article about dog collars published by the Humane Society of the United States and this video with Dr. Grey Stafford, Director of Conservation at the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium in Arizona.
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