Canine Connection in Dubuque, Iowa
is leading the way with state-of-the-art positive reinforcement dog training and behavior modification services
in eastern Iowa and the beautiful tri-state area of northeast Iowa, southwest Wisconsin
and northwest Illinois along the Mississippi River.
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You have my word as founder
and owner of Canine Connection LLC that Canine Connection only employs
state-of-the-art dog training as taught in the Karen Pryor Academy and by other
top professionals in the industry and we do NOT use any force, pain or intimidation
in training. We will not use euphemisms to describe the type of training we do,
methods we employ or equipment we use, and you can be assured that the training
and guidance regarding behavior modification you receive from representatives
of Canine Connection is the best the industry has to offer! While others may
try to copy what we do and claim to offer similar or the same services, Canine
Connection is the real deal - follow the leader! Follow Canine Connection!
Lucinda M. "Cindy" Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP
Master of Arts in Higher & Adult Education, University of Missouri
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Lucinda M. "Cindy" Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP
Master of Arts in Higher & Adult Education, University of Missouri
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Owner/manager Lucinda "Cindy" Ludwig:
Graduate, Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, one of only two in the State of Iowa
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), one of only two in the State of Iowa
4 decades professional teaching and writing experience
Master of Arts in Higher & Adult Education from the University of Missouri
Graduate education in animal learning lab (at the University of Missouri) performing operant conditioning experiments related to schedules of reinforcement
Graduate education in canine biology, behavior and pet nutrition
One of only two course participants from Iowa, Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic DOGS! Course: Principles & Techniques of Behavior
Modification
Contributor, Top Tips from Top Trainers: 1001 Practical Tips & Techniques for Successful Dog Care and Training, published March 2010
Contributor, Animalinfo Publications, Australia
Community Blogger, WQAD
Full Member, APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
2010 Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Education Committee
Full Charter Member, Pet Professional Guild, the Association for Force Free Pet Professionals
Member, IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
Provider Member, IAADP (International Association of Assistance Dog Partners)
Hundreds of hours of experience volunteering in animal shelters in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois over the past 20 years
Direct, hands-on experience with wolves, graduate education in wolf behavior and seminar attendee, International Wolf Center & Wolf Park
Bachelor of Science in Natural Science (biology, physiology, genetics, chemistry, physics, math, etc.) from the University of Findlay
Registered nurse 34 years, previously certified in critical care, advanced cardiac and basic trauma life support, employed by some of the nation's top
medical institutions including the Mayo Clinic Foundation, Duke University Medical Center, and the Barnes Jewish System
Previously licensed paramedic; CPR and First Aid instructor 18 years; completed American Red Cross Pet CPR and First Aid class taught by veterinarian
Ongoing continuing education related to dog training and behavior provided by some of the world's foremost trainers and veterinary behaviorists
AKC (American Kennel Club) Certified Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, since 2009
TDI (Therapy Dogs International) Certified Evaluator, 2011-2012
Approved evaluator, K9to5 National Dog Therapy Registry, 2012
Field Representative, eastern Iowa and the tri-state area, Paws with a Cause, 2009-present
Sales Representative, Anxiety Wrap
Doggone Safe Be A Tree dog bite prevention presenter, first and only presenter in eastern Iowa and the tri-state area
Graduate, Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, one of only two in the State of Iowa
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), one of only two in the State of Iowa
4 decades professional teaching and writing experience
Master of Arts in Higher & Adult Education from the University of Missouri
Graduate education in animal learning lab (at the University of Missouri) performing operant conditioning experiments related to schedules of reinforcement
Graduate education in canine biology, behavior and pet nutrition
One of only two course participants from Iowa, Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic DOGS! Course: Principles & Techniques of Behavior
Modification
Contributor, Top Tips from Top Trainers: 1001 Practical Tips & Techniques for Successful Dog Care and Training, published March 2010
Contributor, Animalinfo Publications, Australia
Community Blogger, WQAD
Full Member, APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
2010 Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Education Committee
Full Charter Member, Pet Professional Guild, the Association for Force Free Pet Professionals
Member, IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
Provider Member, IAADP (International Association of Assistance Dog Partners)
Hundreds of hours of experience volunteering in animal shelters in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois over the past 20 years
Direct, hands-on experience with wolves, graduate education in wolf behavior and seminar attendee, International Wolf Center & Wolf Park
Bachelor of Science in Natural Science (biology, physiology, genetics, chemistry, physics, math, etc.) from the University of Findlay
Registered nurse 34 years, previously certified in critical care, advanced cardiac and basic trauma life support, employed by some of the nation's top
medical institutions including the Mayo Clinic Foundation, Duke University Medical Center, and the Barnes Jewish System
Previously licensed paramedic; CPR and First Aid instructor 18 years; completed American Red Cross Pet CPR and First Aid class taught by veterinarian
Ongoing continuing education related to dog training and behavior provided by some of the world's foremost trainers and veterinary behaviorists
AKC (American Kennel Club) Certified Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, since 2009
TDI (Therapy Dogs International) Certified Evaluator, 2011-2012
Approved evaluator, K9to5 National Dog Therapy Registry, 2012
Field Representative, eastern Iowa and the tri-state area, Paws with a Cause, 2009-present
Sales Representative, Anxiety Wrap
Doggone Safe Be A Tree dog bite prevention presenter, first and only presenter in eastern Iowa and the tri-state area
Cindy Ludwig's dogs
Ginger
3 1/2 year old collie mix that has been working as a therapy dog for over 2 years; Ginger has participated in rally, agility, competition obedience and tracking.
| Opal
2 year old Golden Retriever, clicker trained as a service/demonstration dog; Opal participates in agility and competition obedience and is learning canine musical freestyle.
Watch a video of Opal here. |
Cindy Ludwig, M.A., KPA-CTP is a full charter member of the Pet Professional Guild, the Association for Force Free Pet Professionals. She is the first and only member in the State of Iowa and neighboring states of Wisconsin and Illinois. Guild members are pet professionals who adhere to a strict code of ethical conduct and guiding principles of force free animal care and training which means care and training without the use of shock, pain, fear, physical force, physical molding or other forms of compulsion. Unlike many professional organizations, membership in the Pet Professional Guild is not automatic; the Pet Professional Guild aims to be the Mercedes Benz of the Pet Industry and membership is reserved for pet professionals who are committed to upholding the force free ideals of the organization.
Canine Connection LLC is home of the only certified clicker trainer in eastern Iowa and the tri-state area,
and is the only dog training service in Iowa listed on the Truly Dog-Friendly website.
"Truly Dog-Friendly" trainers are committed to training without the use of force, pain or intimidation. They do not use choke chain collars, leash corrections, prong collars or shock collars (also referred to as "e-collars," "remote training collars," "static collars," "e-touch"). Membership is by recommendation.
Training should be about helping animals succeed in the world we've created for them,
not boosting our egos.
~ Dr. Grey Stafford
Canine Connection is not about showing off how well controlled your dog is, but rather about having 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!
*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.
© 2011 Canine Connection LLC All rights reserved.
