Alumni: What Our Grads Say

"The Academy's unique format gave me the ideal way to deeply absorb a lot of dog training material that I "knew" but never completely understood. Jean's presentations are insightful, entertaining and crystal clear. She is the kind of teacher who makes you want to learn more, then go practice what you've just been taught---and this happens without even being in the same room with her! All of the Academy materials were engaging on every level and I was able to significantly improve my mechanical skills as a trainer right away. I felt secure in the knowledge that if I got stuck in my learning process, Jean would be there, virtually or otherwise, to help me figure it out and move forward. Before I started the program I was a competent dog handler with a lot of questions about what I was doing. Since completing the course, my technique is cleaner, my results with dogs are faster, and I finally have the confidence that I know what I'm doing with both my clients and my training plans. Because of Jean, I am now proud to call myself a professional, science-based dog trainer who can deliver results and really help dogs live better lives."

Stacey Brewer
Owner, Creature Comforts, Alameda, California
www.creature-comforts.info

"The education and support I received at The Academy under Jean Donaldson's direction was by far the single greatest investment I've ever made in my future as a dog training professional.

Not only did I learn about how dogs learn, but I myself was humanely trained to educate my human students with positive reinforcement. I would let Jean "train" me again any time!

Not only is Jean a fantastic teacher of dogs, she stands alone as one of the most HUMANE people educators I've ever had the privilege of studying under. She sincerely talks the talk of positive reinforcement, but also walks the walk."

Denise Herman
Owner, Empire of the Dog

"The Academy was the best six weeks of my life. It gave me the knowledge to not only work with dogs and their behavior issues, but also communication and counseling skills for working with clients. This community of people, both students and peers, have become my resource when helping my clients and their dogs."

Marissa Martino
Owner and Operator, Paws and Reward Dog Training, San Francisco CA

"If it weren't for brilliant, inspirational tutelage of Jean Donaldson, Aishe and I would probably be working in miserable 9-5 jobs; instead we are living our dream jobs, doing work we love, and enhancing the lives of our canine and human community.

Jean is the rock-star of the dog training world. She taught us everything we know about humane-based dog training principles. We graduated with a sense of purpose that neither of us has ever felt before. Jean showed us how important education and prevention is to saving dog's lives. If pup and parent could start off on the right paw from the get-go, with scientific learning principles at their ready, the relationship is far more likely to succeed. This led to SF Puppy Prep - a center to support and educate puppies and their sweet, but frazzled parents. We are now 6 and 1/2 years out, and we see evidence every day that what we've learned from Jean Donaldson has manifested in hundreds of well socialized, happy puppies, fewer dogs ending up in shelters with behavioral issues, and smarter, more sensitive humans.

If you ever get a chance to hear Jean speak, you will understand why we are 'star-struck.' And if you haven't read her acclaimed book, The Culture Clash, get thee to the bookstore ASAP and pick it up! When the Academy left the SF/SPCA, we could hear all the eager students on the wait-list for enrollment moan in despair. Now that Jean has decided to re-invent it, those same folks will be dancing for joy.

A great teacher can change your life. Great teachers are few and far between. Jean Donaldson rocked our world and then gave us the tools, knowledge, and belief in ourselves, to build a better one. She has taught us how to be the kind of people our dogs think we are."

Stephanie Miller
Owner/Director of Daycare & Dog Walking
SF Puppy Prep
www.sfpuppyprep.com

"It is so easy to get completely overwhelmed by all the dog training "experts" out there all spouting their "surefire way" to train a dog. But Jean only approaches her teachings from a science-based, completely humane perspective. From learning theory and classroom preparation to ethics to step-by-step instructions on how to teach and motivate a dog to behave, Jean completely answered the questions about how and why a dog can and should be treated humanely in every way. The focus was also not solely on teaching dogs the basics. There was intensive work on treating aggression, separation anxiety, and fear.

If you are serious about becoming a professional dog trainer, and you are dedicated to treating dogs humanely, you should do whatever you can to study with Jean."

Jeff Millman
Chicago Paws
Watch and Train, LLC

"Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers gave us the foundation to successfully launch full-time, careers as dog training and behavior consultants. Her forthright, honest and humane approach to dogs, training and behavior issues is accurate, effective and refreshing! Jean Donaldson is one of the most influential educators for dog trainers and owners. The Academy's modern, science-based program thoroughly prepared us with a well-rounded education, including an incredible understanding of how dogs learn and behave, a technical proficiency in training dogs as well as the people skills and business skills required to run a successful business. If you are considering a career as a dog behavior consultant, Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers is without a doubt the very best choice."

Drayton Michaels
CTC 2007
www.pitbullguru.com
and
Vyolet Michaels
CTC 2003
www.urbandawgs.com

"In 1999 I was a corporate hack, going through the daily grind. Eventually I got sick of it and decided that life was too short to not follow my passion.

Dog training was it for me; I always found myself enrolled in one class or another. I decided to put my fears aside and look for the best dog trainer program I could find. My research continually led me back to The Academy for Dog Trainers.

The curriculum was developed and taught by Jean Donaldson; it was rooted in science, based on the psychology of learning and the evolutionary processes that explain behavior. I was given all of the tools I needed to face even the most complex behavior cases.

I jumped in with both feet, got the education of a lifetime, became a dog trainer and never looked back. If I can do it, you can do it."

Wendy Van Kerkhove
Owner, Fresh Air Dog Training
Minneapolis Minnesota

"I credit much of my growth and subsequent success in the field of animal behavior and training to the comprehensive education I received in Academy with Jean Donaldson. As a marine mammal trainer trying to shift into the field of domestic dog training, attending the Academy was one of the best career decisions I made and allowed me to make the transition successfully.

The Academy provides a thorough, scientifically sound education that is vital for trainers just entering the field or those wishing to broaden their scope and further their skills. Graduates of The Academy develop into trainers and behavior counselors with efficient skills for training fluent behaviors, resolving behavior problems, and coaching clients. As the Director of Animal Training and Behavior for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, I seek to hire trainers with the level of expertise and education provided by Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers.

Furthermore, I credit the success of the Humane Society's shelter behavior modification program to the experience and instruction I received in Academy and I am enormously pleased this program continues to save the lives of many shelter dogs here in Boulder. "

Lindsay Wood, MA, CTC
Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Director of Animal Training and Behavior
Academy for Dog Trainers graduate 2004

"One cannot hope to capture what it is like to be Jean Donaldson's student in a few short lines but here is an attempt. Imagine being taught by someone who can emphasize with each learner, treat each question as if it were the first time she had ever heard it, create an atmosphere of respect, warmth and academic integrity while offering instruction which is firmly based in science in a field which is littered with myths. Even Jean's exam questions are a delight. Well-written, challenging even for the very best of her students while giving a fair chance of success to anyone who really dug into the material. The test questions demanded that we actually think about what we learned in order to answer them. Some instructors are bright. Others know how to teach. And there are those who can entertain. Jean combines all of these qualities and is effective with at least two species - maybe more!"

Diane Podolsky CTC
The Cultured Canine
http://www.theculturedcanine.com/