Star Dog Obedience

                                                       ABOUT THE TRAINER

The owner/trainer of Star Dog Obedience is Melody Chavez. She has been training dogs for roughly 5 years after starting a not-for-profit dog rescue organization. Melody is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (Member # 75054), International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, Therapy Dogs International and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evaluator (Evaluator # 37970.) Information about CCPDT, APDT or AKC CGC or STAR Puppy Programs can be found on the Recommendations Page.

   “Animal behavior and training has always been a passion of mine. When I was in middle school, I taught my old chow mix Cocoa how to dance, play dead, shake (as in “shake the water off your coat!”), give high fives, as well as the basic sit, stay, lay down behaviors. Cocoa was a great old girl who passed away at the ripe old age of 16 in 2007. Since that time, I have dedicated my life to learning about dogs, the way they learn, think and act, as well as teaching myself about the best possible methods for training. Choke chains, prong collars and shock collars are never used in my techniques. I only use dog-friendly methods. Dogs are our friends...why use punishment and pain to train them?”

Melody has been training dogs in her rescue organization of which many have passed the Canine Good Citizen evaluation and have moved on to Therapy Dog work. One of which is Melody's personal dog Magnum, a rescued American Pit Bull Terrier. Magnum enjoys working with children, teaching them about shelter dogs as well as doing the Paws 2 Read program!

In 2008 Melody decided to start her own dog training business to help bring in some funds for the rescue. Both private, in home training and class instruction is available. New classes are starting up quite often, so please check the “Classes & Services” page for more information as well as prices and dates.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (Member # 75054)
AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evalutor (Evaluator # 37970)
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners member
Therapy Dogs International member

WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS ATTENDED:
-"Click for Independence I" - with Becky McClintock
An Introduction to Training, Selecting and Placing Service and Hearing Dogs

-"Perspectives on Canine Aggression" - with Sarah Kalnajs

-Animal Communication Level 1 & 2

-Energy Healing for Animals

-Reiki Level 1