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An Unexpected Conversation In our ongoing series of PPG member profiles, this month BARKS features Arlene Frater of Calm Canine Training in West Lothian, Scotland
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rlene Frater runs Calm Canine Training in Broxburn, which is in the county of West Lothian, Scotland in the United Kingdom.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself, how you first got into animal behavior and training and what you are doing now? A: I met another dog walker one day and got engaged in a conversa tion all about dominance theory. Before I knew it, I was completing a dog training course with the Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA) and I haven’t looked back since. The other dog walker is now doing the same course and we are running training classes together. Q: Why did you become a trainer/pet care provider? A: I have always loved animals. I wanted to be a vet but academia wasn’t my strong point. I did lots of work with horses, and helped at local vets and a small farm. Having children took over for a while, but then my friend opened her own day care and dog walking business and needed some help. From there, that unexpected conversation with a stranger opened up the world of training and then the VSA dog training course opened up a new world for me. Q: Tell us a little bit about your own pets. A: I have two yellow Labradors: Salt, who is 2 years old, and May, who is 5 years old. My friend is a breeder and I was lucky enough to be chosen to get those two. They’re fun and very well driven. They are a pair of cuddle monsters who also love a game of bitey face!
Arlene Frater with her Labradors Salt and May
Q: What do you consider to be your area of expertise? A: Training owners to be calm and help them improve the bond with their dog.
Q: Are you a crossover trainer or have you always been a force‐free trainer? A: Always forcefree.
© Arlene Frater
HOST A WEBINAR FOR PPG! Want to Share your Knowledge and Expertise? Showcasing the best of the pet industry to chat, chuckle and share Join host Niki Tudge and guests discussing news and views on force-free training, behavior, and pet care!
barksfromtheguild.com/podcasts
Topics may include a particular aspect of training, ethology, learning theory, behavior specifics... anything at all your fellow pet professionals would find educational.
We’ll even do some practice runs with you to help you along (if you need them!)
SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TO:
petprofessionalguild.com/Host-A-Webinar
BARKS from the Guild/September 2021
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