PROFILE: AN UNEXPECTED CONVERSATION

p r o f i l e 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

Arlene 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 conversation 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!

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.

Arlene Frater with her Labradors Salt and May

© Arlene Frater

Q: Are you a crossover trainer or have you always been a force‐free trainer? A: Always forcefree.

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

HOST A WEBINAR FOR PPG! HOST A WEBINAR FOR PPG!

Want to Share your Knowledge and Expertise?

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

“Dogs are family, or so people say, but they don’t always understand how dogs learn or how to help them adjust to our human world.” - Arlene Frater

Q: What drives you to be a force‐free professional and why is it impor‐tant to you? A: Dogs are family, or so people say, but they don’t always understand how dogs learn or how to help them adjust to our human world. I want to help owners build their bond with their dog so they can both enjoy the relationship. Dogs are amazing communicators; we just need to learn to better understand them.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job? A: The look on owners’ faces when they see their dog learn and understand something without constant repetition of the cue.

Q: What are some of your favorite positive reinforcement techniques for the most commonly encountered behavior issues? A: Focus, focus and more focus; games with dogs to encourage them to want to check in and be with their person; and LAT [Look at That] – I have had amazing results with this technique. Plus DRI [Differential Reinforcement of an Incompatible Behavior] – adding to the LAT behavior to really solidify the positive association with the distraction/scary thing, etc.

Q: What is the reward you get out of a day's training with people and their pets?: A: The change in the owner’s way of dealing with their dog and the bond that comes with that. Q: What is the funniest or craziest situation you have been in with a pet and their guardian? A: Working with an owner and their two dogs. We were teaching ‘middle’ to both dogs. The owner shouted the cue out in the middle of the field where we were training, and both dogs came running straight through her legs sending her flying. It was certainly an excellent ‘middle!’

Q: What awards or competition placements have you and your pet(s) achieved using force‐free methods? A: None, I don’t compete.

Q: Who has most influenced your career and how? A: Claire Staines of Lothlorien Dog Services, with her passion and lifelong commitment to helping people understand how to train dogs and how to enrich their lives. She was my mentor for my course with VSA. She pushed me to be the best I could be and to think outside the box.

Q: What advice would you give to a new trainer starting out? A: Take your time, be realistic and be honest about what you know. Be professional and refer on if needed, but ask to shadow that trainer so you can learn. Never be frightened to ask for help.

Q: How has PPG helped you to become a more complete trainer? A: The information PPG provides, the opportunity to network with other members, and the open discussions. Especially for someone new like me, there is so much information out there and to have access to so much in one place has been amazing. n

Calm Canine Training is located in West Lothian, Scotland, U.K. To be featured in the BARKS Profile section, please complete this form.

Become Your Community’s Dog Bite Safety Expert

Keeping future generations safe

Keeping Future Generations Safe Certified

Dog Bite Prevention Educator