About

Experience and Training

Barrie Finger, CDBC, CPDT-ka, has been training dogs in the Denver metro area for over 11 years. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a professional member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She regularly attends pet behavior conferences and seminars, meets with other local trainers, and constantly reads books, articles and journals to keep current on the exciting advances in the fields of animal care, training, and behavior.

Barrie’s training philosophy is positive reinforcement based, focusing on strengthening the relationship between dog and owner to foster mutual respect and communication. She uses benevolent training methods that she has acquired from her own experience, as well as that of other trainers and behaviorists around the world-methods that, with the enthusiasm and cooperation of dog owners, produce long-lasting, solid results.

What Is the IAABC?

“The IAABC promotes professionalism and continuing education in the field of animal behavior.  Animal behavior consultants respect the client’s right to self-determination and embrace a non-judgmental approach. Our certified members are required to demonstrate competency in six core areas including assessment and intervention strategies, counseling skills, behavioral science, knowledge of animal behavior, and species-specific knowledge.”
www.iaabc.org

What Does “CPDT-ka” Mean?

“The Certified Professional Dog Trainer (“ka”=Knowledge Assessed) program is an internationally recognized certification program for professional dog trainers based on humane training practices and the latest scientific knowledge related to dog training. CPDTs have earned this credential by demonstrating their knowledge and experience in dog training.

Certified Professional Dog Trainers maintain their credential through continuing education by attending workshops, conferences, and hands-on seminars for professional dog trainers. This continuing education requirement ensures that CPDTs are knowledgeable about the most current thinking, research, and techniques in the field.”
www.ccpdt.org