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Founder's Corner
Wes Anderson, Head of Dogineering
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One of my favorite memories from ClickerExpo Portland was sitting across from a ballroom and hearing an excited group of attendees let out a "whoo!" After checking my schedule, I saw that it came from a seminar with Hannah Branigan. That's the kind of excitement she brings to the table; and it's with good reason. She is dedicated to creating a healthy learning and teaching environment for pet parents and pets alike. It is for that reason, we admire her.
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Featured Trainer
Hannah Branigan (CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP)
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When and how did you decide that working with animals was the career move for you?
When I was in graduate school, I realized that the more frustrated and stressed I got in the lab, the more time I spent training my dogs, volunteering at the shelter, and assisting with classes. It finally occurred to me that I could drop the stressed out part and make working with animals my full time job. Of course, now as a small business owner, I never feel stressed or frustrated with my work. HA!
How does Pet Tutor fit into your daily training routine?
Most days I keep a Pet Tutor (PT) unit hanging on my puppy, Figment's kennel. After a run and a short training session, I pop him in his crate while I take a shower. The PT dispenses his breakfast onto a snuffle mat over the next 20 minutes while I get ready to take my daughter to school. The result is he now runs to his kennel in the mornings, instead of avoiding it, and I can shower in peace without having to listen to him whine and bark. Win-win!
Throughout the day, I also use the PT to manually dispense food whenever anything too exciting happens... like a UPS delivery or a loud noise from the construction next door. I also use it to reinforce him for waiting quietly while I teach lessons or workshops.
What do you think is the most valuable feature of Pet Tutor?
I love using the auto mode to dispense food on timed schedule. It lets me focus on other things while my dog's behavior continues to be reinforced on a schedule that I set in advance (when I'm able to think strategically) and before I get sucked into other demands on my attention.
Be sure to check out Hannah's wonderful Podcast, Drinking from the Toilet!
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Wrigley's enjoying an improvised Targeting game with a Snapple bottle in the absence of a Kong Wobbler. Sometimes it's all about what you have available at home!
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Send your pictures and videos to amanda@smartanimaltraining.com!
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