My name is Amber Barry.
Raised in rural Duanesburg New York, I was fortunate to have a very pet friendly household from the big to the small. Growing up, I spent most of my time in the woods with my dogs, as well as much of my childhood studying wildlife. I had always been fascinated with animal behavior, and loved to observe them as a living being deep down.
When I turned thirteen-years-old, I adopted a 8 week old German Shepherd puppy, Shumani. It was then that I realized what it was to be a pet owner, and the importance of training and leadership. Like many of my clients, my approach to my dog was showered in constant affection and spoiled quite regularly, I bribed her for treats, allowed her to do as she pleased to the point where she didn't come when called and got struck by a car, almost losing her life.
Shumani became fearful and reactive to people due to lack of socializing, and began lunging and attempting to bite other dogs. I began researching training methods, from blogs to articles, to books. I began using my dog as the subject of what worked, and what didn't. It wasn't long until I was getting compliments on my dogs behavior, and became a infamous celebrity for being the girl who took her dog around town next to her bike.
With a balanced training system, I was able to maintain my dogs calm state of mind in high distraction areas and triggers. I was able to take her with me everywhere I went, and include her in every aspect of my life. She became more than just my pet or my dog - but my partner and ever constant companion on a deeper level.
This is where my goal began forming on how we could extend a bridge to that human-animal bond. As people began to ask me to work with their dogs, I looked more online as to what my options where.
In the summer of 2011, I applied to Animal Behavioral College. During this time I volunteered for Montgomery County SPCA which was a part of the program, training and working with their dogs. It was in this incident that I truly became an advocate for educating families, and becoming truly passionate about saving dogs lives.
I received my certification as a dog trainer at the beginning of 2012.
But I wasn’t satisfied.
Wanting to hone my skills further, I began attending seminars and doing close work with the shelter. I worked with my training mentors Jeannie Oakley and Gina Kline from Paw it Forward, and taught classes along side them. They were a blessing of help and belived in me when others didnt. I did private in home sessions, as well as assisted in daycare and boarding.
I began making up plans to start my own business.
It was on one amazing weekend in June of 2013 that I was able to meet Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training at a local seminar. I had followed Jeff for years but to finally meet him was inspiring and like a dream come true. He helped me with my problem areas, and I even followed up to take the five-hour drive to one of his famous reactive-dog pack walks in Rhode Island.
Jeff ended up inviting me afterward to his award winning board and train with Shumani.
The experience has since changed my life.
Since then I have really found the inspiration to keep going and make my dream a reality.
I learned from everyone what I now pass on to my clients:
"Who your dog is today, does not have to be who he is tomorrow".
Raised in rural Duanesburg New York, I was fortunate to have a very pet friendly household from the big to the small. Growing up, I spent most of my time in the woods with my dogs, as well as much of my childhood studying wildlife. I had always been fascinated with animal behavior, and loved to observe them as a living being deep down.
When I turned thirteen-years-old, I adopted a 8 week old German Shepherd puppy, Shumani. It was then that I realized what it was to be a pet owner, and the importance of training and leadership. Like many of my clients, my approach to my dog was showered in constant affection and spoiled quite regularly, I bribed her for treats, allowed her to do as she pleased to the point where she didn't come when called and got struck by a car, almost losing her life.
Shumani became fearful and reactive to people due to lack of socializing, and began lunging and attempting to bite other dogs. I began researching training methods, from blogs to articles, to books. I began using my dog as the subject of what worked, and what didn't. It wasn't long until I was getting compliments on my dogs behavior, and became a infamous celebrity for being the girl who took her dog around town next to her bike.
With a balanced training system, I was able to maintain my dogs calm state of mind in high distraction areas and triggers. I was able to take her with me everywhere I went, and include her in every aspect of my life. She became more than just my pet or my dog - but my partner and ever constant companion on a deeper level.
This is where my goal began forming on how we could extend a bridge to that human-animal bond. As people began to ask me to work with their dogs, I looked more online as to what my options where.
In the summer of 2011, I applied to Animal Behavioral College. During this time I volunteered for Montgomery County SPCA which was a part of the program, training and working with their dogs. It was in this incident that I truly became an advocate for educating families, and becoming truly passionate about saving dogs lives.
I received my certification as a dog trainer at the beginning of 2012.
But I wasn’t satisfied.
Wanting to hone my skills further, I began attending seminars and doing close work with the shelter. I worked with my training mentors Jeannie Oakley and Gina Kline from Paw it Forward, and taught classes along side them. They were a blessing of help and belived in me when others didnt. I did private in home sessions, as well as assisted in daycare and boarding.
I began making up plans to start my own business.
It was on one amazing weekend in June of 2013 that I was able to meet Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training at a local seminar. I had followed Jeff for years but to finally meet him was inspiring and like a dream come true. He helped me with my problem areas, and I even followed up to take the five-hour drive to one of his famous reactive-dog pack walks in Rhode Island.
Jeff ended up inviting me afterward to his award winning board and train with Shumani.
The experience has since changed my life.
Since then I have really found the inspiration to keep going and make my dream a reality.
I learned from everyone what I now pass on to my clients:
"Who your dog is today, does not have to be who he is tomorrow".
-- Rhode Island Pack Walk 7-21-13
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