Denise R. Mazzola, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Knowledge Assessed

 

Denise has been in the dog training profession since 1986.  During the late 1980's dog training was still far behind the science of animal behavior and conditioning. The use of aversive chokers and prong collars was standard. Denise learned dog training using these methods and achieved the AKC obedience title of CDX, Companion Dog Excellent, with her Samoyed, Alex.

Beginning in 1995 she began raising and training Service Dogs for Canine Working Companions, located in New York.  Service Dogs are specially trained dogs who work with the physically disabled. Working with Service Dogs led Denise to positive reinforcement methods of dog training using operant conditioning, classical conditioning and the use of the clicker.  The possibilities seemed endless with the new knowledge.

Denise is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She was one of the first 500 people in the United States to earn the distinction of being a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, tested through the APDT. The APDT requires recertification every 3 years with a minimum of 30 continuing education hours.

Denise is a full believer in the science and art of positive reinforcement training, using the science of B.F. Skinner and Pavlov. Sea World has made millions of dollars with its marine mammal shows, all of which were taught using the very science and methods that Denise uses and teaches her clients.

"If they can teach a Killer Whale to open his mouth for dental work, we as dog trainers and owners can teach our dogs to accept and enjoy nail clipping."

Denise's goal is to teach clients the best way to communicate with their dog. Once owners understand how to communicate they can teach their dog any behavior they need as well as solve some basic behavior problems.

Denise shares her home with three daughters and two canine friends. Thor is a 9-year-old yellow lab who was released from the service dog program because of a sound sensitivity. Vesta, which means Goddess of the Hearth, is a 6-year-old Boston Terrier who was adopted from a shelter.

 

Achievements:

CAP is a Clicker Trainers Competency Assessment Program developed by Kay Laurence of England, a renowned clicker trainer. 

• CAP 1 with distinction
  
• CAP 2 with distinction.

 APDT Rally Obedience

Denise and Thor have achieved the following Rally O titles:

• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3 
  
• Veterns
  

Denise is an official Delta Society Pet Partner Evaluator.

Denise is an offical AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Visit the Services page for more information.

APDT Annual 5-Day Conference 2009

Tellington Touch 2009

Clicker Expo 2009 

Teaching a Growly Dog Class, San Francisco SPCA

Jean Donaldson, Operant and Classical Conditioning 2-Day workshop.

Counseling Certification 6 day class, San Francisco SPCA

APDT Annual 5-Day Conference 2007 

New England Federation of Humane Society's Annual meeting and Training Conference

Clicker Expo 2006

Terry Ryan, Recharging the Canine Classroom and Modifying Unwanted Behaviors.

Biting Dog Conference

Brenda Aloff:  Aggression in Dogs, 2-Day Seminar

Jean Donaldson: Canine Play and Aggression

Trish King, From Pups to Problems

APDT Annual 5-Day Conference 2003

Ted Turner: Understanding Aggression and the Problem Dog: Working with Serious Behavior Problems.

Advanced Instructor Training Course, 6-Day Class.

Dr. Ian Dunbar's Doggy Behavior and Training Course

Dog Behavior in the Animal Shelter.

 

 

 Denise can be reached at:

603-499-6207

denise@denisemazzola.com

PO Box 1666

 Keene, NH 03431