About Erin

"Smile, laugh, and Just SAY YES to SOME EXERCISE!! Walk, Run, Play, Dance with your dog!You'll both feel better, you'll see."

ATTN: To those of you who can't do this with your dog because of behavior problems...you need help pronto! By the way...we have options for you if you can't afford private training while the economy is "ruff". Just ask!

Female 30 years old PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island United States Last My Space Login: 3/24/2009 Mood: blissful MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/erinthedogtrainer

Some of Erin The Animal Trainer's Biography...

Since its inception in October of 2005, Erin Cooney-Lefort, owner of Community Canines, has observed major problems in the pet training industry. She has seen many pet businesses in RI open and close in just a few years, witnessed fellow trainers shamelessly mis-representing their professional and educational qualifications in a competitive market, and heard too many horror stories about quick-fix trainers from the mouths of her students. In her practice, Erin has worked closely with companion animals as they unlearn fears that are a product of the harsh use of punishment in careless training (i.e. abuse of electronic shock collars, prong collars, and sudden unpleasant sounds), and "untied" learning histories of dogs and their guardians who were instructed to praise and reward their dog with food at the wrong times.

While Erin is excited to be a part of the pet training industry at a time of rapid change in popular teaching philosophy toward reward based dog training methods (i.e. clicker training), Erin is dedicated to the continued pursuit of her own education in the science of learning and the art of teaching.

Erin serves as a consulting behavioral scientist on the board of directors for New England Primate Sanctuary, and is thrilled to be a part of their education team, creating curriculum meaningful for school districts' goals, teaching the humane treatment of monkeys: both in the wild and in captivity. Erin, in research and clinical endeavors is interested in: improving the welfare of animals, advocating for the benefits of the human-animal bond, delivering state of the art humane education programs for youth, teaching conservation, and how work with animals can support the endeavors of peace psychology. More info: http://www.neprimatesanctuary.org/aboutus_education_team.html

Erin received her BA in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 2005, and is the only pet professional in RI who has received formal education in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Currently, Erin is getting ready to graduate with her Master's of Science Degree in Behavioral Education at Simmons College in Boston, MA, located just a bicycle ride away from the former home and office of the honorary B.F. Skinner!

Erin is among the first of less than 15 international behavioral scientists preparing for the credential of Board Certified Behavior Analyst with an animal specialty.