Teresa has had a lifelong interest in animal behavior. While other kids were riding their bikes and playing hopscotch Teresa was training dogs and horses. She has over 20 years experience in the field of animal behavior and training. Teresa has attended many lectures, seminars and university courses and was mentored through her education by Dr Ed Bailey, noted Canadian animal behaviorist. She has trained puppies, pet dogs, tracking dogs, protection dogs and service dogs. In her consulting practice Teresa specializes in rehabilitating problem dogs, particularly those with aggression and anxiety issues. Her approach with these cases is to identify the root cause of the problem and then to apply a behavior modification plan that addresses the emotional state of the dog. Positive reinforcement is used in these cases and in all Teresa’s training. Dogs learn to be less fearful, anxious and/or aggressive and become happier, safer family members. Teresa’s interest and understanding of dog behavior and her work with aggressive dogs led her to begin volunteer dog bite prevention seminars for children. These were designed to empower children to make safer choices in their interactions with dogs by giving them insight into the signals that dogs send using body language. Teresa has been a guest lecturer at several colleges and at the University of Guelph and her articles have appeared in the CAPPDT and ADPT newsletters.
Teresa is co-inventor, along with scientist Joan Orr, of the bite prevention board game Doggone Crazy! This game provides a fun and interactive way for children to learn about dog communication and how to act safely around dogs that will hopefully take the bite prevention message to many children and families.
Teresa is a pioneer in the field of rabbit clicker training and uses positive reinforcement techniques to modify bunny behaviour so that rescued bunnies can be more adoptable. She has co-authored a feature article for the 2005 issue of Rabbits USA on the topic of Rabbit clicker training and is co-author of a book on the same subject to be released in the spring of 2005 - Getting Started: Clicker Training Your Small Pet.
