Canine Studies Program Testimonials

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"I have just finished the Canine Studies Program with Cristine Dahl and I have to say it is one of the best things I've ever done.  Trying to learn about dog training and formulate your own ideas and strategies can be difficult especially with all the differing opinions and books out there.  Cristine's focus on how dogs learn gave me a foundation to be able to approach any dog problem and her emphasis on getting away from trying to determine what a dog is thinking and instead train by observable behavior has totally simplified my style of training as well as helping me to understand what I'm seeing in a whole new way.  Cristine took a difficult subject and made it fun and less overwhelming, she was always ready to answer questions and provided lots of real life examples to make it easier to understand.  I would recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about dog training as a career or who just wants to understand their dog better!!"  Jennifer C., 2007

Cristine Dahl's Canine Studies program is a must! She is uniquely qualified with her extensive knowledge and is an inspiration to all in the industry.  Her passion for animals and enhancing their lives is clear from the moment you meet her. Whether you have a long history of working with dogs or are just entering the field Cristine’s program will allow you to build a strong foundation of knowledge based on scientific data and animal learning theory. Through a rigorous, yet captivating, curriculum she leaves you with the skills to go out and make a difference in the world! Her candid approach arms you with the information to intelligently educate the public and in the end teach people a more sound and effective way to build a lasting relationship with their canine companion! As a bonus to the program you will meet amazing like-minded people that will continue to inspire you throughout your journey of working with animals!   Don’t miss the chance to take this class!!  ~Jaycee B., 2007

Fascinating, enlightening, exciting and challenging – the Canine Studies Program 2007 taught by Cristine Dahl of Seattle Dogworks was an awesome experience.  History, animal learning theory, behavior problems and modification – these are just a few of the topics that were completely new to me – though I’ve been involved with dogs & dog training for over 15 years.   Cristine has a gift for teaching – the classes were fun, and the time just flew by.  The work was challenging – the exam was tough, but fair.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in this program, and recommend it to all who love dogs! Sue F., 2007

I have attended many seminars and other courses related to dog behavior and geared towards becoming a trainer and I finally found what I was looking for in Cristine's Canine Studies Program. Cristine's course is the next level! Be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and have fun with Cristine's no-nonsense yet always humorous approach to understanding what makes canines and humans tick in the ever-growing field of dog training and everyday living. Cristine is creating a new breed of trainers that think on their feet, are well-versed in the scientific principles of animal-learning theory, and always keeping in mind that each dog and human deserves respect, understanding, and a trainer who can discern between the facts and myths of dog behavior in order to best serve their individual needs. Cristine expects a lot from her students because she gives a lot. The result is a graduating class of the highest caliber. Because the class size is small, it supported me to grow a lot as a student, and Cristine always made herself available to help us in any way she could. Additionally, our class grew to know and genuinely bond with each other in an atmosphere that promoted trust, openness, and a strong passion for learning about all the facets of canine behavior. I cannot say enough good things about Cristine and her Canine Studies Program. There is nothing else like this in all of Seattle, and I know I'm a better trainer because of it. Sandra G.P., 2007

The Canine Studies Program was a great experience. Throughout the program I learned a lot about canine behavior and animal learning theory. Cristine is an excellent teacher and she knows how to provide information in a fun way. Her professionalism and knowledge about dogs is superb. I would love to take more classes from her and hope to keep in touch with her and all the great people I have met in this class. Anna B., 2007

When thinking of taking the class, I figured the class would be a good refresher on how to understand dogs. Wow, were my eyes opened. Cristine's class unleashed a whole new way of thinking about dogs and how we relate with them. Before the class, I felt confident in my canine knowledge, little did I know a whole new world would be opened up. I found this class to be interesting, insightful, and has me longing for more. I also found my fellow classmates to be of great support during the class and for the future. I recommend this class for anyone interested in learning about canine behavior and how we've gotten to where we are today with our canine co-pilots. Kelli W., 2007

From the history of dog training to the science that explains Animal Behavior, Cristine  Dahl conducts a journey filled with knowledge, laughter and awe. Her poised understanding of the rich subject area allows her to range freely, and whether she is making a point using poetic metaphor or she is listing the concise facts of established science, the course of study is always rigorous yet uniquely personable.~ Linda McVay, 2006

Cristine Dahl's greatest skill lies not in her knowledge (which is extensive!) of dog behavior and animal learning theory, but in her ability to convey that knowledge to students.  She makes frequent use of interactive exercises that help students master the material.  She expects her students to go beyond just memorizing facts and into thinking critically about the science.  To that end, she fills her lectures with questions that challenge her students to take what they've learned and apply it to a variety of circumstances.  Ever adaptable, she modifies her presentations to focus on the areas where students need the most support.  While she expects much effort from her students, she gives back twice that amount. Her teaching style is both gentle and entertaining, and she is quick to acknowledge success and improvement in her students.   I would highly recommend this program for anyone who is serious about learning the science behind animal training and understanding the most effective ways that dogs learn.~ Lyndsay Newton

The Seattle Dogworks Canine Studies Program has been such an amazing experience!  I feel so fortunate to have met Cristine and to have become involved in the program.  Not only have I learned an incredible amount of information related to canine behavior and training but I’ve met some truly wonderful people as well.  Cristine’s methods are firmly rooted in learning theory and they’re science based.  There is no anecdotal or symptomatic reasoning here.  Instead, we focus on the cause of a behavior and it's clear that this approach fosters a much healthier and happier human/dog relationship.  Cristine is a wonderful teacher with a ton of enthusiasm and a great sense of humor.  She really makes the classes interesting and fun…as if this topic weren’t fascinating enough already!  Thanks to everything I’ve learned in the program, I now feel like I have a very strong foundation in canine behavior and training.  I’m really looking forward to continuing my education in this field!  ~ Heather Lauer

Cristine (Dahl) offers her vast knowledge to anyone truly interested in making a difference in the field of canine training. Her experience and techniques are at the forefront of animal learning theory and behavior and she backs it up with sound scientific data. The results are the hundreds of puppies and adult dogs – and their owners – who are better adapted to a successful and happy life together and in their communities.   The program is intense and demanding of time and energy. It is for the serious student who wants to forge ahead and apply themselves in the field of dog training with a sound background in canine behavior emphasizing humane teaching techniques. Cristine's respect for both dogs and their owners is apparent as soon as you meet her. I was immediately drawn in by her positive energy and enthusiasm. The program teaches a thorough curriculum in canine behavior and its applications and has laid the groundwork for what I hope is a long and successful career. ~ Gari Weinraub

Cristine Dahl’s ability to employ her exceptional in-depth animal behavior knowledge, passion for dogs and brilliant inter-personal communication skills makes her Canine Studies program not only informative and engaging, but entertaining to the last word.  The caliber of  knowledge provided in this program combined with Cristine’s personality have made this experience invaluable.  Thank you, Cristine for staying on the ‘cutting edge’ of dog behavior studies and sharing your knowledge with us! ~Cristine L.

Thank you so much for offering this program!  I would absolutely recommend it to my dog-loving friends.  I have learned so much about dog behavior and learning - and it has only sparked my interest to learn more.  It is clear from Cristine's teaching that she has extensive experience with dogs - and she brings that experience, together with her love of dogs and commitment to fostering a strong dog-human bond, to class everyday.  Her teaching style is both dynamic and engaging, and helps to develop a strong and supportive learning community. ~ Erin Daniels

 

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