Shannan Hall-Nutting, BS, ABCDT       Owner/Instructor, Finish Forward Dogs

Shannan is a Certified Dog Trainer, CGC/STAR Puppy Evaluator, APDT Rally-Obedience Representative and graduate of The University of New England where she received her B.S. in psychobiology and education in the cause, function, development & evolution of animal behavior. Shannan and her husband founded Finish Forward Dogs, Inc in 2009.

Growing up in midcoast Maine, Shannan lived with Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Goldens, Labs and an Alaskan Malamute. It was Shannan's undergraduate research that led her to the field of animal welfare. Several years later she worked as Co-Manager for an emergency animal shelter temporarily constructed to house over 300 dogs seized from Maine puppy mills. Shannan remains an advocate for humane education, working as a consultant for the ASPCA and teaching obedience classes at The Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick.

Shannan made her way to dog training after acquiring her American Staffordshire Terror (sorry, Terrier), Brina, who she credits with teaching her the most valuable life lessons.

"It's amazing what you learn about yourself as a human when all you really set out to do is learn a bit about a poorly behaving little dog...Brina and I began training in obedience and agility and any other dog sport we could find. Now more than seven years later, I owe great thanks to my own dog, Brina, for teaching me the value in quiet patience, clear communication, consistent leadership and a very healthy sense of humor. I would not trade the challenges Brina and I faced at the beginning of our relationship for anything in the world because it's always the struggle that makes us stronger. She's just a dog, but she's my 'heart' dog."

Shannan apprenticed under Kimberly VanSickle and Amy Allenwood, both CPDT's at The Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, Maine before moving on to teaching obedience at a large dog training facility in Portland. It was there that Shannan worked alongside Teri Robinson, CPDT before assuming the position of Director of Training where she taught up to 15 classes a week and directed a team of three additional trainers.  

Now living in Southern Maine, Shannan and her husband share their home with their three active dogs (ARCH Brina CGC, RL1X, RL2X, RN, TT, RL3, Maverick RL1 & Deucey-B TT). Sadly,  May of 2010 marked the loss of their 8 year old shepherd mix, Tucker TT, after his battle with Mast Cell Disease. Sleep soundly, sweet Tuckey.

Shannan and her dogs enjoy competition dog sports and spend their free time training and trialing in Competitive Obedience, Rally-O, Agility, Weight Pull, DockDogs, Tracking and various other activities. 

Professional credentials: B.S. Psychobiology, University of New England, Cum Laude; Honors Graduate and Mentor Trainer, Animal Behavior College; AKC CGC/STAR Puppy Evaluator; APDT Rally-O Representative, American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) Apprentice Tester.

Penny J. Cary

PETIQUETTE® Canine Education

Although she has owned and trained dogs most of her life, Penny Cary has been breeding and handling her own Doberman Pinschers to championships since 1993, she has also shown other select breeds for select clients for several years, finishing multiple champions.  As a breeder/owner/handler, she has multiple Best in Shows, Best Puppy in Shows, Best Bred By Exhibitor in Shows and Best Veteran in Shows to her credit.

Penny owns and operates PETIQUETTE® Canine Education and offers courses in conformation handling, specializing in training techniques to instill confidence and build foundation skills for all venues of exhibition. She specializes in puppy socialization and training. Many of her students have successfully finished their own dogs against strong professional competition.

She is a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She is also a certified evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Contact Penny at: sasanoa04072@gmail.com

Danielle Cyr, B.S.

Danielle has been training/working with dogs for the past 6 years.  She graduated from the University of Maine in 2003, with a Bachelors in Animal Science.  She’s a Veterinary Technician full time and a hobby trainer part time. Danielle is an AKC CGC/Star Puppy evaluator and Apprentice Tester with the ATTS.

After her first dog, Tigress, a seperation anxiety case that would send anyone running, Danielle began getting involved in obedience and seminars on anxiety.  Since then, and several dogs later, she has attended workshops on Shy Dogs, Problem Solving, and Protection Sports as well.  Her home pack consisting of Ryder, Panser (APBTs) and Isabella (Boxer) is active in street wise training, and a few competitive sports.  In addition to the pack, she usually has at least one addition in for training or looking for a new home through Recycle-A-Bull Kennels, her small home run rescue.

Between volunteering at CanAm sled dog races and titling dogs in UKC weight pull, she has also entered her shy dog earned their AKC CGC and ATTS TT.  Danielle has participated and demonstrated in local Bite Prevention demonstrations, as well as worked the basics in bite work and sports such as Personal Protection and French Ring.  She has attempted to try everything she can, and in turn it has taught her many tecniques in problem solving training and bonding with her dogs.  It helps her communicate to her clients the importance of having fun with your dog while teaching them a job.  The best thing she could have done was adopted dog after puppy after dog, that no one else wanted!

Danielle is working towards becoming a certified pet dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and hopes to complete her certification this fall.

Diana Logan, CPDT-KA

Diana Logan, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) of Pet Connection Dog Training in North Yarmouth, is a perpetual "Student of Dog." She thoroughly enjoys working with dogs and their humans and has a particular interest in teaching tricks. Diana enjoys being creative in finding ways to motivate dogs. She incorporates games and props and fun into her classes.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Deer Isle-Stonington High School in Downeast Maine, Diana studied Equine Science at Lake Erie College in Ohio but switched majors and colleges and graduated with a BA with Honors in Language and Culture from SUNY Purchase. She speaks fluent French, some Spanish and a dollop of several other languages.

"There is little difference between learning a foreign language and learning how to communicate with dogs. Communication is a two-way street and we need to practice careful observation and be able to see the world from our dogs' perspective in order to truly relate to them. If we can achieve this, the relationships and lives we share with our dogs will be healthy and mutually rewarding. We all need to learn to 'speak dog' - our dogs mustn't have the full responsibility of figuring out how to 'speak human.'"

Dory, Diana's Standard Poodle, still performs beautifully in agility and continues to collect blue ribbons as a "geriatric" canine. Tricks had always been a passion and Dory can perform many of the usual ones (bow, spin, crawl) as well as the unusual (wagging her tail on cue, opening her mouth in mimic-fashion, operating the salad spinner and the 3-hole punch, playing the piano, pickpocketing, etc.). In 2009, Astro, a Standard Parti Poodle, joined the Logan household. He started learning complex behaviors from the moment he stepped into his new home at 9 weeks and his repertoire is continually expanding. The two Logan dogs are learning some "cooperative" tricks, too, and the latest is one where Dory covers Astro's eyes with her paw.

Cindy Ratner

Cindy instructs agility at the studio. She has had dogs since birth and has been training and competing with her dogs since the 1980’s. Her training emphasizes relationship, communication, and foundation.  She is known for being very clear and motivational with her instruction and for holding classes that are relaxed, yet challenging.  Her goal is to provide flexible instruction so as to meet the needs of the hobbyist as well as those of the serious competitor.

Cindy has lived with and/or trained dogs from every group, including mix-breeds and rescues.  Her dogs have competed in and hold numerous titles in agility and obedience, have dabbled in herding and conformation, have modeled for print ads, and television commercials and have done therapy work. Her dogs have had several national and regional top ten rankings in multiple sports.  Her Shetland Sheepdog, Shane, has not only earned the coveted ADCh or Agility Dog Champion title, but was on the podium at the 2005 USDAA National Championships placing 3rd in the Veteran’s Grand Prix at the age of 13.  She currently competes in agility with her two Border Collie, BAM!, her first terrier, Jonesy,  and is training her new Sheltie, Zep.

Cindy was bitten (pun intended) by the training bug while spending childhood summers hanging around her aunt’s obedience school.  She has been an instructor since the late 1980’s when she taught both pet and competition obedience for Vacationland Obedience Training Club.  She has conducted therapy groups for special-needs individuals with dog phobias and designed a self-awareness program for at-risk teens using dog behavior, training, and husbandry as a model.  She currently teaches agility classes and seminars and offers private instruction in agility, pet obedience, and does behavioral consultations.

Cindy lives in Cape Elizabeth with her husband, Jim, her son, Eli (when he is not away at college) and her daughter, Delaney, who is also an accomplished agility competitor.  They share their home with 5 dogs and one very tolerant kitty, Mabel.

You can reach Cindy at cinzep@maine.rr.com.

Jessica Robichaud, B.A., CPDT-KA

Jessica Robichaud is a Knowledge Assessed Certified Professional Dog Trainer and CGC Evaluator.  Mrs. Robichaud holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism/Communications from the University of Hartford.

After holding various positions in corporate America, she decided to pursue her passion for working with dogs.  Upon completing her training at a national retail chain, she began teaching puppy and beginner training classes in New Jersey.  Ultimately, she became the senior trainer, teaching up to 12 group classes per week and conducting private lessons for dogs with specific behavioral needs.

Jessica continued her education while working as an assistant volunteer trainer at one of the of most influential training schools in the country, St. Hubert’s Dog Training School in Madison, New Jersey.  While there she worked with senior trainers assisting them in their well known reactive dog class “Feisty Fidos”, in addition to puppy and basic classes. 

She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and attends numerous seminars each year.   She enjoys volunteering for Boxer Angels Rescue, doing pet therapy work and participating in Rally Obedience.  Mrs. Robichaud resides in Biddeford with her husband, baby daughter Olivia, and three dogs, Bean (CGC/TDI, RN, RL1) a Boston Terrier, Layla (TT, RN) a Boxer and Lucas, a one year old Shetland Sheepdog.

“The most essential building block to creating life long trust in your canine companion is developing a relationship that is built on mutual respect,” states Jessica. 

Committed to the use of positive reinforcement techniques and behavior modification, Jessica provides practical solutions to help owners better communicate with their dogs.
 

Meredith (Merri) Chaffee B.S, CPDT-KA

Merri graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of New England. Her background is in animal behavior and in addition to teaching dog obedience classes, she currently works as a Veterinary Assistant at Poland Animal Hospital.

Upon completion of her Undergraduate program, Merri was employed as a Beluga Whale Trainer at The Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in Connecticut. While at the aquarium, Merri had the responsibility of maintaining trained behaviors while also teaching the whales new behaviors. In 2009, Merri and her fiancé moved to Portland where she is now applying her knowledge of positive reinforcement and clicker training to dogs.

Merri grew up having a dog at home, living with both a German Shepherd mix, Pixie, and a Shepherd/Great Dane mix. Merri and her fiancé recently found their 'perfect puppy', Meka, a mixed breed dog adopted through Lucky Pup Rescue of Kennebunkport. With her eye on the competition ring, Merri is preparing for a career in dog sports to strengthen the bond she shares with her dog and to challenge her training skills in many new and interesting ways.

Merri thoroughly enjoys helping people form lasting bonds with their dogs through communication and management. She is commited to furthering her career and education in dog training. Merri received her dog training certification through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA). 

Seminars Attended

May 2010 - Intro to K9 Nose Work: Scott Williams, Certified Nose Work Instructor/Charter Member National Association of Canine Scent Work. 

January 2010 Analyze This! - Assessing and analyzing the causes and consequences of behavior: Terri Bright, Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, became the first student to earn a Master’s of Science degree at Simmons College in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with an animal specialty.

November 2009 Self-Control Games: Dee Ganley, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Pet Dog Trainer with 35 years of experience. 

June 2009 Dog-Dog Aggression: Patricia McConnell, Ph.D, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist with over 30 years experience.

March 2009 On Leash Reactivity in Dogs: Sarah Kalnajs, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Pet Dog Trainer

February 2009 Canine Body Languageand Contextual Meanings Seminar: Sarah Kalnajs, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Pet Dog Trainer

August 2008 Lug-Nuts TM - Promoting Safe & Humane Sports for Dogs & People: Sue Sternburg & Jane Kopelman Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption

July 2008 Debunking the Dominance Myth: Jean Donaldson Author of many books, including #1 best seller "Culture Clash"

June 2008 Judging the Innocent Pit Bull Awareness: Drayton Michaels, CPDT.

May 2008 APDT Rally Obedience Sanctioned Seminar: Kimberly Giese-Wilson CABC, CPDT, APDT Rally Judge & Representative, Owner K9crazyplayskool

March 2008 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders: Dr. Nicholas Dodman, world-renowned Veterinary Behaviorist.

 Danielle at the Can-Am Crown, International Sled Dog Race

Local and national training conferences have taken Diana to Providence, Atlanta, Louisville, San Francisco and both Portlands, where world leaders in the fields of animal behavior, training, genetics, neurology, veterinary science and more have shared their cutting-edge knowledge and expertise. Additionally, the 1000+ attendees at the national annual conferences offer countless opportunities for networking and sharing ideas and insights. Diana continues to take local classes with her dogs to expand her knowledge and keep her dogs learning, too.

Jessica performing a canine freestyle routine with her Boston Terrier, Bean at the Biddeford Art Walk.

Seminars Attended

October 2009 - Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference Oakland/San Francisco, California 

July 2009 - Working with Shy and Sensitive Dogs – Sarah Wilson

June 2009 - Patricia McConnell – Dog to Dog Aggression   

May 2009 - Think Dog Seminar – Victoria Stilwell 

March 2009 - Clicker Expo
Providence, RI

October 2008 - Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference 2008
Louisville, Kentucky

Click HERE to view Jessica's complete profile.

You can contact Jessica at jessica@thecapablecanine.com 

Merri working with the Beluga Whales at Mystique Aquarium & Institute for Exploration in CT.