When I entered, the field of professional dog training in 2001 that evolved into an interest in studying dog behavior I had been just like many a passive owner of dogs. However, it was always important that my dogs behave! During my professional education in dogs and subsequent application process, I have often reflected back on the many dogs I owned and my relationship with them. I realized my dogs were well behaved and social and when I had a behavior problem, I called in a professional. The only dog I needed help with was Benson, a Toy Poodle. Buffy, my Miniature Poodle was perfect from the beginning. Once Benson received some behavior modification, he and Buffy became two of the best-behaved dogs I ever owned. Those two dogs accompanied me every day to our flooring store I co-owned with my former husband. I can’t think of any time those dogs presented me with a problem while being in the store sometimes for very long hours; it’s amazing what good socialization provides for the on-going welfare of a dog’s life. They both lived long happy and healthy lives that I attribute to a behaviorally healthy and stress free environment.
I mentioned co-owning a flooring store; actually, we owned three different locations during 10 years. These stores generated between 3 – 5 million gross annual sales during our ownership. Ranked as the largest flooring store by volume in the Southeast; we were a million dollar vendor for Shaw Industries and subsidiary Philadelphia Carpets.
I achieved my background in accounting and office management beginning as purchasing secretary at Aerosonic Corporation in Clearwater Florida. I quickly moved through the ranks rising to the purchasing department head, overseeing the receiving department and as buyer responsible for purchasing the most expensive and intricate components used in manufacturing aircraft instruments. I reported to the J. Mervyn Nabors then vice president later becoming the companies CEO. I credit much of my business acumen to these early years working with Mr. Nabors. He later invested in the startup of our first flooring company dba Kesling Carpets, a Division of Old Mill Industries Incorporated owning 50%.
Prior to business ownership, I left Aerosonic to work for United Technologies Automotive Division located in Tampa Florida. Again, I was fortunate to work for a wonderful man William “Bill” Shaw who was the Director of Purchasing. We manufactured electronic modules for the automotive industry. We were responsible for placing million dollar contracts with companies like Motorola, GE, Intel and many other large electronic companies. This was a demanding position tied to the American automotive industry. At that time, we had contracts with Ford Motor Company, Delco, AMC and others. One of the most notable parts we developed was the keyless entry system a first of its kind and a Ford Product.
During these years, I attended college often interrupted by a demanding work schedule leaving me exhausted at the end of the day. Putting so much energy into being the best I could at my job, I had little energy left for night classes! I managed over the years to complete 82 college credits with a wide variety of interests, including interior design and architectural classes, photography, psychology, and of course business and accounting classes.
In 2001, I began what has turned into quite a history of study providing me a broad education in dogs. This education has included not only in-depth study in dog behavior based on the dog ethogram, but also included completion of college level courses in learning theory, its application in problem solving, the domestication and evolution of dogs, dog communication, and their senses. I also recognize and use different training methodologies suiting the context in which they are applicable and useful. I also understand when breed differences may be applicable during training taking into consideration their environment and how your dog’s behavior affects the bond using an ethological perspective. In addition, my studies include dog welfare issues often applicable to breeding and dog care all issues that bear on the success or demise of dogs, as we know them.
In addition, I had the pleasure of becoming the owner in 2001 of a wonderful male Doberman I renamed Josef who came to me at 42 months old with a history of dog aggression and at the beginning of my dog-training career! This relationship presented me with a huge training responsibility but one many owners deal with everyday, dogs who lack sufficient socialization with their own species. There is nothing more troubling than dogs who haven’t had sufficient opportunity to learn social skills from other dogs. However, even the socialization process requires careful and thought out considerations often times needing intervention requiring the knowledge and skill of someone with a broad understanding of dog behavior.
Josef passed away on June 1, 2008 but his memory will remain as one of the best dog-human relationships I ever developed and because of him, I remain fascinated with studying dog behavior. He taught me so much about the meaning of training a challenging dog and realizing the rewards when one is successful.