I am based in La Crosse, Wisconsin and serve the surrounding Wisconsin, Minnesota & Iowa communities with a 50-60 mile radius. La Crosse County (e.g., La Crosse, Onalaska, West Salem, Holmen), Jackson County (e.g., Mindoro, Melrose), Buffalo County (e.g., Alma, Fountain City), Monroe County (e.g., Sparta, Tomah, Warrens, Cashton), Trempealeau County (e.g., Trempealeau, Galesville, Whitehall), Vernon County (e.g., Stoddard, Viroqua, Westby), Winona County (e.g., Winona), Houston County (e.g., Houston, Hokah, Caledonia). I serve clients all over the country with virtual training sessions.
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Prior to entering the world of dog training, I received two Bachelor of Science degrees (Biology and Animal Science) and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Montana State University. For over 20 years, I taught human anatomy and physiology at the university level. My dog training experience includes teaching in-person and virtual group classes and private in-home and virtual lessons for dogs and puppies in basic manners (obedience), aggression and reactivity. I specialize in helping dogs who exhibit fearful, anxious and aggressive behaviors. As a certified professional trainer, I pride myself in continually expanding my knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques through attaining certifications, attending workshops and conferences, reading the latest literature and networking with colleagues to remain on the cutting edge of the science of dog behavior and learning. Animal welfare has always been a passion of mine. I have fostered dogs, driven and coordinated rescue transports and volunteered at shelters and rescues. I currently offer free consultations to rescues and shelters and am a participating trainer in the Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers, where I donate training sessions to help rescue dogs who are experiencing behavioral issues.Born and raised in Montana with a menagerie of different animals, I have lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin for over 25 years. My husband and I have two grown daughters and share our home with four dogs (all of whom help out with virtual sessions and video demonstrations) and two chickens.Education Master of Science РBiology, Montana State University Bachelor of Science РBiology, Montana State University Bachelor of Science РAnimal Science, Montana State UniversityCertifications and Credentials Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC-ADT) Licensed L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediator® (LFDM) Aggression in Dog Master Course certificate Enrichment Framework for Behavior Modification Master Class Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP) PPG Canine Training Professional Certified Dog Bite Prevention Educator Licensed Be A Tree® Program Presenter HART Participating Trainer Atlas Assistance Dogs Team Facilitator in trainingProfessional Affiliations Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Fear Free Pets Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Humane Alliance of Rescue Trainers (HART) Pet Industry Advocacy Innternational (PIAI) Atlas Assistance Dogs
Certifications:
M.S., CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, LFDM-T, LFDM-L
Dog training services include
Aggressive dog training
Deaf dog training
Reactive dog training
In home training
Puppy training
More info about Kerrie Hoar's dog training:
I work with clients in private, in-home sessions or through private virtual sessions and specialize in working with fearful dogs. I provide both coaching sessions (working with dog and guardian for all sessions) and in-home day training (where I work with the dog in the client's home and then hold weekly transfer sessions with the client to coach the guardian in the skills that we have been working on).
As a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, I work through the lens of Family Dog Mediation and the L.E.G.S.® framework. Rather than concentrating solely on obedience, I focus on helping clients build relationships with their dogs that are based in trust and understanding. FDMs look at how the whole dog & all of his experiences and genetics have come together to create the dog that is sitting in front of us. We use realistic goal setting, management protocols and, when necessary, teach new behaviors to create a situation that will meet both the client's goals and the dog's needs.
I offer coaching and training in the following areas:
- Fearful Dogs - especially those dogs who are performing aggressive behaviors (barking, lunging, biting) or no behaviors at all (shut down).
- Puppy training - house training, crate training, basic manners (sit, down, come, stay), and behavioral issues with chewing, mouthing and other common puppy behaviors.
- General Dog training - basic manners (sit, down, come, stay) and behavioral issues such as leash reactivity (barking, lunging), resource guarding, fence fighting, counter surfing, muzzle acclimation, cooperative care and husbandry
- I also work with clients who are working towards Canine Good Citizens, Therapy, Emotional Support or Service Dog in mastering the basic skills necessary.
Behavioral issue focus:
I specialize in working with dogs who are expressing aggressive, fearful or reactive behaviors such as;
- biting, barking, lunging in the home or on leash
- hiding or freezing
- resource guarding
- adverse reactions to strange people and dogs
- pulling on leash
- counter surfing
- issues between multiple dogs in a home
- fearful of new people, places and things
- fear or aggressive behaviors during handling, grooming and husbandry
- house training
- crate training
- muzzle, leash, collar acclimation
- not coming when called
- bolting out doors
- barrier aggression - fence fighting, growling in crates, etc.
Dog training methods:
I work through the lens of Family Dog Mediation. Rather than concentrating solely on obedience, I focus on helping clients build relationships with their dogs that are based in trust and understanding. I look at how L.E.G.S.® (the "whole" dog) have come together to create the dog sitting in front of us and then use realistic goal setting, management and enrichment protocols and, when necessary, teach new behaviors, or modify maladaptive behaviors, to create a situation that will meet both the client's goals and the dog's needs.
I am a rewards-based trainer and follow LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) standard of practice. As a Fear Free Certified Professional do my utmost to minimize fear and never add stress, pain or anxiety to realize training goals. I do not recommend shock, prong or choke collars as a means to solve behavior problems.
All of my clients receive a training plan which includes notes, homework and additional resources after every session. Each package includes text/phone/email support between sessions, a copy of My New Puppy or My New Dog booklet, video tutorials and free access to my 90-minute Canine Body Language for Pet Parents webinar recording.
Why I became a dog trainer:
Having been born and raised in the mountains of Montana, I grew up with a menagerie of farm and companion animals. I spent much of my childhood playing with dogs and teaching them various tricks. Like many of my colleagues, my foray into the world of professional dog training began with a love for working with dogs and a relationship with a reactive dog of my own. Working with a dog that reacts to people, other dogs and other sudden environmental changes pushed me to learn more about dog behavior and learning theory and to develop skills and techniques to help my own dog. I have found that I absolutely loved working with dogs who are struggling and find it extremely rewarding to help others who live with dogs who have big feelings.
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
The best part of being a dog trainer is seeing a frustrated owner and a struggling dog become a strong and successful team built on mutual trust and understanding. Helping clients understand what their dog is trying to say through actions and body signals, why they are behaving they way that they are and hearing about their small successes and big wins is unbelievably reinforcing for me.
My #1 dog training tip:
Teach a Find It cue. A cue that tells the dog to look for food on the floor/ground. Teach it to the point of being reflexive for both you and your dog. This can be used to move a dog, to redirect, to begin games, to get a check in, to get a dog sniffing, as a recall, etc. Basically, the Find It cue is the duct tape of dog training.
David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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