Debi Buchholz, KPA-CTP, CCPDT-KA

I am the owner of and trainer at Anything’s PAWSable Dog Training in Kalispell, MT.  I’m a certified positive reinforcement trainer.  Below is are explanations of the organizations I am affiliated with.

Karen Pryor Academy

Karen Pryor, the founder of the Karen Pryor Academy of Dog Training, is a pioneer in the development of force-free training methods, and one of the leading proponents of operant conditioning  Karen Pryor Academy was founded by Karen Pryor Clicker Training, and launched nationally in 2007 with training centers throughout North America.  Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior is an educational institution that teaches inspired animal training through innovative programs designed for both experienced and aspiring teachers. The academy advances the field of force-free training through community and peer collaboration, and helps their                                                                          faculty and alumni become more successful through close business partnerships.

Certification Council For Professional Dog Trainers-Knowledge Assessed ,CCPDT-KA

CCPDT-KA certification recognized the knowledge and experience of professional dog trainers.  Certificants must provide references that attest to their work and pass a rigorous written exam that focuses on the science behind dog behavior and the application of training techniques.  CPDT-KA certification provides an independent, scientifically valid measure of an individual’s understanding of the field of dog training,                                  including instruction skills, learning theory, ethology, equipment, and animal husbandry.

CCPDT requires its certificants to adhere to its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) Effective Behavior Intervention policies.  Certificants must engage in on-going continuing education to maintain the credential.  These rigorous standards ensure that CPDT-KA certificants are actively engaged in professional development and applying the most current science and techniques with their clients.

Animal Behavioral College Certified Dog Trainer and Mentor Trainer

Debi graduated the Animal Behavioral College program prior to the KPA program and went on to become a mentor instructor for the Animal Behavioral College’s upcoming students. 

Association of Professional Dog Trainers

Debi is a member of the APDT and pursues continuing educational credits.  The APDT was founded in 1993 by Ian Dunbar, PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS, CPDT and  is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education.  The APDT created the Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility to set forth aspirations and guidelines for APDT members of all levels to provide outstanding service and pursue continuing education.  The APDT Foundation was created to help fund research of benefit to dog trainers and behavior counselors.

American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Trainer and Evaluator

Debi is a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and has been a trainer and evaluator of both the AKC  S.T.A.R. Puppy and the AKC Canine Good Citizen programs for several years now.  This program  is designed to recognize dogs who have good manners at home and in the community and to reward responsible dog ownership.   This is best accomplished when dogs and their owners have a trainer they can turn to for reliable information and training assistance.  Debi is also an AKC Breeder of Merit.

Professional Trainer in the Pet Professional Guild

The Pet Professional Guild is a membership business league for individuals and professional pet industry businesses having the common business interest and goal of furthering the public’s education and awareness of force-free dog training and pet care methods, techniques and state of research in dog training and pet care and to promote the common interest of spreading ‘force-free’ dog training and pet care methods to the pet industry in not only the US but around the world.

Doggone Safe Bite Prevention

Debi is a presenter for Doggone Safe, a bite prevention program conducted in groups designed for assisting school age children to learn to read dog body language and the best ways to control their own bodies to avoid a potential dog bite.

Family Paws Consultant

As a Family Paws consultant, Debi meets with and assists both families who have one or more dogs and are expecting a baby (Dogs and Storks program) and families who are trying to live safely with both dogs and young children (Dogs and Toddlers program).

4-H Trainer and Judge

Debi is available as a trainer and adviser for the 4-H Dog Program to help and assist the future animal owners of tomorrow learn a positive way of relating to and training animals.  By working with young minds, not only can the future for animal well-being be influenced, but the principles used are applicable to all facets of life, therefore they become life skills.   Debi has also been a judge for several 4-H dog program shows and was a showman herself as a child.