Meet the Trainer
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Melissa Dilla
KPA-CTP, PMCT, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, SDC Melissa has dedicated her life to honing the craft of dog training and behavior modification through using only force free, fear free, positive reinforcement, rewards-based methods. A lifelong interest in human and animal psychology and behavior is what drives her passion to better understand both the complexity and simplicity of the science, emotion, and feeling beneath the surface. She knows how crucial in life it is to have a thorough understanding of the entire picture. A firm grasp in many fields, both inside and outside of dog training, is what allows her to recognize, focus, and access the details. Her extensive knowledge and innate creativity grant her the valuable ability to tweak, trouble-shoot, and problem-solve. Melissa highly values the relationship and bond created between humans and their dogs. She believes human and dog teams benefit exponentially when their relationships are built on a solid foundation, based on mutual trust, understanding, and loyalty. Sensitive to the feelings of both human and dog, Melissa works enthusiastically with anyone who desires a deeper understanding of their canine companion. She knows the immeasurable value in finding what it is a dog is trying to say, and why. Humans and dogs speak very different languages. She enjoys bridging the gap to help the human understand the dog in front of them, and to help dog understand the human in front of them. A deeper, more colorful, robust relationship is the result of learning to better understand the mind of our canine friends, and the language that they speak. *** Melissa and Bodhi, her Rough Collie, work as a therapy dog team and Bodhi’s also a certified R.E.A.D. dog. They’re titled and active in a variety of AKC and UKC dog sports such as Obedience, Rally, Coursing, FCAT, Barn Hunting, Scent Work, Conformation, Tricks, and Herding. They’ve earned the CGC, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, VHM, and Farm Dog titles as well. Melissa instructs several levels of Tricks and CGC classes and conducts evaluations at a local volunteer dog training club. She’s stewarded at the club, volunteered at club trials, and introduced a pilot project of Fit Dog. Melissa and Bodhi have contributed several admissions to the AKC PupPals program. She also volunteered at Hero Dogs for several years. Over the years, Melissa has volunteered and been a representative at functions and festivals, as well as demoed with Bodhi at several workshops. In addition to her own private business, Melissa instructs classes at Your Dog's Friend in Rockville, Maryland. She’s working towards becoming a Licensed Family Paws Educator. Owner/Lead Trainer of: Metropolitan Dog LLC Certifications: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT) Certified Behavioral Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA) Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Collaborative Care Partner (DN-CCP) Service Dog Coach (SDC) Certified Fear Free Pet Professional AKC CGC, TRICKS, and ATT Instructor/Evaluator Do More With Your Dog Tricks Instructor/Evaluator (DMWYD) Certified Dog Bite Prevention Educator (DBPE) AKC Fit Dog Instructor Red Cross CPR PPG Pet First Aid C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator Licensed Presenter of “The Be a Tree Program” Walk This Way Instructor (DN-WTWI) Education: Bachelor of Social Science Workshops/Seminars: Bob Bailey, Suzanne Clothier, Temple Grandin, Sue Sternberg, Michael Shikashio, Clicker Expos Memberships: Mid-Atlantic Association of Positive Professional Pet Trainers (MAAPPPT) Peaceable Paws Affiliate Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Shock-Free Coalition Capital Dog Training Club (CDTC) National Capital Therapy Dogs (NCTD) Collie Health Foundation (CHF) American Working Collie Association (AWCA) Old-Time Scotch Collie Association (OTSCA) Canine Training Association (CTA) Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) |
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Metropolitan Dog LLC
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