Introducing Diane Garrod . . .
Diane Garrod is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a minor in Journalism. She has been writing, speaking and teaching in one form or another for over twenty years. Diane has a keen interest in communication between humans and animals and specializes in dogs and reactivity. She has been training dogs part-time since she was 18 years old.
Diane is a Certified Tellington Practitioner (P1) and is a Clicker Professional training parrots, dogs and other companion animals. Diane believes strongly in constantly continuing training and studying positive reward-based training. She has attended and held workshops with trainers such as Kathy Sdao’s "Cujo vs. Pavlov" focusing on leash aggression; Brenda Aloff on Aggression in Dogs; Kathy Cascade on S.A.N.E. Solutions for Extreme Dog Behavior; and Pia Silvani on Dogs and Aggression. Diane has worked with aggressive dogs her entire career as dog trainer since 1971. Her very first reactive dog was a black cocker spaniel with dog human reactivity and what would be known today as rage syndrome. Diane had a special understanding with this dog "Lady" and got her first taste of training a reactive dog, a fourth grade companion, and has built on this talent over the years. It was the start of a unique understanding and communication with reactive aggressive behavior.
Diane grew up with dogs and training. Her father was a K9 Corps trainer and competed in Schutzhund with German Shepherds and dinnertime conversation resonated animals. At one point she had two monkeys, several hamsters, rabbits, cats, and 7 dogs. She always has had a German Shepherd in her life until now. Her breed of choice today is the Belgian Tervuren and she currently owns two, Kody and Chancellor.
Her Belgian Tervuren, Chancellor came into her life, a genetically reactive and challenged male. While wonderful, responsive, Chancellor has grown, matured and become a wonderful dog with decreased reactive tendencies. The journey is not yet done, as Chancellor excels in tracking, herding and Rally-O. When Diane realized Chancellor was reactive to humans she decided to train him with positive reward-based methods despite the advice of other trainers, breeders, friends. Diane uses the same respect and gentle approach in her training of dogs and their people.
Diane is active on the Island with the "Love On A Leash" Pet Assisted Therapy Program, and shows in conformation, and Rally-O. Recently, Diane worked seven days at Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah in the Parrot Garden, showing staff how to do ttouch with parrots and clicker training. She adopted a Mitred Conure, Paco. Diane is also a moderator of Melissa Alexander’s popular discussion list "Clicker Solutions". Melissa Alexander is author of "Click For Joy" and Clicker Solutions is one of the most popular clicker lists with the largest membership online today.
Diane lives on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound just north of Seattle, Washington in a little town called Langley. Langley is fondly named "Village By the Sea" and paradise to Diane, her husband, two Belgian Tervurens and a parrot. She trains on the island, as well as with her mobile unit in a 50-mile radius.
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