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At University Canine Learning Academy we are committed to teaching people how to communicate with their dogs effectively in a manner that is enjoyable for everyone.
Our methods are based in the science of Animal Learning Theory, using two of the four quadrants: positive reinforcement and negative punishment. That means that we use motivational methods to reward dogs for doing those things we like, while removing the “pay off” for those behaviors we don’t want. The use of a clicker or marker word is employed in our classes to mark the desired behavior.
Though food rewards are used in class, we always encourage our students to use real life environmental rewards as well. It could be as simple as moving forward on a walk or as abstract as being allowed to play with other dogs.
Our commitment is the use of effective, humane training methods. Positive does not mean permissive. Dogs repeat behaviors that work and give up those that don’t. Science has shown that success improves learning in dogs and we use this to our clients’ advantage.
Instructors at UCLA Dogs participate in continuing education, including dogTEC’s Dog Walker’s Academy, Terry Ryan’s Poultry in Motion, Pet CPR and First Aid certification, Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Aggression telecourse, Veronica Boutelle’s Dog Pro seminar and internationally renowned author Kat Albrecht’s Missing Pet Partnership Lost Dog Recovery lecture. University Canine Learning Academy was nominated for Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington and NBC’s Shine a Light program, and our instructors have authored award winning articles. It is our mission to stay abreast of current training science as well as sharing that knowledge with our clients.
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Linda McVay, CCS CDW
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Linda has always loved dogs and began seriously working with them in 1990. After graduating from the first Canine Studies Program she was awarded a scholarship to the San Francisco Academy of Dog Training. She soon found herself as manager and head trainer at Seattle Dogworks. She is a full member of the APDT . She continues to keep abreast of industry literature and attends seminars and lectures as her busy schedule allows. This year she has attended Terry Ryan's Poultry in Motion and participated in Dr.Ian Dunbar's "Dog on Dog Aggression" telecourse. Now embarking on her own venture, she looks forward to continuing to help people effectively communicate with their dogs at Seattle’s own University Canine Learning Academy.
Her compassion for dogs and their owners is evident from the moment you enter her classroom. She brings both reason and joy to the sometimes daunting process of better understanding canine behavior and training.
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Andrea Stone, CCS CDW
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Seventeen years of working with and training dogs has given Andrea a wealth of hands-on knowledge that she eagerly shares with dog owners. She finished the highly regarded Canine Studies Program taught by Cristine Dahl as valedictorian giving her a strong grounding in canine education in addition to her real world experience. This provides the tools to share her enthusiasm and talent in helping people with their dogs and creating life-long, harmonious partnerships.
Andrea brings to University Canine Learning Academy a commitment to share her knowledge and a strong desire to strengthen a healthy bond between people and dogs.
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Stormi King, CCS
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Stormi holds a Certificate in Canine Studies from the Seattle School of Canine Studies, is a student at the Companion Animal Science Institute where she is specializing in fearful dogs and fear-related aggression. She is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals.
Her career began as the neighborhood dog walker through her teenage years and continued on as she took a job working at a high-volume local dog daycare. Her talent in training was quickly realized as she embarked on an impressive journey through the competitive obedience field earning UKC Companion Dog (UCD), Therapy Dogs International (TDI) titles and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) status with her own deaf dog. Combining her life-long experience with dogs, her academic background in companion animal learning and behavior, and her keen technical eye and innate sense of dog behavior, Stormi is able to effectively address everything from teaching basic obedience to problem-behavior modification and understanding your canine pal.
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University Canine Learning Academy
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Rest assured that your puppy or adult dog will be trained in the areas of socialization, housebreaking, tricks, rally, good citizenship, and much more using only ASPCA approved positive, reward-based techniques. You will experience rapid and joyous learning growth with your dog in this advanced training environment. Our CCS and CTC certified dog trainers and all of our canine classes employ scientifically developed state-of-the-art behavioral techniques which are easy and fun to learn and extremely versatile in their application.
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Are you concerned that your dog or puppy is aggressive? Worried about his biting, leash pulling, house training, mounting ( “humping” ), chewing, digging or barking? Are you confused or concerned about dog dominance? Or maybe you just want to teach your dog some new tricks. We have puppy and adult dog classes geared toward the companion dog and those looking to become involved with obedience. We also have classes for those interested in showing their dog in conformation. First time puppy owner? Get off on the right paw with UCLA Dogs!
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We are located conveniently in the U-District and an easy drive from the surrounding neighborhoods of Laurelhurst, Mountlake, Green Lake, Capitol Hill, Wallingford, North Seattle, South Seattle. Bellevue and Kirkland are short drives away via 520. Heck, even Everett is only 25 minutes away! Our clients feel it is well worth the trip.
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