SpotonDogs@comcast.net
815.520.5619 (text, please)
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ABOUT ME
Loretta (Lori) Swanson, M.A., M.F.A. – Certified Professional Dog Trainer
At the age of 12, Loretta trained her first dog to an obedience title. For 35 or so years after that she trained dogs (and horses) on a part-time basis. In 2010, she dedicated her life to the care, training, and handling of dogs full-time, continuing her more than 25 year career as a college professor part-time.
Addicted to research in all aspects of her life, Loretta sought out and absorbed every scientific article she could find about dog training and behavior. This led to her earning her first training certification, as a clicker trainer from the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), quickly followed by her certification as a nose work instructor from the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and most recently certification as a trick dog instructor from Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD) where she was named Trainer of the Year in 2020. She is also a Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
Her students are winning prizes, lots of prizes, at all kinds of trials. She has over 30 students currently trialing at all levels of nose work in many organizations like NACSW, UKC, C-WAGS, CPE, and AKC in the U.S. plus she coaches a couple of teams in Europe. Another 15 or so competing in rally obedience and still others are earning Trick Dog titles. Her own dog competes in them all, too, plus drafting.
Staying current in the fast changing world of dog training is very important to Loretta and she does it by devoting several weeks a year to continuing education. She attends in-person working seminars and online webinars with a wide variety of national and international dog trainers.
ENROLL IN A TRAINING CLASS
S.T.A.R. Puppies: Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility
Started Sep 24
120 US dollarsS.T.A.R. Puppies: Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility
Starts Oct 19
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
Build on Puppy Kindergarten to continue helping your puppy excel.
Started Sep 24
120 US dollarsBuild on Puppy Kindergarten to continue helping your puppy excel.
Starts Oct 19
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
Your dog's "teenager" phase can be trying but you're not alone!
Starts Oct 19
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
You've put a lot of time and effort into training. Let's show it off!
Starts Oct 20
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
CGC Advanced and CGC Urban continue developing a well-behaved dog.
Starts Oct 20
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Looking for a fun way to keep obedience skills sharp? Rally it is!
Started Oct 9
120 US dollarsLooking for a fun way to keep obedience skills sharp? Rally it is!
Started Oct 9
120 US dollarsTeaching your dog tricks helps improve their manners and obedience.
Starts Oct 20
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
Please text or email for class schedule. For those "people pups" who h...
Ended
120 US dollarsThis is the most fun you'll have in a dog training class!
Starts Oct 19
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Sniffing fun continues while your dog learns to find birch odor!
Starts Oct 19
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
Two new target odors: anise and clove plus all new locations!
Starts Oct 19
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This class is available to teams invited by the instructor.
Starts Oct 16
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
This class is available to teams invited by the instructor.
Starts Oct 16
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
This class is available to teams invited by the instructor.
Starts Oct 17
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
This class is available to teams invited by the instructor.
Starts Oct 18
120 US dollarsLoading availability...
Teams who are already competing or are getting ready to compete in Han...
Started Oct 14
120 US dollarsThis is a ring craft class for those dogs destined for the show ring. ...
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10 US dollars