Certifications/Degrees

• Certified Canine Behavior  Consultant
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer
•  BA 
• Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog Trainer
• Pet Professional Guild Member
•  Association of Professional Dog Trainers
•  Pet Sitter International Professional 
•  Pet Professional Guild Member

Experience

• 10 years as a Veterinary Technician 
• 16 years as a Professional Dog Behavior Expert
• 5 years as a professional groomer
• 19 years as a professional pet sitter

Publications

• Expert writer for Positively.com
• Expert writer for Animal Advocates of Alabama
• Published regularly as an expert opinion writer in major canine publications

Abigail Witthauer has devoted her life to animal behavior and cognition.   She has been training dogs professionally for over 10 years.  Abigail holds a bachelors degree in Interpersonal Counseling and Community Development.  Her work during her undergraduate degree program in social work, psychology, and community development have complemented her additional education in animal science and behavior immensely.   Abigail holds a number of animal behavior accreditations including Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC).  The CBCC accredidation requires over 300 hours and three years of documented and mentored animal behavior work as well as passing an animal science, learning theory, and behavior standardized test given by a third party evaluator.   Abigail is a Professional Member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Certified Council For Professional Dog Trainers, the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizens Evaluators and many other professional animal behavior and training organizations.   

Abigail’s behavior and training work is scientifically sound animal behavior, conditioning, and training.  Abigail will never use harsh or aversive methods and is committed to following the guidelines accepted by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, ASPCA, and PPG denouncing all use of force or dominance in dog training and supporting only force-free, scientifically sound methods.