Curriculum Vitae of Michelle L. Douglas
Biographical Information:
Michelle Douglas, CPDT-KA, CDBC formed THE REFINED CANINE, LLC and began training dogs and their people in 1997
Michelle is a regular guest on Good Morning Connecticut on WTNH News 8
The Refined Canine, LLC has been featured in the New Haven Register and Connecticut Post newspapers, on Cablevision Channel 12, and WTNH News 8 Good Morning Connecticut
Michelle has been a regular guest on the Chaz & AJ morning show on 99.1 FM, WPLR since 2005
Michelle has a blog on DogStarDaily.com, Ian and Kelly Dunbar's web-resource for pet owners and trainers
Michelle is a past president (2010) of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
Michelle served as Vice President (2011) and Trustee for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to raising money for research and education in dog training & behavior
Certifications:
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) #308 (12/05, recert '07, '09, '11, ’13, ’15, ‘18)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) #3010110 (9/01, recert '04, '07, '10, ’13, ‘16, ‘19)
AKC Canine Good Citizen® Approved Evaluator #28046 (since 2007)
Certified Mentor Trainer, Animal Behavior College (since 2006)
Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator Presenter for the Dogs & Storks™ Program (since 2006)
Private Instructor Certification through Animal Behavior & Training Associates (2000)Group
Instructor Certification through Animal Behavior & Training Associates (1998-2000)
Lecturing/Moderating:
Letters from your Dog Seminar, 2018
Ask the Trainer - Dog Days with EARS and Annual Fall Festival for the Stratford STARS Animals, 2018
More Quick Tips - Ask The Trainer - Westport Dog Festival (Demo), 2018
Letters from your Dog Highlights - Dog Days at Bass Pro Shop, 2018
Quick Tips for Good Manners - Westport Dog Festival (Training Demo), 2017
Dog Quirks - Dog Days at Bass Pro Shop, 2017
Dog Training for Real Life - CT Pet Expo, Bridgeport CT (speaker), 2016
Ask The Trainer - Hamden Annual Fall Festival (speaker), 2016
Quick Tips for Good Manners - Westport Dog Festival (Training Demo), 2016
How Your Dog Sees the World - CT Pit Bull Awareness Day (speaker), 2014
Decoding Your Dog - Stratford STARS Festival for the Animals (speaker), 2014
Making a Pit Bull Ambassador - CT Pit Bull Awareness Day (speaker), 2013
Training Dragons - Dog Training for Kids - Stratford STARS Festival for the Animals (speaker), 2013
Socialization, What It Is & Why It's Important - CT Pit Bull Awareness Day (speaker), 2012
Lessons Learned From Tragedy - CT Pit Bull Awareness Day (speaker), 2011
Full Moons & Devil Dogs Interactive Workshop for dog trainers (presenter), (APDT Conference) 2010, (DTC) 2011
Aggression Roundtable for Dog Trainers (Dog Trainers Connection ~ moderator), 2010
Living with Aggression seminar (presenter), 2007
Published Works:
BLOG: http://orange.patch.com/users/michelle-douglas-75d7f563/blog_posts
BLOG: http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogger/1952
Top Tips from Top Trainers (©2010 TFH Publications)
Dogs & Storks, A Program for Expectant Families with Dogs, article published in the APDT Chronicle of the Dog (©2009)
Canine Separation Anxiety, an article published on Dr. Jeff Vidt's website (©2007)
The Dog Trainer's Resource, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection (©2006 Dogwise)
Training The Chinese Shar Pei, an article published on Dr. Jef Vidt's Website (©2006)
EDUCATION And TRAINING:
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Annual Educational Conference (Virtual), 2020
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - Lemonade Conference (virtual), 2020
Separation Anxiety Webinar with Dr. John Cirabassi, DACVB, 2019
Taking a Behavior History Webinar with Dr. John Cirabassi, DACVB, 2019
Teamwork: Building Cooperation On & Off Leash, 2016
Applied Animal Behavior Academy - Client Communications Certificate Course, 2016
Prosperous Pet Business Conference - Online 10-day Conference, 2015
Sociability Vs Aggression - Sue Sternberg 2-day workshop, 2015
Handler's Choice for Obedience - Denise Fenzi 1-day workshop, 2015
Prosperous Pet Business Conference - Online 10-day Conference, 2014
Off-Leash Reliability & Games - Handler (Dr. Dunbar), 2014
The Dominance Myth - Fearfulness, Reactivity & Aggression in Dogs (Dr. Dunbar), 2013
The Power of Rewards - Webinar by Good Dogs of America, 2012
Science-Based Dog Training with Feeling! Dr. Ian Dunbar seminar (3-day) NYC, 2012
Sirius Dog Training Academy Dr. Ian Dunbar (4-day academy) Albany NY, 2011
Annual Educational Conferences of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) (10), 1998 – 2003, 2007, 2009-2011, 2018
* Each conference is 5 days of intense seminars on all aspects of animal training and care
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conferences (2), 2007, 2011
Dog Trainers roundtable NYC, 2010
Biting Dog Conference, 2006
Ian Dunbar Teleconference, 2006
Sue Sternberg (2 seminars), 2006
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Technician Symposium, 2005
New England Veterinary Medical Association, Scientific Conference (for Technicians), 2004
Sea World, Animal Keeper for a day, 2003
Sea World, Animal Trainer for a day, 2001
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s 3-Day Instructor’s Workshop, 2001
Cornell University, Preventing & Solving Canine Behavior Problems 2-day seminar, 1997
New England Dog Training Association, Solving Behavior Problems 2-day seminars, 1996 & 1997
Connecticut K-9 Education Center, Graduate, Professional Dog Training, 1997
Southern Connecticut State University, Major: Business, 1996
Mount Ida College, Newton, MA, Major: Veterinary Technology and Canine Science, 1995
University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, Major: Music and Pre-Veterinary Medicine, 1993 - 1995
Memberships:
Professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), since 1998
Certified Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), since 2005
Association of Professional Humane Educators, since 2016
Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP), 2014-2018
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Board of Directors (VP 2009, President 2010), 2008 - 2011
Member of the IAABC Standards Commission Applicant Review Board, 2006 - 2007
Member of the IAABC Animals As Other Nations Award (2007) Committee, 2006 - 2007
Volunteer with Peis and Strays Rescue Organization, since 2005
Volunteer with North American Shar Pei Rescue, since 2002
Volunteer at several local (CT) animal shelters (independent), since 1999
Member of APDT Member Relations & Communications Committee, 1999-2008
Chair of APDT Member Relations Committee, 2002 - 2004
Member of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (CSPCA), since 1995
Competed and advanced to the finals in Talent America, 1993
Member of the Black Onion Players summer theatre group:
*performer and Dance Captain for the production of Jesus Christ Superstar, 1993
Performed with Yale University’s Summer Chorus, 1992
Professional Work Experience:
PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER & BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT Dec 1996 – present
The Refined Canine, LLC (Owner)
Animal Behavior & Training Associates contracted with PetCo (1998-2000)
Conducting private lessons, behavior consultations, and all levels of group classes
Researching, diagnosing, and developing gentle treatment programs for a wide range of behavior problems
Volunteering with rescue groups, assessing behavior, and educating shelter staff in gentle training methods
Designing specialty training classes for common problems, reactive dogs, and other advanced programs
Developing an extensive apprenticeship program to educate and foster professional growth in new dog trainers
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN 2004 - 2005, 1996 - 1997
Several hospitals while in college
Smith Ridge Veterinary Center
Assisting in surgery and restraining for examinations, vaccinations, and treatments
Keeping hospitalized and boarded animals clean, comfortable, and exercised
Various aspects of hospital maintenance and medical treatments
Greeting clients and creating a rapport with animals and care-giver
Answering client questions by phone, maintaining good relationships