First off, I like to give thanks to my Husband, Michael, for the support, time and encouragement he gave in launching this new business. And thanks to my Family, for all the help they put into getting the place up and running, with all the extra hours it took to get the business open.
Kendra Nault's Bio (Owner)
I grew up with dogs, and have always loved them. I now own 4 dogs - Kane, a 10 year old Shepard/Lab mix, Drake, a 9 year old German Pinscher, and Malachai and Riddick are my 4 year old America Pit Bull Terriers. When I started training dogs years ago, I didn’t realize how much more you could enjoy a dog. I mean, I had good dogs, but I didn’t realize what they were capable of and the incredible bond you could create with them while training.
My idea of a dream job is to be able to work with animals. So, I went to Boston for some training and realized how I would LOVE my job. I had a lot of work to do trying to fill my training classes, since I never had previous experience, but i was up for the challenge. Through my classes I met some great people and my reputation as a dog trainer began. With-in a year I was promoted to "Area Trainer" and trained people who wanted to become trainers from NY,CT, MA, and RI. Working a corporate job, I was restricted as to what I was allowed to do with my training and who was allowed to join my classes, but my theory was if the dog or person who needed help, I was going to do what I needed to do. I had cases from severe aggression, to cases of extreme fear in some dog, and they all needed help, so I knew I couldn't, and wouldn't turn them away.
I have learned a lot from many different experiences by taking on these challenges, some of the issues I had to research or really think about to get answers, and how to rehabilitate them. It seemed I never left my work at work, It always somehow came home with me. I did this because the dog needed the help and it was so gratifying to see how much the dog could rehabilitate with a little time and effort, and maybe a little direction. I have not yet had a dog that I had to give up on, to put on medication or be put to sleep. I think any dog, at any age, can be helped, as long as a person is willing to do the work that is required. The dogs are always willing to "feel better", it's just hard for the people to accept their dogs behavior issues, and find out that we, the owners are the cause of these behaviors.
After dealing with some of my aggression cases, I realized that I couldn't help everyone that came through the door where I was working with out risking my job. So I decided to pursue my own business where I wouldn't have any restrictions.
I have also Donated my time to some Shelter dogs. I help rehabilitate them by running classes for socializing, or behavior issues. It helps them become more adoptable. I love being able to see the remarkable steps a dog can take to transform and rehabilitate themselves. Sometime I would have 3 different dogs attend one session, because part way through the dogs got adopted.
I also had a drop in class twice a week for socializing and people really seemed to enjoy seeing there dogs have so much fun. Their dogs would get so excited any time they mentioned it. That is a big reason why I opened a DOG DAYCARE, it helps with socializing, and they have fun while they are doing it. They also get a lot of energy out so when you get home you don't have to worry about draining them after a busy day at work.
I enrolled in the Animal Behavior College and graduated early in October. This is how I became a Certified Obedience Trainer and expand my Behavior Modification skills.
I just opened, Alpha Dog Center in 2008, a Dog Daycare ,Training, Boarding, and Grooming Center. Daycare for your convenience and a fun day for your dog socializing and playing with friends while you are away from home. At the Alpha Dog Center, we also offer Training dealing with anything from severe aggression to socializing or fear, and anything in between including house issues, behavior issues, or Puppy issues. Alpha Dog Center is NOW offering Grooming, It is a stress free time, we use scents, music to relax the dogs and our Groomer is safety Certified and experienced with handling dogs. As of July 1st 2010 we are offering Boarding, our boarding is unique from many others, we do not keep your dog in a kennel for their entire stay, They have people and dog interaction all day long, and are only kenneled at night for bed. We want our Boarding to be as relaxing for the dog as it is for you. Alpha Dog Center is your dogs home away from home.
In the last few years I have volunteered at a shelter to help the "hard to adopt" dogs (pit bulls) become more adoptable. I temperament test them to make sure what homes they will be best suited for, or if there are any behavior issues that I can assist with. I am a huge advocate of education and trying to get dogs adopted and change the way that people look at certain breeds. Pit Bulls can be wonderful loving pets if trained and cared for properly.
My idea of a dream job is to be able to work with animals. So, I went to Boston for some training and realized how I would LOVE my job. I had a lot of work to do trying to fill my training classes, since I never had previous experience, but i was up for the challenge. Through my classes I met some great people and my reputation as a dog trainer began. With-in a year I was promoted to "Area Trainer" and trained people who wanted to become trainers from NY,CT, MA, and RI. Working a corporate job, I was restricted as to what I was allowed to do with my training and who was allowed to join my classes, but my theory was if the dog or person who needed help, I was going to do what I needed to do. I had cases from severe aggression, to cases of extreme fear in some dog, and they all needed help, so I knew I couldn't, and wouldn't turn them away.
I have learned a lot from many different experiences by taking on these challenges, some of the issues I had to research or really think about to get answers, and how to rehabilitate them. It seemed I never left my work at work, It always somehow came home with me. I did this because the dog needed the help and it was so gratifying to see how much the dog could rehabilitate with a little time and effort, and maybe a little direction. I have not yet had a dog that I had to give up on, to put on medication or be put to sleep. I think any dog, at any age, can be helped, as long as a person is willing to do the work that is required. The dogs are always willing to "feel better", it's just hard for the people to accept their dogs behavior issues, and find out that we, the owners are the cause of these behaviors.
After dealing with some of my aggression cases, I realized that I couldn't help everyone that came through the door where I was working with out risking my job. So I decided to pursue my own business where I wouldn't have any restrictions.
I have also Donated my time to some Shelter dogs. I help rehabilitate them by running classes for socializing, or behavior issues. It helps them become more adoptable. I love being able to see the remarkable steps a dog can take to transform and rehabilitate themselves. Sometime I would have 3 different dogs attend one session, because part way through the dogs got adopted.
I also had a drop in class twice a week for socializing and people really seemed to enjoy seeing there dogs have so much fun. Their dogs would get so excited any time they mentioned it. That is a big reason why I opened a DOG DAYCARE, it helps with socializing, and they have fun while they are doing it. They also get a lot of energy out so when you get home you don't have to worry about draining them after a busy day at work.
I enrolled in the Animal Behavior College and graduated early in October. This is how I became a Certified Obedience Trainer and expand my Behavior Modification skills.
I just opened, Alpha Dog Center in 2008, a Dog Daycare ,Training, Boarding, and Grooming Center. Daycare for your convenience and a fun day for your dog socializing and playing with friends while you are away from home. At the Alpha Dog Center, we also offer Training dealing with anything from severe aggression to socializing or fear, and anything in between including house issues, behavior issues, or Puppy issues. Alpha Dog Center is NOW offering Grooming, It is a stress free time, we use scents, music to relax the dogs and our Groomer is safety Certified and experienced with handling dogs. As of July 1st 2010 we are offering Boarding, our boarding is unique from many others, we do not keep your dog in a kennel for their entire stay, They have people and dog interaction all day long, and are only kenneled at night for bed. We want our Boarding to be as relaxing for the dog as it is for you. Alpha Dog Center is your dogs home away from home.
In the last few years I have volunteered at a shelter to help the "hard to adopt" dogs (pit bulls) become more adoptable. I temperament test them to make sure what homes they will be best suited for, or if there are any behavior issues that I can assist with. I am a huge advocate of education and trying to get dogs adopted and change the way that people look at certain breeds. Pit Bulls can be wonderful loving pets if trained and cared for properly.
This Picture is of Chad Jackson,(former) NE Patriots #17 Wide Receiver,
he came for training with me, for both Pit bulls. I also worked with Santonio Thomas #92 he is a Defensive Tackle & his baby Rottie, Diamond. I talked a lot with Adelius Thomas # 96 he is a Linebacker and Bam Childress #11 (back up) Wide Receiver. I worked most with Chad Jackson and Satonio Thomas and their dogs. I ended up inheriting the Pitbulls from Chad Jackson....I love them both and they fit in well with my other 2 dogs at home.
he came for training with me, for both Pit bulls. I also worked with Santonio Thomas #92 he is a Defensive Tackle & his baby Rottie, Diamond. I talked a lot with Adelius Thomas # 96 he is a Linebacker and Bam Childress #11 (back up) Wide Receiver. I worked most with Chad Jackson and Satonio Thomas and their dogs. I ended up inheriting the Pitbulls from Chad Jackson....I love them both and they fit in well with my other 2 dogs at home.
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***1 of the major problems with media reports on Pit Bulls is mistaken identity....did you know there are 26 different breeds commonly mistaken for pit bulls?
Fact: a study by Karen Delise ... found that pitbull or pit mixes ONLY accounted for 21% of attacks. Mix breeds accounted for 18% and non specific breeds for 15% In 2002 the American Temperament Testing Society statistics listed Pit Bulls, AmStaffs, and Rottweilers were all in the 82 percentile, meaning that 80+% of the dogs tested PASSED the temperament test. That is a very high percentage,especially being compared to breed which are common family dogs, such as Golden retrievers, and Bichon Frise tested at 77%, Chihuahuas at 71%, Greyhounds at 81% and Lhasa Apso at 71%. test results available at www.atts.org. Many things contribute to dog attacks- Irresponsible owners. poor training, neglect, starvation, physical abuse,confinement, INTACT DOGS. These increase frustration levels which can lead to aggression in any dog. |
~~ Aggression is not the breed it is a state of mind~~
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Daddy R.I.P. (2010)
What a great role model and inspiration!