My Story
In September 1995 I started training my beautiful dog, Maxine.
Like most people, I did not know how to start, but knew I wanted a well-behaved dog. Easier said than done, right?
It all started when I adopted Maxine from the Scituate Animal Shelter in Scituate, MA.
Maxine came to the shelter because her previous owner had abandoned her. Thankfully, the neighbors found her and the shelter was willing to take her. Ironically, it was the same day I started volunteering.
When she came through the door, little did I know I had just met my dog!
Maxine had nine puppies two weeks later, and once the puppies had all been adopted, it was her turn.
After much thought, which should always be given when adopting any animal, I decided that I was ready for the responsibility of having a dog, and Maxine was the one! After all, we had already been through so much together. I was her person and she was my "Big Girl".
However, she did have one issue. Maxine would drag me down the street when we went for walks. She had absolutely no manners when it came to walking on a leash. She thought she was a Husky pulling a sled. Did I look like a musher?
As a result of my success in training with Maxine, I decided to attend Mt. Ida College, Newton, MA. My primary focus was behavior and training, and in 1998 I received my Associates Degree in Animal Sciences.
In 1998 I founded Canine Etiquette, and have been a private, in-home trainer ever since.
Sadly I lost Maxine in January 2007 at the age of 14. To say I miss her is an understatement. She was my best friend and I will keep her in my memories and in my heart forever. We were truly blessed to have found each other.
In the 13 years that we spent together, what she taught me was truly amazing. It was because of her, that I learned to teach people to train their dogs through patience, love and understanding.
So you see, I am not much different than you. My desire to train started with my love for my dog and wanting her to behave. It was my responsibility to find a way to accomplish that while having fun as we learned together.
Canine Etiquette
Halifax, MA
(339) 933-9301
Dawn@CanineEtiquette.com