Linda Lelak, CPDT-KA, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Professional Member APTD, IPDTA, Animal Lifeline Behavior Consultant

Training Method: Positive Reinforcement; Clicker Training; Praise and Reward. Motivational methods are used to achieve acceptable behaviors in the family dog. Training focuses on teaching basic manners and obedience cues as well as working with dogs who exhibit fear or aggression problems.

Linda’s program is customized based on the temperament and drives of the dog and the scientifically-proven principles of canine behavior. Dogs don’t ‘see’ their behavior as good or bad, but do that which rewards them. Her objective is to clearly teach the dog to know what is expected, to provide it the positive motivation and the desire do so, and to demonstrate to dog owners that they have the ability to effectively motivate their canine friend based upon these principles.

Having been savagely bitten at age five by a neighbor’s dog while riding her bike, Linda, rather than become afraid of dogs, eventually became curious about why the attack took place. As a child she would pore over books to learn about dog behavior. Her training library is still growing.

She began her career working in customer and public relations fields in the public sector and volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician. Her extensive experience in public relations, emergency medicine and years as a 4-H leader gives Linda a unique ability to understand and communicate with people of all ages. Raising 17 puppies for The Seeing Eye and conducting training classes became her focus. Once she realized the profound effect she had training dogs and people, she began fostering and training rescue dogs. Receiving such satisfaction from saving dogs from unpleasant environments, correcting their resulting behavioral issues so they could become part of a harmonious family, Linda quickly realized she could be instrumental in helping dog lovers better enjoy their relationship with their dogs and vice versa. Her first love and talent became her career.

She and her husband currently reside in Newtown, PA with Kassidy, their 13-year old Golden Retriever, their 5-year-old rescued Newfoundland dog Midnight, and Puffin, a 9-year-young Newfoundland foster dog.