Melinda Harvey
Melinda has been involved with dogs since 1993, actively competing in conformation, agility, obedience, and water sports, with additional training in K9 scent work and rally. Her Redwoods Portuguese Water Dog Kennel is well recognized for producing quality working dogs with lovely temperaments for home and competition.
Kokopelli Dog Training is the name of her training business. She has been teaching dog agility, puppy and basic dog manners, and water work for 21 years. She works privately with dog owners on problem areas including leash reactivity, and dog/dog aggression and teach group classes.
She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Professional level member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). APDT is an organization that promotes the training of dogs through positive reinforcement. Additionally she is an approved mentor for several online dog trainer programs; the Animal Behavioral College and CATCH. I am an AKC Agility Judge, Emeritus, AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator and certified in Canine and Feline First Aid. She is currently working with Suzanne Clothier to be certified in CARAT, (Clothier Animal Response Assessment Tool), a test which more accurately profiles dogs so that you can develop a placement and training plan for that individual animal.
Her emphasis in dog training is on the relationship between the dog and the handler, and the communication skills required to achieve a good working relationship. Whether the goal is just a well mannered/behaved dog or to pursue various dog sports, such as agility, obedience, tracking, water, and hunting, or have a working partner as in therapy or search and rescue, all of these require a bond between the dog and handler. Her goal is to help the owner establish that bond and then go on to learn how to train for the many other possibilities. This means working and rewarding the dog for the desired behaviors, playing and most importantly exercising and socializing the dog. She is a good problem solver with a keen understanding of my canine and human students, and able to offer individual assessment and possible solutions to problems. She teaches with special emphasis on individual team needs and always lots of fun!
Over the years she has taught for many dog training clubs, canine camps and traveled the country teaching seminars and judging agility trials.
Previous teaching experience includes instructor for Four Paws Only, Port Chester Obedience Club, Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club, Skyline Agility Club of Northern New Jersey, Canine Sports Center in Goshen, CT, Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club and The Good Dog Spot in Bloomfield, CT. I have taught at many specialized camps, including Camp Gone to the Dogs - Agility/Freestyle Camp, Three Dogs Running Watersports Camp, Clean Run Agility Camp, Competitive Edge Sports Camp and The Dog’s Camp.
Kokopelli Dog Training is the name of her training business. She has been teaching dog agility, puppy and basic dog manners, and water work for 21 years. She works privately with dog owners on problem areas including leash reactivity, and dog/dog aggression and teach group classes.
She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Professional level member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). APDT is an organization that promotes the training of dogs through positive reinforcement. Additionally she is an approved mentor for several online dog trainer programs; the Animal Behavioral College and CATCH. I am an AKC Agility Judge, Emeritus, AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator and certified in Canine and Feline First Aid. She is currently working with Suzanne Clothier to be certified in CARAT, (Clothier Animal Response Assessment Tool), a test which more accurately profiles dogs so that you can develop a placement and training plan for that individual animal.
Her emphasis in dog training is on the relationship between the dog and the handler, and the communication skills required to achieve a good working relationship. Whether the goal is just a well mannered/behaved dog or to pursue various dog sports, such as agility, obedience, tracking, water, and hunting, or have a working partner as in therapy or search and rescue, all of these require a bond between the dog and handler. Her goal is to help the owner establish that bond and then go on to learn how to train for the many other possibilities. This means working and rewarding the dog for the desired behaviors, playing and most importantly exercising and socializing the dog. She is a good problem solver with a keen understanding of my canine and human students, and able to offer individual assessment and possible solutions to problems. She teaches with special emphasis on individual team needs and always lots of fun!
Over the years she has taught for many dog training clubs, canine camps and traveled the country teaching seminars and judging agility trials.
Previous teaching experience includes instructor for Four Paws Only, Port Chester Obedience Club, Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club, Skyline Agility Club of Northern New Jersey, Canine Sports Center in Goshen, CT, Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club and The Good Dog Spot in Bloomfield, CT. I have taught at many specialized camps, including Camp Gone to the Dogs - Agility/Freestyle Camp, Three Dogs Running Watersports Camp, Clean Run Agility Camp, Competitive Edge Sports Camp and The Dog’s Camp.
