Meet Laurie Luck, CPDT

I'm Laurie Luck, founder of Smart Dog University, and I've been helping dogs and their owners since 1994.

I choose to work with dog lovers because I understand how frustrating it can be to have a dog that you'd like to spend time with, but don't know how to get your dog to listen.

Smart Dog University, LLC represents over a decade
of learning - specializing in how to teach dogs and their people how to work together. I love what I do and have developed many happy friendships, both canine and human, along the way.

• I am the only Maryland Certified Karen Pryor Training Partner.
  
  
• I am a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), as well as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).
  
  
• I am Vice President of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), an international testing and certification program for professional pet dog trainers. CCPDT's certification program is based on humane training practices and the latest scientific knowledge related to dog training. Competence and continued growth in training practices is promoted through the recertification of qualified professionals.
  
  
• I raise and train service dogs for Service Dogs of Virginia, a Charlottesville, Virginia based non-profit organization dedicated to providing service dogs to assist people with disabilities. Their goal is to help individuals in wheelchairs or with mobility impairment become more independent.
  
  
• I am an AKC -Approved Canine Good Citizen evaluator and am qualified to judge the Canine Good Citizen test.
  
  
• I attend national dog behavior conferences annually, as well as local and national dog training and behavior seminars, workshops and classes so that my clients benefit from cutting edge tools and research.

With a master's degree in Psychology from George Mason University, I have a solid understanding of how learning occurs. That knowledge helps me teach people how to teach their dogs. The end result is a dog-human team that work well together.

I am a full and contributing member of the dog training community and can introduce my clients to the professional and ethical standards, and to the vast network of contacts and resources available through my professional membership status.

The dogs have taught me more than I could ever teach them and I learn from them everyday.

Lucky

A dog only a trainer could love, Lucky was rescued from a shelter when he was 1.5 years old. He had many problem behaviors that prevented him from living in a normal household. Through many years of training, patience, and behavior modification, he is mellowing into a nice dog. He is the patriarch of the house and teaches all the service dog puppies proper dog-to-dog manners.

Rocky
Working Service Dog

Our very first service dog puppy, Rocky holds a special place in my heart. He is outgoing, friendly, and loves to work in public. He's never met a dog or person that he doesn't like. Rocky's new family loves him dearly and he is much a part of the family as the humans. He comes back regularly for vacations when his family travels.

Lily
Pet Dog

The second service dog puppy turned out to not like life in the public domain. She's much more comfortable staying at home, warming up the couch. She's quite the athlete, and loves to run and play with the new puppies. She's firmly attached to Laurie's husband and is not shy about it -- she can usually be found curled up at his feet or asleep in his lap.

Tango
Pet Dog

Tango was dismissed due to elbow displasia. While he shows no physical symptoms, his x-rays indicate that in the future he may have some arthritis. Laurie's favorite (shhh, don't tell the others), Tango enjoys traveling with her to conferences and being Smart Dog University's demo dog for Orientation classes. He also is the athlete of the pack, in tip-top physical condition from chasing the tennis ball (endlessly!) every day.

Nemo
Pet Dog

It was clear at nine months that Nemo wasn't service dog material. We first tried to find Nemo a good home, but in the end we just couldn't let the goofy boy go. He provides comic relief and is definitely the silliest of the pack. Still a puppy at heart, even though he's two years old, he's by far the most playful of the pack. Usually Laurie's out in the yard, chasing him or being chased by him!

Honeydew
Service Pup #5

A real looker (with brains to boot!) Honeydew has returned to Service Dogs of Virginia for her next level of training. Everyone who met Doodle fell in love with those big brown eyes! I check in with the agency regularly to see how our girl is doing and the reports are good -- she's learning quickly and has a great chance of making it through the program.

Honeydew's return to SDV means that we are without a service dog in training for the first time in six years! It's a bit sad. I'm taking the time to get reacquainted with my own dogs and am finally able to give them the attention (and training!) they so desperately need. We hope to get another service pup in early 2008.