Hi! I’m Verena (she/her)!
I’m a multi-certified dog behavior consultant.
I help dogs heal from reactivity, fear, aggression and overstimulation.
I’ve crafted effective, ethical and evidence-based blueprints to help take your dog from out of control–to relaxed, focused and happy.
My work is a result of helping hundred of dogs and their guardians–and extensive study in the science of animal behavior.
When Ozy, a Husky/Heeler mix from a hoarding situation, joined my family, I knew I was in trouble…. Ozy spent his first month with me under the sofa, hiding in fear. He was terrified of the outside world.
Ohhhh boyyyy… I suddenly understood I would need to increase my skill set as a dog trainer.
By A LOT.
I dove deep into learning everything I could to help him feel safe and loved.
I earned multiple certifications on my way and worked with highly skilled local and virtual trainers to help Ozy and learn allllll the things in the process.
And our hard work paid off: Even though Ozy will never be a “normal” dog, he now has a happy and full life, which includes enriching and calm urban neighborhood walks, meeting new people, having low stress vet visits and playing with other dogs.
So yeah: I truly understand what it’s like living with a dog who struggles with the urban environment.
Now, I know precisely how to help dog guardians who struggle with triggers on walks, dog reactivity, vet phobia, fear of people and more have more a relaxed, predictable and enjoyable life with their beloved dog
And I want to guide you on your journey to reactivity recovery!
Verena’s Credentials - and What They Mean
Dog training is an unregulated industry, which means that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Reward Your Dog Training believes in continuing education and training to best serve you and your dog. Verena’s full “alphabet soup” is
= Verena Sutherland, M.Ed., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTRI, FDM
Phew, that’s a mouthful. What does all of this mean? Let’s demystify these letters!
Masters in Education (M. Ed.)
Though not directly linked to dog training, Verena still draws on her years of experience as a teacher as well as her Masters program for creating training plans, coaching clients, and communicating effectively.
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
This certification by the Council of Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT) requires 300+ hours of hands on experience working with fear, aggression, and reactivity in dogs as well as a written exam showing that Verena’s theoretical knowledge of the science behind reactivity is in depth and up to date.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
This certification, also by the CCPDT, has the prerequisite of 200+ hours of hands on experience and demonstrates that Verena’s knowledge of skills-focused dog training is current and thorough.
Karen Pryor Academy - Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
This rigorous certification program demonstrates mastery of the principles of positive reinforcement based training. Unlike the other certifications, it requires an in person component.
Certified Treat & Retreat Instructor (CTRI)
This certification focuses on a unique way to help socially shy and awkward dogs overcome their big feelings around humans.
Family Dog Mediator (FDM)
This certification shows that Verena has studied beyond the basics of dog training and can help families understand the dog in front of them based on genetics, personality, age and history, promoting a deeper knowledge of and empathy for the amazing being your dog is.
While certifications alone do not make a good trainer, they are at least an indicator of professional curiosity and a desire to use the best information possible - for science-backed, ethical, and effective training.
Certifications come with fun badges! Here’s my collection.
