By Jennifer Stasinos

 

  I have been in business for 7 years now and still learning.  I had already graduated from a top dog trainer’s school back in 1997 but times keep changing and you will be left in the dust if you don’t keep up.  Modern E-collar Training was developed and when I got wind of it I was very intrigued.  I attended a workshop and was hooked, to say the least.  I started to apply the basics to my existing method and was very impressed with the fast, reliable results that I was getting.  My clients also noticed the benefits and wanted to train solely with the e-collar.  I wanted to start offering e-collar programs but I wanted to be certified in Modern E-collar Training.  I feel that is important to have as much accurate information as possible when you, as a professional, are teaching the general public. 

 

  I started researching schools specializing in the modern techniques of e-collar training.  For me, the length of the course was a concern because I have small children and can’t be away for too long, but I didn’t want to settle for less.  I was on Martin Deeley’s website and came across his International School for Dog Trainers and his course for Certification in Remote E-collar Training.   My first reaction was “How great would it be to learn from a legend in the training world!”  In reading over the course content, I quickly realized that Martin was offering an intense and complete curriculum in only one week and for a very reasonable price.  This was just what I needed.  I didn’t waste any time.  I e-mailed Martin and made all the arrangements.

 

  The time finally came and I was on my way.  After a long, cold winter in New Hampshire, what a bonus that Martin lives in Florida!  I get there and give a call to the Deeley house and was invited to dine with Martin and his family.  What wonderful and warm people they all are.  I was welcomed into Martin’s house from day one.  Any nervousness I had in meeting Martin and his wife Pat quickly went away and I settled in immediately.

 

  Each day when I arrived I was greeted with a full day of training and learning.  Whether we were working the dogs or sitting and talking about training, there was so much information to digest.  A real bonus was learning the mechanics of training gun dogs using the e-collar.  This is a new and exciting area for me and it was amazing to see how the same tactics apply also to obedience training.  

  Martin is an amazing teacher and was able to answer all my questions as well as show me how to apply my new skills in a practical manner.  Having the opportunity to watch Martin in action with his clients was extremely helpful.  Just knowing how to talk to and interact with clients is a big part of this business and it is an invaluable skill.  Martin gave me confidence in what I know and say and how I teach it.  Pat also answered so many of my questions that I thought she might collapse from exhaustion!  What a great team they make.

 

  After spending a week walking in Martin’s shadow, I found that he is more than a legend but a man with an amazing gift to not only teach but to listen and give as much of himself as he can, so the rest of us can be all the better for it.  I am proud to call him my friend and mentor.  It was a privilege for me to be able to train with Martin.  Everyone should be as lucky as I was.  It was more than an experience it is a great memory.  

  Thank you to Martin, Pat and all the great people I got to meet and get to know while I was there.  I will be back someday.