Char Turner, LVT, BS, CTDI, CSCC Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach, AKC Fit Dog Instructor
Private Lessons: https://dogsontheball.com/private-lessons/
Current classes: https://dogsontheball.com/current-class-offerings-and-updates/
Our Facility: https://dogsontheball.com/our-training-facility/
“It is paramount to know the difference in what will make them and what will break them, emotionally and physically. I teach humane best practices for dogs to feel safe and confident in learning, with mutual trust between dogs and their human and joy in the process.”
WHY train? For the love of dogs! The bond that grows through thoughtful, supportive training is truly a gift. Contributing to a dog’s quality of life in this way is a great joy that I love to share with others. My hope for anyone is that they appreciate their dogs for who they are and enrich their lives with appropriate training and activities.
WHAT do I offer? Enrichment by definition is “the act or process of improving the quality of something by adding something else”(Cambridge English dictionary). As a trainer, my goal is to enrich the lives of dogs and the canine human bond. To this end I consider four core areas of training to be universally beneficial and adaptable for any dog, and this is what I offer as an instructor.
Private lessons in any of my programs are available, details below. Contact: dogsontheball@gmail.com
- Focus First! – This is where the learning begins. Learning how to learn-any dog can improve their focus and ability to learn! With the priority on positive emotional response your dog will love training and learning with you. Focus is the foundation of foundations-without it learning can’t happen, at least not in the way you intend it to! Private lessons by appt.
- Canine Fitness – As a Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC) I am trained in canine fitness program design and can provide customized training to meet your dog’s needs. I am also certified AKC Level 3 Fit Dog Instructor administrator of our local area AKC Fit Dog Club. I offer local classes and workshops for all levels. I also offer private lessons for couch potatoes to sport competitors. The benefits of fitness training bridges all activities, whether the goal for your dog is improved function for daily activities, senior mobility, or competitive sports. Fitness training includes exercises for strength and overall conditioning, skills for body awareness, building trust and confidence, and having FUN!
- Cooperative Care-as a licensed veterinary technician and judge for the Fenzi TEAM Cooperative Care certificate program, this is close to my heart. Husbandry and health care can be trained with emotional wellbeing and trust that benefits not only your dog, but everyone else involved. I highly recommend this training. Offered as private lessons only.
- Scent Sports Enrichment –Because all dogs can benefit from scent training, I offer Content To Scent , an adaptive training program for sensitive and environmentally challenged dogs. This program offers training that builds confidence, motivation and focus when you want to take scent activities on the road for expanded enrichment, or if you are training or trialing and your dog struggles with novel environments. Private lessons and occasional workshops.
HOW do I train? My mantra for training is “Acknowledge the dog’s needs and the training goals become clear”. That means I break things down as needed for the individual dog and teach at a pace conducive to learning for both dog and handler. I teach specific delivery markers using food and/or toy rewards with emphasis on clear communication. I prioritize the dog’s wellbeing with a positive, optimistic approach that supports learning and trust between dog and handler. I offer progress goals for success and a plan to help you get there!
About: Char Turner is certified by NC State College of Veterinary Medicine as a Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC). She is an approved AKC Fit Dog Instructor (all levels), Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), AKC Trick Dog Evaluator and AKC Farm Dog Certified Judge. She is a Founding Charter Member of National Association of Treibball Enthusiasts (NATE) and retired NATE Treibball judge. She served for 6 years as online teaching assistant to Dr. Deb Jones of Fenzi Dog Sport Academy, and 3 years as judge for the Fenzi TEAM Cooperative Care certificate program. Char is also a licensed veterinary technician (retired).
Education: AAS Animal Husbandry, AAS Veterinary Technology, BS in Health Science (Animal Health Promotion and Management), and CSCC from NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach).
Continuing Education: Char is an avid lifelong learner and continues her education in animal health, behavior and training . She stays current by taking courses, workshops and seminars through Clicker Expo, Fenzi Dog Sport Academy, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and many other sources from leading professionals in the field. Major influence past and present has come from the teachings of professional animal behaviorists and trainer educators such as Dr. Deb Jones, Pat Miller, Denise Fenzi, Leslie McDevitt, Michele Pouliot, Julie Daniels, Ken Ramirez, Kay Laurence, Shade Whitesel, Kamal Fernandez, Sharon Carroll, Grisha Stewart, the late John Rogerson and many others. See CV here
Background: See more about My Dogs here. Char trained her first competition dog, a Great Pyrenees, in AKC obedience and conformation as a high school student. She continued training in obedience and competing with her variety of dogs off and on through the years- in between training her horses, raising sheep and working as a veterinary technician. In this scenario Char also trained several working farm dogs. Through the years Char has trained in different sports and organizations including obedience, rally, agility, tricks, treibball and parkour. One of her mixed breeds, “Little Miss Dynamite Abby” was one of the first two All Americans in AKC history to earn the Obedience Versatility title. Char’s current training partners are “Flash” (Whippet) and “Wilkie” (Cirneco dell Etna x Whippet). They train for enrichment in canine fitness, scent sports, and cooperative care.
Dogs On The Ball 