Char Turner, LVT, BS, CSCC, CTDI, Trainer/Instructor

Current classes at Love On A Leash: https://dogsontheball.com/current-class-offerings-and-updates/

“It is paramount to know the difference in what will make them and what will break them, emotionally and physically. What I won’t do is compromise the dog for the sake of a human goal. What I WILL do is implement a process that supports learning with progress goals and a plan to get there with a dog who has trust in a positively conditioned relationship.”

WHY train? For the love of dogs! The bond that deepens with thoughtful, supportive training is truly a gift, and contributing to a dog’s quality of life in that way is a great joy that I love sharing with others. My hope for anyone sharing their life with dogs is that they appreciate their dogs for who they are, enrich their lives with appropriate training and activities, and build a trusting, mutually rewarding relationship in the process.
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 enrichment for the life of my dogs and our relationship. This includes four core areas of training that I consider to be universally beneficial and adaptable for any dog, and this is what I offer as an instructor. Details below.
Private lessons in any of my programs are available. 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 and workshops.
• Canine Fitness – As a Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach and AKC Fit Dog Instructor Level 3 Certified, I am trained in canine fitness program design and can provide customized training to meet your dog’s needs. I offer local classes and workshops for all levels and specialized and advanced coaching in Fit Dog Cohort groups and private sessions. The benefits of fitness training transcends 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 encourage and support this training and offer coaching for anyone interested in pursuing this goal. Private lessons.
• 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. I also offer training for Shed Hunt and Lost Item Recovery. Private lessons, classes, or workshop format

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 toy rewards with emphasis on engagement and clear communication between dog and handler. I prioritize the dog’s wellbeing with positive, optimistic approach throughout. What I will not do is use, or support the use of, punishment, force or aversives. I also will not pressure a dog into anything before they are ready or compromise the best interest of that dog as an individual. What I DO is implement a process to support learning and growth with a positive relationship between dog and handler, including progress goals and a plan to help get you there. A happy, willing dog with a happy human partner is the goal!
About: Char is a CSCC, certified by NC State College of Veterinary Medicine as a Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach. She is an authorized AKC Fit Dog Instructor (all levels), Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), AKC Trick Dog Evaluator and AKC Farm Dog Certified Judge. She is a Charter and Founding Member of National Association of Treibball Enthusiasts (NATE) and retired NATE Treibball judge. She currently serves as online teaching assistant to Dr. Deb Jones of Fenzi Dog Sport Academy, and is a 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: As an avid learner with a lifelong passion for animals, Char continues professional education by attending  Clicker Expo,  Fenzi Dog Sport Academy, and many other current and cutting edge seminars and workshops by leading professionals in the field. Major inspiration past and present has come from Dr. Deb Jones, Pat Miller, Denise Fenzi, Leslie McDevitt, Michele Pouliot, Julie Daniels, Ken Ramirez, Kay Laurence, Shade Whitesel, Kamal Fernandez, Sharon Carroll, the late John Rogerson and many others. More details here: curriculum vitae

Background: Char trained her first competition dog, a Great Pyrenees, in AKC obedience as a high school student many years ago. She continued training and competing with her various dogs off and on through the years, when she wasn’t training and competing with horses or busy raising and showing her flock of purebred sheep, simultaneously working in veterinary practice. In this scenario there naturally were a few working farm dogs as well!
Char has trained and competed with a variety of dogs in different sports and organizations including AKC, UKC, CDSP, and more. Her current training partners are her whippet, “Flash”, and Cirneco dell Etna x Whippet, “Wilkie”. See more about Char’s dogs here.
She has been teaching various sports and foundations since 2011. These days Char is focused on training for enrichment and wellbeing, specializing in areas that are beneficial and appropriate for a dog’s lifetime.
Outside of dog training, Char maintained a long career as a licensed vet tech in mixed animal practice. She later worked in veterinary research as projects manager and then laboratory manager at a local community college, from which she is now retired.

Contact: dogsontheball@gmail.com

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