"I had such an awesome experience w/ someone that is sooo talented in his field of work."
- Julie Sprung
About Chris Valdes
Chris brings his life-long passion of dogs together with proven training techniques that both you and your dog will enjoy. He is a student of many world-renowned dog trainers and in his spare time loves to study learning theory and the subject of aggression.
His vast experience in dog training includes: puppy foundation work, basic obedience, advance obedience, behavior modification, problem solving, Schutzhund, personal protection, competitive obedience, film work, and temperament testing. He is the speaker for the Be Free Dogs “Stop Excessive Barking” seminars and has done presentations for the animal science vocational program at the Arlington Career Center.
His ability to tailor training to your dog’s personality and temperament, coupled with effective training tools, will help you and your dog to live happily and harmoniously.
Education
Ø Constant and never ending improvement in the subject of Learning Theory, Aggression, Problem Solving
Ø Learning the most complete and latest dog training techniques from national and world-renowned dog trainers such as Mark McCabe, Lee Baragona, Bart Bellon, Butch Henderson, Ivan Balabanov, Debbie Zappia, Dean Calderon, T Floyd, Walter Kreipl, Frans Slaman, Stewart Hilliard Phd., and many more.
Ø Have extensively studied subjects such as rearing puppies, puppy foundation, drive building, obedience, competitive obedience, schutzhund, personal protection, clicker training, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, counter conditioning, escape conditioning, avoidance conditioning, desensitization, generalization, remote collar training, behavior modification, problem solving, scent work, pet tricks, etc.
Ø Have and continue to attend dog training seminars to stay current of new practices and techniques.
Ø Have had a great deal of practical experience in teaching individual and group classes.
Other Animal Experience
Handler, March 2006, Chris and Quincy receive their BH at the Commonwealth Working Dog Club Trial, Rosaryville State Park, MD
o Decoy, April 2005, K9/ Personal Protection Demonstration at the Roxie's Fund Tails on Trails 2K Walk, Silver Spring, MD
o Judge, February 2005, The Frostbite Winter Personal Protection Tournament (www.k9sts.com/frostbite/), Acton, Maine
O Training Advisor, March 2004 to present, Janet's Rescue and Noah’s Arc Rescue Group, was there to assist and discuss training with prospective adoptees.
o Second Place Protection, October 2004, Working Pit Bull Terrier Club of America Annual National Championship, Pomfret, MD
o Third Place Obedience, October 2004, Working Pit Bull Terrier Club of America Annual National Championship, Pomfret, MD
o Dog Training Advisor, 2004, STARBUCKS' Doggie Day, Lake Ridge, VA
o Speaker, 2003, Stop Excessive Barking Seminar, Rolling Brook Community -- Lake Ridge, VA
o Speaker, 2003—Animal Science Program: Leading the Junior and Senior Students in establishing self-employment in the animal care profession, Arlington Career Center, Arlington, VA
o Trial Schutzhund Helper, Common Wealth Working Dog Club trial, 2002, club trial helper work for the SchH1 dogs.
