Our Qualifications
Libby, CPDT-KA, Lead Trainer
Real Life Education
Like many professional dog trainers, I began my path as a dog trainer by training my own dogs, all of which had "behavior issues": jumping, fear, aggression (dog to dog aggression and dog to human aggression), separation anxiety and more. My 20 years of experience of dog sitting, volunteering at shelters & rescue organizations, and training other people how to train their dog refined those skills. I have worked with a huge range of individual dogs of all breeds, backgrounds and behaviors. I trained my first two service dogs
Learning the Lingo
I'm a knowledge junkie: if something is interesting to me, I will research, read and study everything I can get my hands on. Stacks of books, scholarly articles, dog professional websites, documentaries, dog science and health news, blogs, videos ...the list goes on and on. I am constantly searching for the new tips and tricks to train your dog.
Credentials
Proof is in the paper: I hold a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed certification. The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers is the only independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. They also hold high standards for professional conduct and require continuing education for renewal every 3 years.
I am a Professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. The APDT creates and maintains superior industry standards and provides continuing education.
Teaching Humans
Most of my clients figure out in the first session or two that I am not training their dog, I am teaching the human! With a background in adult and child education, language, and psychology, I translate the fancy dog trainer lingo into easy-to-understand examples. I am sensitive to the individual learning style of my clients, and customize training for those who learn differently.
University of Arizona 2010
Bachelor of Arts in English,
Minor in Education
Across Diverse Cultures
Tools
I have used just about every tool out there: Regular old leashes, clickers, flirt poles, long lines, head halters, body harnesses, slip leads, martingales, pinch collars, e-collars and more. I will be the first one to tell you that there is no magic tool. Some dogs respond beautifully on just a plain collar. Other dogs, and some humans, need a stronger tool. I explore tools that match you AND your dog to find the gentlest and most effective tool.
We do not need to use e-collars, pinch collars, slip leads, "leash pops" or other not-so-nice methods to teach our fur kids. I will show you how.
Dog Health
Boy oh boy, I have quite the list of experiences with dog health and medical issues! I can administer oral or injected medications, provide post-surgical and wound care, and administer basic pet first aid. I always invite my clients to ask me "Should I be worried about...." (and I always defer to your veterinarian!).
I also have human CPR certification and Wilderness First Aid certification, just in case. Let's do the "blood, sweat and tears" part, but without the blood, please!
Insured
We carry professional and general liability insurance through Business Insurers of the Carolinas, a partner of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.
There is no licensing for dog trainers, but we are registered with the State of Utah and South Salt Lake to conduct business.
Our Teachers
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Zan is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.
Teacher Steph, CPDT-KA
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Steph adopted Biscotti, a dachshund pup with a long bite history and immediately dove into the training world. Steph came to Superhero Dog as a client, but her work with Biscotti was so transformative that we knew she was meant to be a trainer. Steph does many of our training walks and field trips.
Steph got her first dog, Mater, at age 11 but he was unsocialized and highly reactive. As a young person, she didn't know how to train him so she became his protective bubble. That is an unfortunate stress for the humans who love reactive dogs. Because of these experiences, Steph has a special love for dogs who may be a bite risk.
Steph is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.
Teacher Kali, CPDT-KA
Teacher Zan, CPDT-KA "Fairy Godmother"
Teacher Kali, CPDT-KA
Kaliis a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.
Teacher Tabi
Teacher Tabi
Teacher Kali, CPDT-KA
Lil
Teacher Tabi
Dolly
Lil Lavender's Song:
Lil' Lily Lavender
Sweet as a pea
Just as smart as she can be.
Pretty as a pansy
Tougher than a rose
We all won the puppy lottery!
Lil is an Australian Cattle Dog muttly mutt. We adopted her at 8 weeks old from Rescue Rovers. We just happened to bring her home the week of Coronoapocalypse (didn't plan that!). She loves her 85 talking buttons (and counting!) , running 20mph next to the bike, and "Play Eat" (a.k.a. training!).
Dolly
Teacher Tabi
Dolly
Dolly is a cattle dog, born on a cattle farm to work. And she loooooves to work! She is the ultimate helper dog on the playground. She is able to read any dog's body language and changes her behavior to match the other dog. She is impressively obedient in public but a menace at home. Dolly loves ball, food, cuddles and her big sister.
Oh, and Dolly can't hear you. She's deaf.
Proudly Queer, Woman and Locally Owned
We are proud to be a Salt Lake City local, queer and woman-owned LGBTQ+ business. We support BIPOC, and strive for racial justice. We adapt our methods to support people with disabilities. We recruit employees from diverse populations: physical or mental disabilities, neurodiverse, socio-economically disadvantaged, unhoused, addiction recovery and more. If you are an open-minded person, you are always welcomed into our “pack”!