About Siw

My name is Siw (pronounced “Seev”) Lea. I have been an avid animal lover for as long as I can remember. I’ve been hooked on dog training since I trained my first dog, a Sheltie named Missy, at the age of 12.

 

I pursued my passion by attending the West Virginia Canine College, graduating in March 1988 as a certified Dog Trainer/Kennel Manager. I have been helping people professionally with their dogs ever since. During the interim years, I have trained dogs and taught their owners how to handle them, taught private lessons and group classes on my own as well as group classes for a community college. I also helped instruct agility classes for five years and was an assistant 4-H Leader for two years. I decided to specialize in puppy training in 2001 and have taught group puppy socialization classes and private lessons since then.

 

In April 2012, I graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior as a Certified Training Partner. To further my skills as a puppy trainer, I completed the KPA Puppy Start Right course in December 2014. I earned my CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) designation in 2018 and a Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington in 2019. I am also an AKC approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a National Association of Canine Scent Work judge, and a Certified Fear Free Professional Trainer (See below for my certifications and memberships).

 

I use and teach scientifically proven, positive, reinforcement-based training techniques, including clicker training.  I believe that one can never know enough about training and am always seeking ways to further my knowledge and skills by continuously attending conferences, seminars, workshops, online classes, etc. In addition to my dog training certifications, I have a BS and MS in Forestry and I also served in the US Coast Guard.

 

I have trained my own dogs in obedience and Schutzhund and competed in agility and conformation. Prior to her retirement, I trained and handled my German Shepherd, Uki (pronounced "Yookie") as a certified Human Remains Detection Dog.  We were members of Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit and later the Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue Unit.  We were certified in Obedience and as a Cadaver Dog Team with the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA). My husband and I rescued Lhotse, a street dog from Taiwan in January 2021. She was 8 months old and terrified of everything when she first arrived, but, with lots of patience and hard work, she has come a long way and is turning into a happy, confident, and playful dog. In April 2022, we added Fly, an Australian Koolie, to the family.  She is a sweet, super smart bundle of energy that loves to train and is keeping me on my toes!  See photos of her and my other pups on the right.

 

My husband and I moved to Bellingham, WA, our forever home, in July 2016. I offer Day Training, Private Lessons, Puppy Consultations and AKC CGC Training and Evaluation services to the Bellingham and surrounding areas.

 

I feel that foundation training and socialization done early in a dog’s life is the most important of all because with a solid beginning, you'll be on the right path to leading happy, enjoyable, and productive lives together. With 30 years of experience as a certified professional dog trainer, I can help you raise a wonderful companion for your family!

 

Memberships & Certifications:

 

 

                                Karen Pryor Academy

                                www.clickertraining.com

                                Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner

 

 

 

                                      Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers

                                      http://www.ccpdt.org/

                                 Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed

 

 

 

                                University Of Washington

                                Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior

 

 

 

 

                                TAGTeach

                                 https://tagteach.com/TAGteach-for-Dog-Trainers/

                                TagTeach Level 1 Instructor

 

 

 

 

                                National Association of Canine Scent Work

                                www.nacsw.net

                                Nosework Judge

 

 

 

 

                                Fear Free Pets

                                www.fearfreepets.com

                                Fear Free Certified Trainer

 

 

 

                                American Kennel Club AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

                                www.akc.org/dog-owners/training/canine-good-citizen/

                                Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

 

 

 

                                Association of Professional Dog Trainers

                                www.apdt.com

                               Professional Member

 

 

 

 

                                     Master Course - Agression in Dogs Certificate

                                https://aggressivedog.thinkific.com/courses/aggression-in-dogs

                                Certified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puppy training, canine training, dog training in Bellingham, Washington and serve Whatcom and Skagit counties and  surrounding areas, including Blaine, Burlington, Everson, Ferndale, Linden, and Mt. Vernon.

 

Siw and Uki

With Uki after a search in Idaho

Being lowered into tunnels
for a training search

Siw with Uki and Lhotse at the beach

Lhotse

Siw and Fly

Siw and Fly

Fly with a favorite toy