Sarah Becker
KPA CTP, CNWI, NACSW Trial and ORT Judge,USCSS Judge, TTouch® P1
Professional Certifications & Memberships:
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) 2013 graduate
Certified K9 Nose Work® Instructor (CNWI) 2016 graduate
NACSW Trial and ORT Judge (National Association of Canine Scent Work) current
USCSS Trial Judge (United States Canine Scent Sports) current
Longstanding member of The Pet Professional Guild (supports force free training) 2012
Tellington TTouch® Practitioner, Companion Animals p1. 2014 graduate
Why Work With Sarah?
Mr. Pickles loved nose work
Sarah has first-hand experience observing and training dogs of all ages, sizes, temperaments, breeds, and backgrounds. For nearly two decades, she has worked at two different Humane Society facilities as an employee and animal control clerk (7 years), behavior technician(4 years). As a volunteer and employee, she worked closely with shelter dogs and the Veterinarians, trained dogs and other volunteers. Sarah was certified for ASPCA SAFER® behavior assement evaluations and for served 4 years as team leader at a large animal shelter. She also implemented the Open Paw Shelter Training Program, training dogs to be calm and learn adoptable behaviors thru training. She has fostered and socialized numerous litters of puppies and dogs over the years. In 2021, Sarah fostered a litter of 9 puppies. In 2020 she was asked to foster a human/ dog aggressive/resource guarding 5 month old puppy that was so abused the police removed him from the home. After 6 months of intense work and 2 years of ongoing training he is now a more social pup. In 2019, Sarah was asked by two Western Washington Rescues to assess and train foster dogs in her area and provide long term training with a guardian. The rescue dogs are from Asia and transports from across the US. In 2018 Sarah adopted a stray teen transfer from Kauai Humane. Pono had never lived in doors and was terrified of doorways, floors and bikes, he also had severe resource guarding and jumping/biting issues. Training takes years to build the trust of an undersocialized animal. Pono is a natural with other dogs. He now helps worried/reactive dogs play with confidence. Nose work has helped build his confidence and independence. In 2018 Sarah was invited to give a bite prevention workshop to a county health dept. In 2015 she partnered with Dove House Advocacy Services to implement the SAF-T program to shelter animals and families together. Sarah is proud to be an official volunteer at the Humane Society and an on-call volunteer trainer for Dove House Advocacy Services. She continues to teach Tellington TTouch® to students of the aquatic therapy program thru La Paw Spa (which is now MerMutts) in Sequim, WA
Behavior Rehabilitation Specialist. Sarah has always been passionate about working with and learning about animals, from dogs, cats, and horses. At an early age, she began riding horses. She trained and showed in Hunters and Jumpers, receiving multiple championships. She also taught young students. After receiving her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and working in the arts for many years, Sarah had an opportunity to take a job at a local animal shelter. Sarah began working closely with fearful, reactive, and unsocialized dogs. These dogs required a lot of patience, and she learned quickly that each dog is unique. Sarah is skilled at recognizing canine behavior concerns based on thousands of hours observing, training and the validation of shelter adoption successes and disappointments. Ongoing education and involvement with nationally recognized organizations that promote training without the use of pain, fear and intimidation are a priority in her life. Transparency in training methodology is important when choosing a trainer.
Modern and Effective Dog Training Methods
Animal training techniques are constantly improving, as our understanding of dog behavior becomes more sophisticated. Sarah understands that there are frustrations and joys when developing a relationship with an animal. She is committed to continuous education, and has studied with some of the most well-respected dog trainers and behavior specialists in the industry such as Mike Shikashio, Ron Gaunt, Jill Marie O’Brien, Amy Herot, Chirag Patel, Sara McLoudrey, Ken Ramirez, Nan Aurthur, Pat Miller, Dr. Sophia Yin, Nicole Wilde, Kathy Cascade and Linda Tellington Jones. The picture here shows when Sarah attended Dogs of Course instructor training course with Sue Sternberg and Pia Silvani. Sarah was chosen by her peers as the recipient of the “Inspiration Award,” an honor for the student who shows extraordinary quality or dedication. Full CV here.
