Pia's Qualifications
Pia has been a professional dog trainer since 1992. She specializes in fear and aggression and is considered and respected as an authority in the field by her own peers. Pia has appeared as an expert witness in dog mauling and aggression cases. In July, 2003 she was interviewed by the San Diego North County Times in connection with a mauling death of a 1 year old girl. And in September the same year she was interviewed by Mark de la Vina of the San Jose Mercury News on animal behavior. Pia has also appeared as a guest on local TV, Channel 26 where she was interviewed on the program Discover Dogs about dog aggression. The Doberman Pincher Club of Northern California invited her as a guest speaker on dog aggression at the club's annual meeting in July 2002. Pia teaches all the Grumpy Pup classes at K-9 Insight.
In January 2002 she graduated from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers where she earned her Counseling Certificate. The Academy provides a comprehensive and leading edge education to dog trainers and behavior counselors. Animal learning and motivation, operant and classical conditioning, dog behavior, behavior problems, aggression, clicker training, obedience progressions and class structure are but a few of the subjects studied. Headed by renowned dog trainer and lecturer Jean Donaldson, author of bestsellers "The Culture Clash" and "Dogs Are From Neptune," the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers -- commonly referred to as the Harvard for dog trainers -- is recognized as one of the best sources in the country for continuing education in canine behavior and training.
In September 2003, Pia had the opportunity to be one of the few people to spend a whole day with a team of professional dolphin trainers in Orlando, Florida. During this day she observed the "behind the scenes" operation - basic care, feeding, training, etc. - and was also given the chance to work and swim with the dolphins!
 Pia training "Bird" to roll a broom stick. |
In September 2001 Pia's training "went to the chickens" when she spent four days at the International Behavior & Training Camp for Advanced Operant Conditioning Learning & Training in Port Angeles, Washington.
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In October 2002, Pia earned her Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) designation, the first nationally recognized accreditation for dog trainers. She passed an extensive written examination to become one of 304 trainers in the United States to have earned this title. In addition, Pia is also an AKC approved and registered Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator.
Besides working with and training dogs, Pia is very committed to her canines
being safe and healthy. In May 2003, after an intensive 4-day course, she
received her First Aid and CPR Instructor Certification
from Pet Tech, the first nationally recognized training center of its kind.
She is now instructing other pet owners, pet sitters
and doggie daycare staff what to do to prevent accidents and injuries, and
what to do if an emergency strikes.
Background | Continuing Education | Professional Memberships