Amanda Kowalski, CPDT-KA, Trainer
Amanda awarded the Association of Pet Dog Trainer's Premier Shelter Worker Award! Read more here.
Amanda Kowalski, CPDT-KA, began working with dogs ten years ago as a Junior Volunteer with the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. Her
desire to work with animals followed her to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she received a B.S. in Animal Science.
While at U of I, she was given the opportunity to study abroad with Dr. Roger Abrantes which solidified her passion for the field of
behavior and training. After graduation, Amanda returned to the Anti-Cruelty Society, where she worked as an Animal Behavior and
Training Assistant in their Behavior and Training Department. Most notably, Amanda developed a shelter enrichment program beneficial to
the dogs, staff, volunteers, and the community. In 2010, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers recognized her as the Primer Shelter Staff
Member of the Year for her program and dedication to shelter animals.
Amanda is our trainer that focuses on providing clients with an alternative to boarding through Sit and Trains. Her clients have found
that the comfort of having an experienced certified trainer stay with their dog while they are out of town is well worth it. Amanda
also provides clients with a hybrid version of dog walking through our Walk and Train service. This service allows our client’s dogs an
additional outlet for mental and physical stimulation. Additionally, Amanda provides veterinary clinics and community centers with
educational workshops and lectures on a variety of topics relating to dog behavior and training.
Her dedication and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for dogs and educating her community is shown through her drive to continue
her own education in the veterinary and behavioral sciences.
Amanda Kowalski
Seminars
- The Evolution of Canine Social Behavior & The Brave New World of Dog Training with Dr. Roger Abrantes (May 2011)
- Positive Gun Dog Training: Jim Barry (2010)
- The Well-Behaved Dog: Dr. Nicolas Dodman (2010)
- Feline Aggression and Elimination: Dr. John Ciribassi (2010)
- Evolution and Natural History of Dogs/Wolf Handling: Ray Coppinger/ Pat Goodman(2009)
- Canine Anxiety and Pharmacology: Dr. John Ciribassi (2009)
- Dominance, Fighting & Biting, Compliance & Punishment, Constraints on Learning, and Raising the Bar in Dog Training: Ian Dunbar (2009)
- Dog Cognition and Training, Evolution, and Domestication: Jean Donaldson (2009)
- Canine Aggression and Protocols: John Rogerson and Sue Sternberg (2008)
- Advanced Animal Training and SMAF: Dr. Roger Abrantes (2007)
About Amanda's Sitting & Training:
I can't tell you who is happier to have Amanda as a trainer, us or the dogs. She has taught us so much about working with our reactive dogs. It used to be a
nightmare taking them on walks, but they are so much better after working with Amanda. Well really, we are ALL a lot better after working with Amanda.
We are no longer the neighborhood nightmare and our reactive dogs actually have other dog 'friend's'.
Going away on long trips wouldn't be possible if we didn't have Amanda staying with our dogs in our home. She is a wonderful animal caregiver and has become our friend too.
Jo Ellen O. and her dogs Nikki and Versace
We had Amanda Walk & Train our Lab Otis. She was great with him. The service provided a much needed outlet for our very active dog.
It provided both the excercise he needed AND the added bonus of her working with him in his training as well. Amanda was great with
Otis. She demonstrated how knowledgable she is with dogs and offered advice for us to work on with Otis on our walks based on what she
observed. I highly recommend Amanda and the walking service offered.
Lisa N. and her dog Otis
Amanda's calm demeanor and obvious love of dogs makes us very comfortable to leave our dog in her care when we are out of town.
In obedience class, Amanda has a quiet leadership the dogs respond very well to.
Dawn H. and her dog Boullee
