Welcome to Evolution Dog Training!
My passion is to provide high-quality dog training and behavior services by coaching you and your dog using humane, reward-based, ethical training methods. I take an overall wellness approach to help you and your dogs THRIVE.
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Training with me empowers YOU with the skills and information you need to be the teacher your DOG needs. Your short-term investment benefits you all for long-term success. With my experience, expertise and positive methods, I am not your average dog trainer!
About Leanne,
Your Behavior Specialist
MY PASSION:
Getting you results using rewards-based, ethical behavior training methods!
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MY MISSION:
Finding practical solutions for your unique behavior concerns and supporting you through the steps of your training journey toward your goals.
WHERE MY PASSIONS WERE BORN
As a teenager, being around and learning about all sorts of animals brought me a lot of joy and curiosity. From turtles in the creek behind my house, to dogs at the local shelter, to friends' horses and farm animals, and wildlife while we traveled the east coast of America and beyond.
My passion grew into a desire to pursue a lifelong career working with animals. This led me to find any and all jobs I could as a teen to work with animals, while also enjoying regular horse riding, training, and showing. Horses taught me a lot of valuable lessons in cooperating with animals to achieve a common goal.
After the military, I dove headfirst into my two educational goals, to become a certified dog trainer through the Animal Behavior College and graduated in 2005 while working as a professional dog trainer at PetSmart, while also attending veterinary technician college and earned my degree in 2007, then passed my VTNE board test to become a full-fledged Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2007, and ever since have been contributing to the well-being of dogs, as well as all species in a variety of roles.
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I began my own full-time professional dog behavior training business in 2021 when I decided to shift away from veterinary technician work and focus on my dream. It's been such a rewarding experience, and I absolutely love my "job"! It's more of a passion than work, thanks to all of the hundreds of dog owners who have chosen and trusted me over the years and allowed me to continue to grow and help even more dogs and their humans.
Why I'm Not Your Average Dog Trainer?
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I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician: Since graduating, passing the national exam and obtaining my professional license in 2007, I have been dedicating my entire career to helping pets in both the medical and behavioral settings. I bring to you tons of well-rounded experience coming from a place of education and expertise.
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Certified, educated and humane: I believe that behavior change should be formulated by ethical, science-backed, thoughtful, and compassionate methods, not just personal experience or topical solutions that don't consider each dog's emotional and physical well-being. From professional certifications requiring a lot of prior and continuing education and testing to specialized training, 18 years of hands-on animal handling and training, and ethical pledges, I believe it is vital to ensure your practices live up to the standards of proven humane methods.
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Holistic and Bigger Picture Solutions: Physical and emotional health plays a major role in how dogs express behaviors, which can look like reactivity, fear, anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, avoidance, lack of focus, "laziness", "stubbornness", refusal to do things, and any other behavior we see. As a Licensed Veterinary Technician since 2005, I bring a plethora of related knowledge to the table, hands-on animal handling and behavior training, as well as allowed medical advice when needed.
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Ethical business practices: I take my business and professional relationships seriously; this is my life's work. Therefore, I maintain all required business licenses, permits, certifications, and liability insurance.
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Dedication: I take my role in your family's journey seriously and will do anything I can to provide support, encouragement, and resources along the way.
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Creativity: I always work to find creative and practical solutions that suit your lifestyle, home environment, schedule, routines, and limitations and can pivot as needed.
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Collaboration: I believe that networking with other like-minded professionals is vital to helping each other out, to providing the best possible care and resources. The positive reinforcement community is a family that supports and helps each other through challenging behavior problems.
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US Military Veteran: I uphold a high standard of integrity, honesty, leadership, and work ethic. I am open to any feedback that will help you better understand or adjust the course if you ever have a question or concern. Your trust is important to me and vital for our success together.
Meet The Team
Leanne James, LVT, CPDT-KA, IAABC-DT, ABCDT, Fear Free & Human-Animal Bond Cert.
CPR Cert, NAVC Nutrition Counselor, Professional Dog Behavior Trainer
Owner of Evolution Dog Training
See Leanne's full bio HERE
See Leanne's full qualifications HERE
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Brittany Furgerson, Virtual Client Support Specialist
Brittany has been with us since day 1 and is a vital part of the team, ensuring all of our amazing doggie parents are taken care of. She wears many hats here with Evolution Dog Training, and we are very grateful for her to be on the team!
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She is a systems strategist with her own business in Georgia where she helps small business owners stay organized and fabricates systems to streamline their businesses and allow them to provide excellent customer service.
Before she got into tech, she was a pet sitter for many many years and a vet assistant and hospital manager for over 7 years.
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Brittany is an avid animal lover and has two dogs, a pit mix named Levi and a French Bulldog named Zion, two goats named Grace and Frankie, and a bunch of chickens.
