Interview – Dog Trainer, Karen Peak
Hello! Today I am very happy to have my friend, Dog Trainer, Karen Peak here! Let’s jump right in.
Q: How long have you been training dogs either as a hobby or professionally?
A: I began formally training my first dog in 1982. I was 12 and that was the youngest the local obedience club would let me join. However, they made an exception for my younger sister as Dad knew the head trainer.
Q: What inspired you to get into dog training?
A: I am not sure really. It was a combination of things. My mother had showed in Obedience before I was born and when I was little. My father dabbled too. I have always felt very at ease with animals.
Q: What are some of the challenges of your work?
A: First is getting owners and other trainers to realize that the methods many of us were trained in decades ago are based in basically junk science and poorly done research into animal behavior. Animals learn far better when we get rid of chokes, prongs, shocks, alpha rolls and ear tweaks and focus on instead motivation in a positive manner. Alpha is a myth that needs to be put to bed – even in wolves Alpha is a myth. Hierarchies are more fluid. Second is owner compliance. No matter what work trainers do if the owners are not doing the work from management to behavioral modification, the results will not be as desired. Then we have to remember that dogs are thinking creatures and just because we feel they should do X (like love dog parks), the individual dog may have his own ideas. I cringe where I hear owners say Sparky has to do this because I want him to. Well Sparky may not like other dogs, Great Aunt Edna picking up him or Sally dressing him like a dolly. Respect that.
Q: What are some of the rewarding aspects of your work?
A: Clients who are willing to be reasonable, rational, do the work and management and even seek a behaviorist I recommend if I determine that the dog is past my skill set. These are the ones who have the greatest chance of success on various levels.
Q: What is a typical day like for you? Or are there no typical days?
A: There are no typical days. Every client is different and every situation is different.
Q: Are there any misconceptions about your profession that you’d like to clear up?
A: We are not the Dog Whisperer – in fact he has done more to set back the science behind learning and training decades. All I can say is Google Dog Whisperer and dangers then go look for the behavioral breakdown often called Showdown With Holly. Then go to the Pet Professional Guild and learn how to choose a good trainer. Good training and behavioral work is not flash, mystical moves and energy. It takes time, it takes work, and it takes willingness to understand it can be boring and tedious. When you use methods seen on TV, you will do more harm than good in the long run.
Q: You’ve written a book and many articles about dog training. What is the writing process like for
you?
A: Abstract. All I can say is at any point in time I have ten to twenty articles drafted that I pull out and finish when needed. I am glad with my books that I self-publish and have no time frame. There are times I have to just put it down for a few months and take a break. Then there is oh well, waiting too long due to weather and other factors to take pictures and now winter has hit. I write off the top of my head, what comes to me as a topic – unless I am asked to cover something specific.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am trying to finish the follow up to “Am I Ready for A(nother) Puppy or Dog?” This second and yet to be titled book will serve two purposes. It will act as a guide for my own clients. Instead of giving them handouts and such, I would like to give them a more professional looking book. Second will be a guide for dog owners to get them started and understanding various things in a shorter format. I also have a book started on parenting from the view of a dog trainer. I have been working on it for years, no rush but I think I should push more before the kids are grown and out of the house.
Q: Are you currently reading anything, if so, what?
A: I am finishing the Pine Deep Trilogy by Jonathan Maberry – again. One of those series I will read over and over.
Q: Are you listening to any music currently that you’d like to tell us about?
A: Savatage, Alice Cooper, generally classic rock.
Q: What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently?
A: Hmmm… Recently, not much. However one of my favorite movies is Tucker and Dale vs Evil. The hidden story is about how what you see may not be what is reality.
Q: What do you do when you’re not training and showing dogs?
A: I sub teach, write, read, blog and watch horror movies. Pretty boring.
Q: Is there anyone who has inspired, motivated, encouraged or supported your dog training?
A: Mostly my friends and fellow trainers. I have found many of them encouraging and helpful. I hate to name names but they know who they are.
Q: Do you have a favorite brand, flavor, type of coffee?
A: Not really. I tend to drink Wegman’s brand at home – decaf generally 
Going to decaf was not fun but was a necessity. I do have to admit that my go to when out is often McDonald’s iced vanilla when I am not at Starbucks.
Final thoughts?
I am me. It has taken me years to get where I am and will take years to get to where I want to me. I am always learning. It has also taken me years to realize that I do not need approval from others to be me. Yes I have to live within social norms but I refuse to be a “soccer mom” though people assume because of the front I put on that I am. Get to know me, I am far from that stereotype. I am not perfect and refuse to be. But I love working with dogs and kids. Life has no owner’s manual so I am just winging it!
Thank you so much for your time. I wish you the very best of luck! Let’s chat again soon.
A: And thank you for doing this! It was fun!
Karen’s Bio:
I was raised in Massachusetts and moved to VA when I was 27. I am married with a son and a daughter. I live in a multispecies household and substitute teach. I am a published writer, started blogging recently so I can share more of my works from the local news paper with others since I am not paid for my writing nor am I on the paper’s e-version. Therefore blogging lets me share my work and expand upon my word limit.
I also started the Safe Kids/Safe Dogs Project in 2000.
https://westwinddogtraining.wordpress.com
