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About Us


cat - g-shep About Us

Our EXTENSIVE EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE provide safe, humane methods for modifying pet behavior. Every aspect of our practice is informed by the strongly held belief that teaching better behavior must be EFFECTIVE AND FUN for pets and their families.

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Christine Hibbard CTC

Christine graduated with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, earning her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) credential. She studied with Jean Donaldson ("Culture Clash", "Mine", "Fight"), and Janis Bradley ("Dogs Bite"). She has completed advanced work in animal behavior, learning theory, dog/dog aggression, instructional design, and communications. Christine specializes in private behavior consultations. Her passion and creativity bring fun, inventive training solutions to challenging behavior problems. 

The dog training field is still sadly laden with self-proclaimed gurus without credentials, real skills or professional ethics. Christine Hibbard is the opposite: Educated and skilled in animal learning and training, dog behavior, instructing and counseling. She exemplifies utmost professionalism."
- JEAN DONALDSON
San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers
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 James Ha PhD

James has a Master’s degree in Biology from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in Zoology with a specialization in animal behavior from Colorado State University. He is currently a Research Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington. His academic research interests are in learning more about the social behavior of animals including primates, crows, and killer whales. Jim has demonstrated consistent success in applying the knowledge he's gained from his academic career to domestic animals living in an ever more urbanized world. Jim’s problem solving skills and teaching ability allow him to accurately diagnose problem behaviors and apply the most effective solutions for both owners and their pets.

Dr. Jim Ha is a wonderful resource for all aspects of pet behavior. I can always count on him for cutting edge research information. His presentations on animal behavior are fascinating and I consider him to be one of the premier behaviorists in the state.
- LOUISA BEAL, DVM
Veterinarian Behavior Consultations
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Greta Kaplan CDBC, CPDT

Greta is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Associate Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors, working toward her certification as a Certified Dog Behavior Counselor. Greta is an experienced clicker trainer who has completed all four sessions of the Cross-Species Operant Conditioning Training Workshop taught by Bob Bailey - popularly known as "chicken camp." If Greta can train a chicken to do agility, she can teach dogs to do almost anything. She has extensive experience evaluating and remediating dog behavior issues, and in coaching owners to help their dogs both feel and behave better.

Greta's specialty is performing private behavior consultations. She teaches leash aggression and other behavior-issue classes as well as puppy and adult manners classes at various Portland area locations. In addition, she coaches and races flyball with the Portland Tail Blazers Flyball Club, and teaches flyball classes for all levels with the support of the team. state.

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Carly Loyer BA, CPDT

Carly has been an "animal person" since she rode bareback and diapered on Moose, the unflappable yellow lab she grew up with. She has since come to the conclusion that there may be other, better things to do with dogs, and has mapped out her life accordingly. Graduating from the University of Washington in 2007 with a BA in Psychology (with an emphasis on Animal Behavior), she took a year off of school and is currently a trainer at PetSmart, getting hands-on experience while applying to graduate programs in Animal Behavior. She plans to eventually branch out to train more exotic animals and is interested in training as it applies to environmental enrichment programs for captive animals.

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Miles Bensky BA

Miles graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Washington. While there he developed a passion for both human psychology and animal behavior. Since graduating he has worked jobs in both the community mental health and animal fields. He is now taking steps to meet his ultimate goal of becoming a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist where he can combine his interests of helping both people and their animals. He is very excited to be attending the San Francisco SPCA Academy of Dog Trainers in the fall to earn his Certificate of Training and Counseling (CTC).