Erika is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) and a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) and is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and a Canine Training Professional with the Pet Professionals Guild (PPG).
Erika has more than 10 years of experience working with dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments. She has interned under licensed veterinarians, volunteered with countless animal rescue groups, worked at doggy daycare centers in Louisiana and Tennessee, and was employed as a shelter manager for a no-kill animal shelter in Louisiana and as a shelter behavior manager for a local humane society in Virginia. Before becoming a professional dog trainer, Erika owned a pet photography business and volunteered her time and talent to help adoptable animals find forever homes.
Erika has clicker trained dogs, cats, parrots, rats, horses, pigs and even one raccoon! She currently specializes in puppy training, trick training, and behavior modification, particularly working with dogs with anxiety, aggression, and reactivity.
Erika loves getting to know the people who love their dogs and is a passionate teacher, of both human and canines! She believes that it's important for her clients to understand why dogs behave the way they do so that they can learn to how problem-solve together.
Erika works with Clever Critters LLC, serving the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. You can follow them on Instagram @clevercritters
In 2021 Erika became a first-time mom and later that year, she landed her dream job, working for Dogwise Books as the Social Media Marketing Manager.
Instagram: @clevercritters
Dogwise: https://www.dogwise.com/
*The following are affiliate links, if you purchase through these links, I will receive a small commission*
Books recommended by Erika in the episode:
“Canine Enrichment for the Real World” by Allie Bender and Emily Strong
“Canine Enrichment for the Real World Workbook” by Allie Bender and Emily Strong
“Meet Your Dog” By Kim Brophy
“On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals” By Turid Rugaas
“Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You” DVD by Turid Rugaas
Turid Rugaas Book/DVD set
“Doggie Language” by Lili Chin
“The Language of Dogs” DVD by Sarah Kalnajs
If you want to work with me, Susan Light, you can find me at:
www.doggydojopodcast.com
The music was written by Mac Light, you can find him at:
www.maclightsongwriter.com
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