Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

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I am an avid dog trainer, dog sports enthusiast, and proponent of relationship-based training -- building a deep personal bond with your dog by learning to clearly communicate to your dog what behaviors you WANT, not only what you don't want.  My husband and I have three Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes (Bones, Beowulf, and Gilgamesh) that we enjoy training and competing with in dog sports, including agility and Barnhunt.  I am third-party board certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).  I previously taught agility classes at Doggrrrcise Agility, LLC.  I previously served as a board member and Membership Outreach Committee Chair for the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Club of the USA (AKC parent club), assisted A Path 4 Paws rescue group as a trainer/consultant, and volunteered at the Nevada SPCA.  

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I have a Master's of Science degree from the University of Arkansas's College of Engineering, and a Bachelor's of Arts from Northern Kentucky University Department of History and Geography.  I am continuously enrolled in courses on ethology, behavior, health, and other dog behavior training with internationally renown behavior consultants and veterinary behaviorists to further my expertise in this field.  I have also successfully completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course.  

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Here are some recent continuing education courses I have completed on dog training and behavior:

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• Aggression in Puppies -- Trish King, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• Bully Breeds -- Trish King, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• Ethology, Body Language & Observational Skills -- Amber L. Drake, EdD (ABD), Ed.S, M.Ed., BSc

• Canine Behavior Consulting Skills Best Practices - Chris Redenbach, CDBC, CBCC-KA

• Health, Development, & Life Stages - Dr. Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB

• Anatomy and Physiology -- Rachel Tiessen, RVT, BSc

• Canine Core Conditioning & Warm-ups/Cool Downs -- Kelly Straub, MPT, CCRP, APT

• Aggression in Dogs Master Course -- Michael Shikashio, CDBC

• Livestock Guardian Dogs -- Erin Williams, CPDT-KA

• Facilitating Safe and “Healthy” Dog Play in Shelters - Mara Velez

• Intro to Behavior Medications -- Dr. Jennifer Summerfield, DVM

• Pain Assessment and Management -- Dr. Sue Yanoff, DVM

• Treating Separation Anxiety -- Nancy Tucker, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• Stress in Dogs -- Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Ph.D, CAAB

• “Come!” The Art and Science of Recall Training -- Chrissi Schranz 

• Anxiety: The Whole Story -- Dr. Jessica Hekman, DVM, Ph.D

• Concept Training: An Introduction & Overview -- Ken Ramirez, KPA-CTP

• Outdated, Outmoded and Misunderstood Behavior Science -- Dr. Susan Friedman, Ph.D

• Location and Arousal Specific Marker Cues -- Shade Whitesel

• Navigating Difficult Conversations -- Dr. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC

• Success with Sensitive Dogs -- Helene-Marie Lawler

• Is Positive Permissive?  -- Denise Fenzi

• Dog Bite Interpretation – Evidence and Behavior -- Jim Crosby, CBCC-KA

• Using the Control Unleashed Pattern Games -- Leslie McDevitt, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• Advanced Platform Training – Beyond the Basics -- Michele Pouliot

• Modifying Resource Guarding Behavior -- Michael Shikashio, CDBC

• The Play Way: Therapeutic Help for Fear, Anxiety and Stress -- Dr. Amy Cook, Ph.D, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• The Science of Semiochemicals -- Dr. Valarie Tynes, DVM, DACVB

• Tricks with a Purpose -- Sara Brueske, KPA-CTP

• Loopy Agility Training -- Megan Foster

• Antecedents – Our Secret Weapon -- Peta Clarke

• Enrichment for Geriatric Dogs and Cats: Discovering the Fountain of Youth -- Steve Dale, CABC

• Classical Conditioning -- Dr. Lore Haug, DVM, DACVB, CABC

• But My Dog’s not Food Motivated -- Kathy Sdao

• Desensitization and Counterconditioning -- Nancy Tucker, CDBC, CPDT-KA

• Anatomy of Attention -- Suzanne Clothier

• Impulsivity and Hyperactivity -- Dr. Kristina Spaulding, Ph.D, CAAB

• Zen and the Art of Impulse Control -- Dr. Deb Jones, Ph.D

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I became interested in advanced dog training and behavioral work years ago when our eldest dog, Bones, began to suffer from severe fear issues, including noise phobias.  I realized that behavioral issues like these were common reasons why people surrender their dogs to shelters, but these issues often CAN be successfully addressed.  We were lucky to find a wonderful dog behavior consultant who helped us address these issues.  This experience piqued my interest in understanding canine psychology and learning theory.  I continue to take classes and network with other respected behavior consultants to maintain working knowledge of the newest techniques and ideas on canine psychology and learning. 

I help clients communicate more effectively with their dogs to solve issues, whether it is motivating and training a new puppy in the basics of obedience; working with fear-aggressive dogs; destructive or problem behaviors in the home; or helping an agility team smooth out communication on the course to reach that next level of achievement. 

Let me help you build a deeper, more brilliant relationship with your dog...today!

This hierarchy model was presented in a Raising Canine telecourse by Dr. Susan Friedman, psychology professor at Utah State University.

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