(808) 351-6268                                                                                                        info@smartpawsonline.com

                                          Jan Czaja, BA, CPDT - KA, ABCDT                                                         

Professional Credentials:                                                                              Memberships / Partnerships:                      

* Director, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
* Certified Professional Dog Trainer - KA   What's this?
* B.A. Psychology, University of Texas                                      Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
* Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer                                     Animal Behavior Management Alliance Member
* Animal Behavior College Graduate (ABCDT)                                         Best Friends Animal Society Network
* Accredited Petsmart Pet Training Instructor                              International Marine Animal Trainers Association Member
* Marine Mammal Trainer & Veterinary Technician                                                    
*10 years training experience with multiple animal species                            
                                                                                                                            
                                             
      Stingray Training Session                Attentive Animal                

                                                              
                         Relationship Building
           
    I am a Professional Member with the APDT, the largest dog trainer organization in the world.  I am proud to be a Certified Pet Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed via the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers.  This credential requires a scientific exam, professional references and continuing education to recertify every three years.  My training credentials first came from working with dogs, then with marine animals including dolphins, stingrays, sharks and fish.  Smart Paws launched in Hawaii and became my full time career.   Local veterinarians and pet professionals often praised Smart Paws use of positive training methods and often recommend classes and private services to their clients.  Smart Paws recently relocated to sunny Sierra Vista, AZ in late 2009. 

I choose positive methods over punishments because they are fun, effective and scientifically sound.  I don't agree with the use of punishments popularized by some coercive trainers which are ineffective, stressful and perpetuate ridiculous notions of dominance. I am happy to share that in my experience as a marine animal trainer, I never needed to be a "pod" leader to the large and potentially dangerous animals I was training.  I used rewards every day with these animals, without bribing or spoiling them (though I wanted to)!   When training dogs, I use clicker training to motivate and excite pets to produce desirable behaviors every day, from goofy puppies to reactive adults. I can easily show you how to positively influence your pet's behavior in a class or private session. Let's teach your dog to enjoy the feeling of obedience!
                           
This is my beloved Smart Paws Family; Maggie, Molly, Robbie and Gypsy, all of whom are rescued and rehabilitated dogs.