Credentials
Deborah Jay DeSilva, CPDT-KA, MA
Owner/Operator, Since 2008
My Canine Companion, LLC
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed, Council of Professional Dog Trainers, www.ccpdt.org
- A.K.C. Judge, A.K.C. Fetch Program, https://www.akc.org/fetch/
- Certified Trainer/Evaluator, A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen
https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/
- Certified Trainer/Evaluator A.K.C. S.T.A.R. Puppy
https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/akc-star-puppy/
- Therapy Dog Trainer/Evaluator, Love on a Leash Therapy Dog
- Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers
- Professional Member, Pet Professional Guild https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/
- Associate Member, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, https://iaabc.org/
Since 2008 My Canine Companion, LLC has provided New York's North Country with the most up-to-date scientifically proven positive training methods for both the human and canine ends of the leash. Training options are offered in small group class settings, one-on-one private training, and live virtual training.
Deb is the BEST!! Her professionalism, knowledge, nurturing and encouraging approach are unmatched. We are fortunate to have such natural andtalented trainer in our area. We worked with Deb, utilizing the virtual program, with our 8 year old female Golden Retriever, who was quite reactive, to facilitate the addition of a newly adopted Golden into the home. It was incredible the positive response our Kira had to the training and how it helped her to acclimate to and embrace the addition of a new furbaby. Deb was incredibly creative in finding the path to success for us and making the training experience a positive one for all. I would highly recommend Deb DeSilva as one of the best canine trainers ever!! Thanks : ) - R. Bearz
Full Vitae
Deborah Jay DeSilva, CPDT-KA, Owner/Operator, My Canine Companion, LLC (established 2008)
326 Downs Rd., Cadyville, New York 12918 (518) 293-7619, desilvdj@gmail.com
Academic Experience
2022 - Present, Professor Emeritus, Department of Communication Studies, State University of New York at Plattsburgh
1990 – 2022, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies, State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Canine Experience (15+ years training & behavior consultation experience)
2011 – Present, My Canine Companion, LLC & Canine Adventure, Plattsburgh, NY. Offerings: Off-Leash Puppy, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog, Therapy Dog Training & Testing, Canine Companion, Canine Scent Work, Canine Freestyle, Agility & Treibball. Private Training, Behavioral Consultations, Behavioral Assessments Puppy Temperament Testing & Canine Cognition Testing
2008 – 2012 Instructor: Clinton County Canine Club, Plattsburgh, NY. Basic Obedience, Obedience: Advanced Beginner, AKC Pre-Novice, Asst. Instructor: Therapy Dog, AKC Rally Novice
Current Professional Certifications
2018 – Present: Therapy Dog Trainer & Evaluator, Love on a Leash
2014 – Present: Dognition Evaluator (CDE), Duke University Canine Cognition Center
2013 – Present: Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Council for the Certification of Professional Dog Trainers
2011 – Present: AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and AKC Trick Dog Evaluator, American Kennel Club (AKC)
Professional Memberships & Club Affiliations
2017 – Present The Pet Professional Guild, Instructor/Member (PPG/PDA)
2014 - Present: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Member (IAABC)
2013 – Present: Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Member.
2011 – Present: Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), Professional Member.
2007 – 2021: Clinton County Canine Club, Member 2012 – 2015: President 2008 – 2015: Co-Chair, Scholarship Committee 2014 : Chair, American Veterans’ Canine Companion Training Committee
Certificates & Continuing Education (Dog Training & Behavior)
2/22/23 Better Heeling with Music (CEUs Earned: 6) by Judy Gamet, CPDT-KA
1/16/23 Beyond Tricks (CEUs Earned: 5) by Judy Gamet, CPDT-KA
9/25/22 What Does the Nose Know? (CEUs Earned: 2) by Julie Hecht, MSc
8/22/22 101 Things to Do Beyond the Box: Dog Behavior Games (CUEs Earned: 2) by Renea Dahms, CTDI, RMT, DipCBST
7/06/22 Advanced Clicker Training for Dogs: Shaping & Targeting (CEUs Earned: 2) by Julie Flanery, BS, CPDT-KA, RFE-C1
7/02/22 Back Chaining: Stronger Behavior and Delayed Reinforcement (CEUs Earned: 2) by Julie Flanery, BS, CPDT-KA, RFE-C1
7/01/22 Resolving Resource Guarding (CEUs Earned: 1) by Sarah Dixon, CDBC
6/27/22 Why do Wolves Hunt Sheep While Dogs Herd Them? (CEUs Earned: 1) By Dr. Kathryn Lord
4/22/22 You Brain on Dog Food (CEUs Earned: 1) by Linda Case, MS
4/09/22 The Impact of Play Groups (CEUs Earned: 1) by Aimee Sadler
3/07/22 Dog Separation Anxiety, (CEUs Earned: 1) by Sharon Al Nettles
3/07/22 Successful Introductions for Cats & Dogs, (CEUs Earned: 1) by Sharon A. Nettles
3/04/22 Dog as a Natural Species, (CEUs Earned: 2) by Janice Koler-Matznick, MS, ACAAB
2/27/22 Canine Nail Care: Creating Cooperative Care Through Training, (CEUs Earned: 1) by Sharon A. Nettles
2/27/22 BOOM! Puppies and Noise, (CEUs Earned: 1) by Rebekah King
2/25/22 Dealing with Cabin Fever in Pets, (CEUs Earned: 2) by Sally Foote, DVM
2/23/22 Incorporating Enrichment into Your Behavior Modification Plan, (CEUs Earned: 1) by Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA
12/02/21 Science of Olfactory Perception & Learning, (CEUs Earned: 2) by Dr. Simon Gadbois
7/02/20 Seeing & Building All Steps in Behavior, (CEUs Earned: 1) by David Muriello, Canine Training Academy
7/02/20 Advanced Recall with Distractions, (CEUs Earned: 1) by David Muriello, Canine Training Academy
7/02/20 Is the Dog Listening or Guessing, (CEUs Earned: 1) by David Muriello, Canine Training Academy
5/19/20 Survive & Thrive, (CEUs Earned: 8) by Veronica Boutelle & Gina Phairas
4/07/19 Service Puppy Training, (CEUs Earned: 12) by Service Dog Training Institute
2/16/19 Ultimate K9 Companion, (CEUs Earned: 8) Minette Boyd, CPDT-KA
8/29/18 Dog Trainer Foundations, (CEUs Earned: 21) By Karen Pryor Academy, Multiple Instructors
7/04/18 Simplifying Complex Training Tools, (CEUs Earned: 3) Instructor: Ken Rimirez
6/26/18 Separation Anxiety, (CEUs Earned: 1) Instructor: Dr. John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB
6/25/18 Resource Guarding, (CEUs Earned: 1) Instructor: Dr. John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB
6/13/18 Defensive Handling, (CEUs Earned: 1) Instructor: Michael Shikashio, CDBC & Trish McMillan, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-KA
6/12/18 Canine Fear-Based Aggression, (CEUs Earned: 1) Instructor: Dr. John Ciribassi, DVM, DACVB
3/30/18 Concept Training, (6 month course) by Karen Pryor Academy, Instructor: Ken Ramirez
4/30/17 Raising Your Puppy: Puppy’s First 6 Months, (4 month course) Instructor: Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA
4/1/17 Platform Training Workshop, (full day) Instructor: Leslie Nelson, Tails U Win Training Center
2/1/17 Dogs Can Dance Judge’s Training Class, (3 week course) Instructor: Judy Garnet, Dogs Can Dance
3/20/16 Transitions & Flow (Musical Freestyle), (6 week course), Certificate Awarded by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Instructor: Julie Flanery
3/19/16 Canine Freestyle Workshop, (full day) Instructor: Leslie Nelson, Tails U Win Training Center
1/8/16 Rally FrEe & Musical Freestyle, (6 week course), Certificate awarded by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Instructor: Julie Flanery
11/15/15 Creating Freestyle, (½ Day Workshop), World Canine Freestyle Organization North American Nationals, Instructor: Jody Cook
10/25/15 Canine Freestyle, (6 week course), Certificate awarded by Karen Pryor Academy Instructor: Michele Pouliot
7/12/15 Dog Emotion & Cognition, (8 week course), Duke University (CEUs Earned: 21) Instructor: Dr. Brian Hare, PhD Anthropology
6/14/15 Freestyle and Beyond, (CEUs Earned: 14) Instructor: Nancy Tanner
5/9/15 Teaching Animals to Communicate through Pictures (CEUs Earned: 1) Instructor: Victoria Fogel, PhD
3/15/15 Rally Freestyle Elements, Workshop, Port Chester Training Club Instructor: Jenn Michaelis
3/1/15 Canine Freestyle (CEUs Earned: 16) Instructor: Carolyn Scott
2/19/15 Aggression and the Law: What Trainers Need to Know (CEUs Earned: 12) (3 week course), Certificate Earned Instructor: Heidi Meinzer, J.D.
10/17/14 Reactive Dogs Workshop, APDT Conference, Hartford, CT (CEUs Earned: 6.5) Instructor: Emma Parsons
10/16/14 Canine Social & Psychological Development, 2 Days, (CEUs Earned: 15.75) 2014 APDT Conference, Hartford, CT Instructor: Gail Fisher
9/4/14 “Excel-erated” Canine Agility Training, (3 Day Workshop) (CEUs Earned: 13) Instructor: Pamela Reid, PhD
7/28/14 Teaching Animals to Communicate Through Pictures (CEUs Earned: 1.0) Instructor: Victoria Fogel, M.A.
6/4/14 What Does the Nose Know?, Webinar (CEUs Earned: 1.5) Instructor: Julie Hecht, M.A.
2/19/14 Teaching Canine Scent Work, (6 week course), E-Training (CEUs Earned: 6), Instructor: Shelly Volsche, CPDT-KA
10/6/13 Agility Seminar (3 hours) Instructor: Tara Baggerman
9/2013 Get Smart About Training (CEU Value: 6.5) Instructor: Kathy Sdao,
6/2013 Train at the Next Level (CEU Value: 9.0) Instructors: Veronica Boutelle, MA Ed., CTD Jean Donaldson, PhD
5/2013 T.A.C.T. (Touch Associated Clicker Training) Bancroft School of Massage Therapy – Dog Gone U, Worcester, MA. (CEU Value: 12.0) Instructor: Julie Robitaille, CAMT, CPDT
4/2013 A Trainer’s Guide to Teaching a Reactive Rover Classes (CEU Value: 9.0) Instructor: Kim Moeller, CPDT
4/2013 101 Ways to Think Outside of the Box (Doggy Freestyle) (CEU Value: 9.0) Instructor: Emily Larlham
3/2013 T.A.C.T. Touch Associated Clicker Training: A training program for dogs that are fearful and reactive toward people. (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Julie Robitaille, CAMT, CPDT
3/2013 Hooligans: Living with Canine Teenagers (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
3/2013 Running a Reactive Dog Class, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Emma Parsons
2/2013 Pattern Games: Clicking for Confidence & Connection (CEU Value: 2.25) Instructor: Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CPDT-KA, CDBC
2/2013 The Language of Dogs (CEU Value: 2.0) Instructor: Sarah Kalnajs, CPDT, CDBC
10/2012 Successful Cat & Dog Introductions – Step by Step, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Jacqueline Munera, BA, PCBC, CCBC, CAP2
10/2012 Use of Stuffed Dogs in Evaluations & Consultations, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Trish King, CPDT, CDBC
5/2012 Instructors Training Course - ITC, Accord, NY. (CEU Value: 32.5) Instructors: Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA, CABC & Sue Sternberg,
2/8/2012 Behavior Evaluations: The Why, Who & How, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Trish King, CPDT, CDBC
2/2012 Polite Walking: Tips for Trainers, Instructors and their Clients, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Gail Fisher
12/2011 My Dog Just Wants to Say Hi, (CEU Value: 1.5) Instructor: Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA & Susan Briggs
5/2011 Sirius Dog Training Academy, Albany, NY. (CEU Value: 21.0) Instructor: Dr. Ian Dunbar, PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS,
3/2010 Advanced Clicker Training (Part II – full day seminar - continued) Instructor: Leslie Nelson, Tails U Win Training Center
4/2009 Advanced Clicker Training (Part I – full day seminar in training methodology, class management & canine/human relationships) Instructor: Leslie Nelson, Tails U Win Training Center
3/2008 AKC Tracking Seminar, (2 day seminar): Seminar for AKC Tracking Judges Instructors: Herb Morrison, AKC Tracking Judge and Field Representative & Betty Winthers, AKC Obedience Judge and Field Representative