How to Prepare for Different Phases of Life with Your Family Pet: Preparing for a New Dog

About This Class

Preparing for a New Dog (Third Session):
The process of acquiring a new dog should begin well before the dog enters your home. In this class, we’ll talk about different breeds and how to determine which breed/breed mixes might be a good fit for your lifestyle and family. We’ll also talk about how to select the right breeder or rescue, how to choose a puppy from a litter, and red flags to look out for when looking at dogs and puppies. We’ll also give you our professional secrets on how to best handle those first few weeks with a new dog, the most important things to work on with your new dog, and how to prevent behavior problems from developing.

Read the BarkNotes

Meet the Expert

Alex Sessa | CPDT-KA, CDBC, VSPDT ​ Alex is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires hundreds of logged training hours and passing a comprehensive exam. She is also one of only five trainers in the state of Georgia to receive full certification as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. This high-level certification requires a rigorous application process that’s assessed by a panel of experts in dog training and behavior, and you must demonstrate the knowledge and ability to handle complex behavior cases in order to be certified.

Additionally, she has attained the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT) certification.

Alex attended the University of Georgia, where she began honing her training skills while helping improve the behavior of local shelter dogs to reduce euthanasia rates. She graduated with honors in 2012 and was then offered a job with celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog.”

Alex traveled the world with Victoria and had the opportunity to learn from her in all facets of training and behavior for five years before deciding to pursue her dream of founding Peach on a Leash. Their work together allowed Alex the opportunity to work hands-on with both pet dogs and working dogs, including police dogs and accelerant detection dogs.

As the founder, owner, and head trainer at Peach on a Leash, Alex oversees one of the largest training programs in the southeast, including a team of eleven exceptional, highly qualified training and behavior experts.

She has provided professional dog training for celebrities, athletes, CEOs, and other high-profile clientele, and has been featured on HLN, WSB-TV, 11Alive, and various print publications.

Alex also serves as both a faculty member and a mentor for students in the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy, as well as consulting for other training companies and non-profit organizations needing guidance with their dog training programs.

She shares her home with her husband Will, who is a police K-9 trainer and officer, their son Caden, and their beloved dogs.

Related Posts

No posts found!

Meet the Expert

Alex Sessa and her Pup

Alex is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a certification that requires hundreds of logged training hours and passing a comprehensive exam. She is also one of only five trainers in the state of Georgia to receive full certification as a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. This high-level certification requires a rigorous application process that’s assessed by a panel of experts in dog training and behavior, and you must demonstrate the knowledge and ability to handle complex behavior cases in order to be certified.

Additionally, she has attained the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT) certification.

Alex attended the University of Georgia, where she began honing her training skills while helping improve the behavior of local shelter dogs to reduce euthanasia rates. She graduated with honors in 2012 and was then offered a job with celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell of Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog.”

Alex traveled the world with Victoria and had the opportunity to learn from her in all facets of training and behavior for five years before deciding to pursue her dream of founding Peach on a Leash. Their work together allowed Alex the opportunity to work hands-on with both pet dogs and working dogs, including police dogs and accelerant detection dogs.

As the founder, owner, and head trainer at Peach on a Leash, Alex oversees one of the largest training programs in the southeast, including a team of eleven exceptional, highly qualified training and behavior experts.

She has provided professional dog training for celebrities, athletes, CEOs, and other high-profile clientele, and has been featured on HLN, WSB-TV, 11Alive, and various print publications.

Alex also serves as both a faculty member and a mentor for students in the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy, as well as consulting for other training companies and non-profit organizations needing guidance with their dog training programs.

She shares her home with her husband Will, who is a police K-9 trainer and officer, their son Caden, and their beloved dogs.

Related Posts

No posts found!