Susan Spinks, CPDT-KA
My personal journey to dog training began when my husband and I adopted Chloe, the "vibrant" 12 week old puppy, from the Orange County Animal Shelter. We started classes with her the very next week. If you have a new puppy, I feel your pain.
I mentored under, and worked with, Jane Marshall at Cheery Dogs Dog Training for six years. I am a member of the Pet Professional Guild, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and received my CPDT - KA from The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in April of 2016. I am also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. In June of 2017, I earned my Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor and Assessor designation from the Pet Professional Guild. In April of 2018, I graduated top of my class at the Pat Miller Canine Behavior and Training Academy, (Level 1). From January 2020 to June 2022 I was the Dog Training Program Manager at Paws4ever in Mebane.
I was previously "trained" by Zoe a Rhodesian Ridgeback and Isobel a boxer mix and currently have a husband named Richard. Of the three, Richard is by far the best behaved and seems to be a keeper. Richard and I have lived in Chapel Hill since 1990.
My earliest desire in life was to be a zoologist and live among the wolves. But horrible math and hard science got in the way of that dream. Working with you and your pets is definitely the next best thing. I look forward to meeting you and helping you and your dogs create a wonderful family.
I mentored under, and worked with, Jane Marshall at Cheery Dogs Dog Training for six years. I am a member of the Pet Professional Guild, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and received my CPDT - KA from The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in April of 2016. I am also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. In June of 2017, I earned my Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor and Assessor designation from the Pet Professional Guild. In April of 2018, I graduated top of my class at the Pat Miller Canine Behavior and Training Academy, (Level 1). From January 2020 to June 2022 I was the Dog Training Program Manager at Paws4ever in Mebane.
I was previously "trained" by Zoe a Rhodesian Ridgeback and Isobel a boxer mix and currently have a husband named Richard. Of the three, Richard is by far the best behaved and seems to be a keeper. Richard and I have lived in Chapel Hill since 1990.
My earliest desire in life was to be a zoologist and live among the wolves. But horrible math and hard science got in the way of that dream. Working with you and your pets is definitely the next best thing. I look forward to meeting you and helping you and your dogs create a wonderful family.
Education
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed, 2016
Association of Professional Dog Trainer, Professional Member since 2015
2018 APDT Professional Conference
Pet Professional Guild, Canine Training Professional since 2014
American Kennel Club, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, #91355
Pet Dog Ambassador Evaluator
Peaceable Paws Pat Miller Academy: Level 1 - Canine Behavior and Training Academy, 2018, Level 2 - Behavior Modification, 2018
Teamworks Chicken Clicker Training Camp, 2018, 2025
2019, Chirag Patel 4 Day Intensive Workshop
2019 Clicker Expo Conference (Karen Pryor Academy)
2022 The Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop Part II
2023 - Clicker Expo Conference (Karen Pryor Academy)
2023 - Over The Top Weekend Workshop (Arousal issues)
2024 - IAABC Conference (Asheville)
2025 - Aggression in Dogs Conference (Charlotte)
Association of Professional Dog Trainer, Professional Member since 2015
2018 APDT Professional Conference
Pet Professional Guild, Canine Training Professional since 2014
American Kennel Club, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, #91355
Pet Dog Ambassador Evaluator
Peaceable Paws Pat Miller Academy: Level 1 - Canine Behavior and Training Academy, 2018, Level 2 - Behavior Modification, 2018
Teamworks Chicken Clicker Training Camp, 2018, 2025
2019, Chirag Patel 4 Day Intensive Workshop
2019 Clicker Expo Conference (Karen Pryor Academy)
2022 The Great Big Dog Aggression Workshop Part II
2023 - Clicker Expo Conference (Karen Pryor Academy)
2023 - Over The Top Weekend Workshop (Arousal issues)
2024 - IAABC Conference (Asheville)
2025 - Aggression in Dogs Conference (Charlotte)
Melanie Berk, CPDT-KA
Melanie started asking for a dog and horse as soon as she could talk and her enthusiasm for animals has not waned one bit in the years since. As part of earning her Master’s in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) from Tufts Veterinary School, she started working at the MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), where her drive to better understand and help the animals in their care led her to start specializing in behavior. Twelve years of experience (as of 2025--you’ll have to do the math if you’re reading this later than that), a certification in professional dog training (CPDT - KA) and many amazing creatures later, her life’s passion is helping animals and the people who love them.
She loves to help people better understand and communicate with their dogs to enrich the lives of both. She is deeply committed to animal welfare and hopes to enhance it by nurturing the bond between humans and animals, increasing our empathy and understanding of one another, and promoting behavioral health. It can be confusing, overwhelming, and challenging for different species to cohabitate, and she is here to help translate so that you and your dog can both get back to (or begin!) enjoying life and one another.
Committed to life long learning, Melanie is always interested in learning how to be a better trainer and has enjoyed many experiences in continuing education with this goal, from clicker training chickens to becoming a certified canine enrichment technician (DN-CET), and passing notes to Susan at many an educational conference in between. She has yet to meet a dog she doesn’t like, but has a particular affinity for shy, anxious, or fearful dogs. She also specializes in puppies, so come to her with questions about potty training and how to maintain your sanity in the face of razor sharp puppy teeth.
She loves to help people better understand and communicate with their dogs to enrich the lives of both. She is deeply committed to animal welfare and hopes to enhance it by nurturing the bond between humans and animals, increasing our empathy and understanding of one another, and promoting behavioral health. It can be confusing, overwhelming, and challenging for different species to cohabitate, and she is here to help translate so that you and your dog can both get back to (or begin!) enjoying life and one another.
Committed to life long learning, Melanie is always interested in learning how to be a better trainer and has enjoyed many experiences in continuing education with this goal, from clicker training chickens to becoming a certified canine enrichment technician (DN-CET), and passing notes to Susan at many an educational conference in between. She has yet to meet a dog she doesn’t like, but has a particular affinity for shy, anxious, or fearful dogs. She also specializes in puppies, so come to her with questions about potty training and how to maintain your sanity in the face of razor sharp puppy teeth.