Meet the Trainers

Dawn Lowery, CPDT-KA, ACDBC, Owner, One Smart Dog

Dawn Lowery is a graduate of Animal Behavior College, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer , CPDT-KA, through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, CCPDT #112514, an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants IAABC, a Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT #73715, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator #40284, a therapy dog evaluator with K9 to 5 National Therapy Dog Registry, an Animal Behavior College and CATCH Academy mentor trainer, and a former Animal Control Officer.

Providing the most effective, helpful solutions to her clients’ dog training needs, Dawn enthusiastically pursues ongoing continuing education and professional growth by attending several seminars and conferences per year and keeping current on all up-to-date information in the dog training industry.

When not helping families enjoy easier lives with their canine companions, Dawn likes to spend time with her husband Patrick, nephews and niece, and enjoys being in her kayak on the Long Island Sound. Dawn has been featured in the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Post, and has been a guest on the show Pet Talk with Lauren Collier, News Channel 12, and NBC CT Live. She lives with her husband Patrick, her rescue dog Carbo and new addition Mookie. Both brindle and white Boston Terriers. Dawn’s goal is to help families with dogs live a rewarding life together!

Dawn Lowery, Owner of One Smart Dog and her Boston Terrier Carbo.

Kim Wisniewski, CPDT-KA , Head Trainer

Kim currently works full time in the health insurance industry and was a student at One Smart Dog with her youngest Lab Maui. She has put much work in with Maui, passing the CGC exam and currently prepping to take the therapy dog test. Maui and Kim visit the residents at Maplewood in Orange once a month as part of a therapy dog training group team at One Smart Dog. She owns two labs Murphy and Maui. She is married to husband Gregg and has two daughters. One who is an aspiring hair dresser and one who is off to college. With both girls grown Kim had some free time on her hands and decided that she would like to pursue a part-time career in training dogs.

Kim started an apprenticeship with Dawn in the Fall of 2015 in hopes to learn more about dog behavior and the science behind the methods used at One Smart Dog. Kim completed her apprenticeship at the end of 2016 and is a head trainer teaching puppy and basic manners classes. She most recently passed the CPDT-KA exam.

Kim Wisniewski, Head Trainer and her Labs Murphy and Maui

Stephanie Buehler, Head Trainer

Stephanie has had a passion for positive reinforcement training since attending classes at One Smart Dog with her German Shepherd Milo six years ago. She currently works for a financial company and is a wife and mom of three small children. Stephanie did an apprenticeship under Dawn and has been teaching classes the longest at One Smart Dog. She left for a short time while growing her family but we are lucky to now have her back on board as class instructor.

You'll see Stephanie at the training center on Saturday mornings as she teaches both puppy and basic manners. She brings an unprecedented passion for the understanding of the science of animal learning to the team.

Stephanie Buehler, Head Trainer with family and German Shepherd Milo.

Heidi Rice, Group Class Instructor

Heidi was recruited by Dawn once she realized the potential she had as a trainer. She came to OSD with her dog Tucker. The turnaround in Tucker due to the work that Heidi put in was amazing. Tucker just finished our advanced obedience class and is working towards therapy dog work. Heidi also recently got another puppy Daisy and is attending classes with her as well. Heidi completed an apprenticeship with Dawn and currently teaches our Puppy Pre K class and Basic Manners.

Heidi Rice, Group Class Trainer and her Labs Daisy and Tucker

Positive Reinforcement:
Training Your Dog with Treats and Praise

We all like to be praised rather than punished. The same is true for your dog, and that’s the theory behind positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement means giving your pet something pleasant or rewarding immediately after they do something you want them to do. Because your praise or reward makes them more likely to repeat that behavior in the future, it is one of your most powerful tools for shaping or changing your dog’s behavior.
https://avsab.org/resources/position-statements/

Types of Instruction

Behavior Consultations
Basic Obedience-Offered in Private and Group Classes
Day Training Programs
Intermediate and Advanced Obedience
Specialty Classes
AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing
Therapy dog classes and Testing
Puppy and breed selection for new pet parents

AVSAB Position Statement- Humane Training