Call 816-436-SPOT (7768)

Email Laura@TheDogsSpot.com

The Dogs’ Spot specializes in innovative, reward-based educational and recreational programs that are Friendly, Effective, and Fun! At The Dogs’ Spot, we go above basic dog obedience to teach life skills. Dogs are taught to make good choices by showing their human companions how to focus on reinforcing desirable behaviors, rather than inadvertently reinforcing undesirable ones. Small classes and private consultations are offered in puppy socialization, kitten socialization, family manners, dog agility, canine freestyle, therapy dog preparation, rally obedience, tracking, Canine Good Citizen training and testing, and preparing your pets for the arrival of your new baby. The Dogs’ Spot, located in Gladstone, MO, is a 1,200 square foot indoor facility that is fully air-conditioned and heated for year around comfort, and fully matted with ¾” Tenderfoot Dog Agility Flooring. Come see why The Dogs’ Spot is “the community spot for dogs and the people who love them!”

Laura and Tiger Photograph courtesy of Kevin Devine Photography Dudley, Sadie and Gracie Laura and Rusty a shelter dog Photograph courtesy of Elizabeth Stanney Laura and Tiger Photograph courtesy of Fran Mattox Dudley Laura and Tiger Photograph courtesy of Terri Tepper

Education: BA in Business Administration from Park College Karen Pryor Academy for Training and Animal Behavior Graduate and Certified Training Partner Dogs of Course Instructor's Training Course Certifications: Certified Pet Dog Trainer American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator American Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR Achievements: Earned multiple titles in agility Trained a ten year-old shelter dog for the part of Sandy in the Gladstone Theatre in the Park musical presentation of Annie Memberships: Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Affiliate Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Endorsed, Professional Member of the International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior No More Homeless Pets - Kansas City Kansas City Dog Advocates KC Dog Trainers.com Gladstone Area Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters International Community Involvements: Trainer for Gladstone Parks and Recreation Department 2007 through the present Kansas City, Missouri, Off Leash Dog Park Advisory Task Force Committee Member 2007 - 2008 Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference Staff Member 2007 Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference Committee Member 2008 - present Appearances and Demonstrations: Walk N' Wag, Gladstone, MO 2006, 2007, and 2008 Dog N' Jog, Kansas City, MO 2006, 2007, and 2008 Paws in the Park, Parkville, MO 2006, 2007 and 2008 Friday Night Fright Night, Gladstone, MO 2006 and 2008 Gladfest parade, Gladstone, MO 2007 and 2008 Gladfest entertainment, Gladstone, MO 2007 Pre show for a Gladstone Movie in the Park, Gladstone, MO 2007 Companion Animal Parasite Council entertainment, Kansas City, MO 2008 Woofstock, Kansas City, MO 2008 Salvation Army Children’s Shelter Picnic hosted by American Century, Kansas City, MO 2008 Dippin’ Dogs, Kansas City, MO 2008 Pampered Pets weekend at the Elms Resort & Spa, Excelsior Springs, MO 2008 Speaking Engagements: Delivered welcome address at the 2006 Association of Pet Dog Trainers National Conference in Kansas City, MO Conferences Attended: Association of Pet Dog Trainers 2006 Kansas City, MO, 2007 Portland, OR, and 2008 Louisville, KY Central State Veterinary Conference, 2005, 2006, ans 2008 Kansas City, MO Clicker Expo 2007 Cleveland, OH Clean Run Agility Instructor's Conference 2007 Hamden, CT Canine Legislation Conference 2007 Kansas City, MO Seminars Attended: Dr. Patricia McConnell, St. Louis, January 2004 Dr. Dan Estep and Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Telecourse, March 2004 Brenda Aloff, Ponca City, OK, March 2004 Dr. Pamela Reid, Omaha, NE, July 2004 Dr. Emily Weiss, Wichita, KS, August 2004 Leslie Nelson, St. Louis, MO, January 2005 Pat Hennessey, Belton, MO, February 2005 Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, Westwood, KS, March 2005 Dr. Emily Weiss, Mission, KS, November 2005 Kathy Cascade, Belton, MO, September, 2005 Pam Dennison, Blairstown, NJ, July 2005 Turid Ruugas, Omaha, NE, June 2006 Dr. Roger Abrantes, St. Louis, MO, July 2006 Pat Miller, Omaha, NE, August 2006 Nicole Wilde, St. Louis, MO, May 2007 Kellie Snider, St. Louis, MO, July 2007 Pat Hennessey, Gladstone, MO, August 2007 Dr. J.C. Burcham, Merriam, KS, June 2008 Emma Parsons, St. Louis, MO, July 2008 Trish King, Overland Park, KS, September 2008

Laura lives with four mixed breed dogs: Tiger, Sadie, Gracie, and Dudley. For fun, she competes in Agility with Tiger, participates in Freestyle with Sadie, is learning to Track with Gracie, and is searching for inner peace with Dudley.