-->
Sue Kocher Certified Dog Training Instructor
Raleigh NC


Phone: 919-870-0050 eves.
E-mail: skocher@mindspring.com 

Training and Philosophy

I am endlessly fascinated by all animals, but dogs have always been my greatest love. By the time I was about 12 years old, I had taught our various family dogs basic obedience, and also many hilarious tricks. Our smart old cock-a-poo Tonnie, in particular, helped me discover how much fun it is to train dogs. That dawg had a sense of humor, and he loved to perform.


Lule and her pups
What stuck in my brain, even if I could not express it at the time, was how quickly and happily dogs learn when it is positive, fun, and rewarding for the dog. I figured out by the age of 6 that food and praise worked a whole lot better than punishment, and was more pleasant for me and Tonnie... but that was in the 1960s, and I had never even heard of positive or reward-based training. When I started reading and studying, I was temporarily sidetracked by the "experts" who led me to believe that I was going about it all wrong--that I needed to exert "dominance," use a choke collar, and be quick to punish disobedience in order to be "alpha"... but fortunately the brainwashing didn't take. Tonnie had taught me better than that.

During my education and subsequent travels abroad as a university teacher, I had to live for years without a dog of my own. I had at various times a parrot, a cat, a ferret, and a bizarre but clever parakeet--all of which I taught to do amusing tricks. But my real joy was teaching dogs. So whenever I could, I cared for and trained other peoples' dogs--basic obedience, various useful behaviors, and of course, tricks. Then I moved to North Carolina where I was finally able to have another dog, and where I began to seriously study dog training methodologies. I've been training my dogs, assisting classes, and teaching classes here since 1998.

Jeepers swears
With Suzanne Clothier, teaching Jeepers to "swear" on her great book, "Bones Would Rain from the Sky". 		I am a big believer in teaching tricks and "fun stuff" for dogs. Far from being demeaning or silly, tricks training is very enjoyable for the dog--shaping behaviors encourages the dog to be creative, and to enjoy training. It is very clear to me that most dogs love to perform and make people laugh. Furthermore, tricks are fun, but not frivolous. Teaching a dog to roll over, spin, stretch, tug, beg, or say prayers can increase flexibility and fitness, and also relieve stress and boredom for a dog.

Training these things also makes you a better trainer! And finally, the more behaviors a dog learns, the smarter she becomes, and the quicker she is to learn other things. The sky is the limit, and it's all good fun.

I am also a big believer in teaching dogs basic good manners and respect for humans--and perhaps more importantly, in teaching humans to earn this respect from their dogs. I have adopted Jean Donaldson's mantra:
    Positive is not permissive!
   . . . And also
   It's all tricks to the dog!

I have been most privileged to attend two week-long "Chicken Training Camps" with the maestro of behavior modification, Bob Bailey. That was the opportunity of a lifetime, because only his late wife Marian had the experience and scientific knowledge of Bob, and when he retires I hope that one of his acolytes will take up his torch. I have also had the good fortune to take seminars with some of the world's most talented animal trainers (see Dog/Animal Behavior & Education)--each of them gave me precious insights and inspiration.

My friend Pasha
The real thrill in dog training comes from the realization that dogs love to learn as long as you figure how to make it rewarding; put this into practice as you train and interact with your dog, and you will both have a blast learning new things together. The only thing that is more exciting is seeing dog owners, and their children, catching the "training bug" by finding out just how much fun it is to truly interact with a dog. That's my ultimate goal as a dog training instructor.

Teaching Experience

Currently
Dog Training Instructor, Glenwood Animal Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina.

2006-2007
Dog Training Instructor, Sunny Acres Pet Resort, Durham, North Carolina.

2001-2006
Dog Training Instructor, Teamworks, Raleigh, North Carolina.

1999-2000
Class Assistant, Teamworks, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dog/Animal Behavior & Education

Agility Training

Life Aside from Dogs

Volunteer Experience

Professional Memberships and Activities

Our Dogs

These are our Rat Terriers, Ripley, Jeepers, and Bling-Bling.
Ripley

Ripley is sweet and smart, and has many friends and admirers. She's a UKC Champion, and our Tricks Dog Extraordinaire. Ripley loves learning and performing her many clever tricks, and she's a great demo dog for illustrating the power of clicker training!
Photo by Diane Lewis.

Jeepers is my adorable little man, just as bright and eager to learn as Ripley, and full of mischief and humor. He's zooming forward as my agility partner, and he loves the game. He loves any game!

Bling-Bling is our latest addition, a lovely pup from Ripley's litter, half sister to Jeepers. I have high expectations for her and her littermates in Agility, Rally, Obedience, and just being smart, loveable dogs!

Lule and her pups Kangal Dogs: This is Lule [LU-Lay] with her 2-week old puppies. She's a Kangal Dog--Turkey's national breed, rare in the US. Lule is obedience trained, a UKC conformation Champion, and a wonderful mother, beautiful inside and out. Our gentle friend and protector.

I also co-own several of her puppies, including Fistik (that's Turkish for "nut"), also a Champion. They are maturing into fine dogs, with good working temperament as well as good hip scores--they are a credit to the breed.

My other dog links:
Our Sivas Regal Kangal Dogs
Our SmartyPants Rat Terriers
Photo gallery of our dogs and other stuff