Puppy Primer
Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB is an Ethologist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who has consulted with cat and dog lovers for over twenty years. She combines a thorough understanding of the science of behavior with years of practical, applied experience. Her nationally syndicated radio show, Calling All Pets, played in over 110 cities for fourteen years. She is the behavior columnist for The Bark magazine ( the New Yorker of Dog Magazines ) and a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Comparative Psychology. She is Adjunct Associate Professor in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, teaching The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships. Dr. McConnell is a much sought after speaker and seminar presenter, speaking to training organizations, veterinary conferences, academic meetings and animal shelters around the world about dog and cat behavior, and on science-based and humane solutions to serious behavioral problems. She is the author of ten books on training and behavioral problems, as well as the critically acclaimed books The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend and Tales of Two Species. Brenda Scidmore is a professional dog trainer who began her career working with Dr. McConnell at Dog's Best Friend, Ltd. as a class instructor, private behavior consultant, and writer. Although Brenda has always had a lifelong passion for dogs, her professional interest in dog training began shortly after receiving help from Dr. McConnell for her own shy Great Dane puppy named Kato. Thanks to that early intervention Kato was able to overcome his fear of people, becoming a great family pet, with a wide circle of friends and admirers, and living to the ripe old age of 11 years. Brenda currently owns a training and consulting business that offers in-home counseling for a wide variety of dog behavioral problems, as well as general dog training, group lectures and workshops, instructional materials, class development and instructor training. With her focus on family pet dogs Brenda is proud to be a charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (the APDT), a professional organization dedicated to trainer education and public promotion of dog-friendly training techniques. Brenda lives in Verona, Wisconsin with her husband David, their two rescued terriers, Wally and Belle, and Great Dane Sophie.