Professionals "Speak"

 I first met P.K. Shader through the BridgeandTarget2 forum on the Syn Alia Training Systems website. P.K. was always there to offer help and advice to others that were experiencing training problems. Her grasp of the SATS method is outstanding and therefore she always has an answer for someone.

In October 2005 I organized a SATS seminar here in the UK and was delighted to learn that P.K. was traveling all the way from the US to meet her fellow SATS certified trainers, she had also signed up to attend the horse project over in the Netherlands.

Meeting P.K. has had a dramatic effect on my life. I have always said that Kayce Cover (the founder of the SATS method) has changed my life forever by sending me in another direction, challenging my previous beliefs and by making me trust my instincts. But P.K. has given me the strength to combat my nagging doubts, trust in people's abilities and 'boldly go where no one has gone before'.

Watching P.K. work with dogs, sheep, horses and goats always bought a smile to my face. Her attitude to work is one of happiness, total commitment, faith and success. In fact I was exhausted trying to keep up with her!

The empathy that she shows for the animals that she works with is second to none. P.K. knows exactly what approach to take with an animal within seconds of meeting it; these approaches can be anything from 'softly softly' to 'I'm in charge!' and every stage in between.

P.K has become my pen pal, my mentor but most importantly my true friend.

I look forward to working with her again.

Sue Ketland
SATS Lay Level 1 Trainer.
Training Officer
Wood Green Animal Shelter
Godmanchester Cambridgeshire England

Just have to brag a bit. My dog, Solo, and I spent the weekend with PK in Wisconsin. WOW! She's a great coach who brought out the best in both of us. I've been struggling with various issues with him for years. We kept learning and making progress but it seemed so painfully slow I didn't think he'd ever be "normal".

Conditioned relaxation has given us a new lease on life. All things are now possible <VBG>. Solo showed us that he clearly understands "get easy" and was able to choose to do a picture perfect "easy" for 90 seconds without distraction and then also with some distractions. He put that new skill into practice and was "easy" watching other dogs, "easy" running beside a bike, and "easy" taking a walk with Lika.

The intermediate bridges were a huge help in teaching him to run alongside the bike... something I never dared to try before. I learned to be faster at giving him feedback and he learned to listen to me in a way he never really did before. I knew he loved me but now I feel like he respects me and trusts me too.

On the drive home another dog at the rest area barely made a blip on his radar once I reminded him to "be easy". In the past this would have been a big pain (literally) for both of us. He's managed himself in several situations at home that were common trouble spots for us.

It was challenging for me to get "tough" with my voice, give him clear information, and sharpen up my timing, but the reward was phenomenal.

He now has the ability to self-manage his emotions and participate more fully in life. I feel free to enjoy life with him without constantly attempting to manage him.

Kayce - Thanks for SATS... it rocks! PK - Thanks for bringing it into focus for us. You're EXcellent ;-)

Cricket Mara & Solo the wonder dog
The Pawsitive Dog, Inc.
 Bringing Harmony to Life... One Relationship at a Time!

OK, it's official: PK ROCKS!

Mika-Moo and Sadie Ann (English Shepherds) danced the EXcellent dance with PK, LeAnn Spencer, and I this past weekend. We spent the weekend at PK's and worked SATS magic on the dogs (and, dare I say, each other???). When we arrived we had dogs that 'sorta' had a handle on life---when we left, we had dogs that truly overcame their apprehensions with us as handlers. LeAnn and I were both shocked and thrilled (all in the best sense) at what PK was able to coach us through---and at the incredible potential both the dogs and we have via SATS. PK is so patient and clear in her explanations and demonstrations---and determined as a terrier after a rat---pun inuended---to see us "get it". Well, we "got it" and now we are using it.

I have to say, PK worked our butts off---but it was MORE than worth it. LeAnn, Eileen (another student of PK's), and I all met at Agility class this evening and we X'd our ways through class, worked a little conditioned relaxation and had a fantastic time.

Kayce---PK was able to really able to help me get a grip on the whole Michigan experience. She is a supergreat coach/teacher and I am SO thankful that you pointed her out and paired me up with her. She is a great representative of your method---and having such easy access to her (I am in the Chicago area---she is just over the border in Wisconsin) is a blessing. LeAnn and I will be travelling up again for fine tuning and furthering our EXploration of this wonderful method.

Now that I have rambled---PK---Mika was great at class tonight. She was able to 'get easy' very nicely around the other dogs coming in close proximity. What a gift! Thanks!

Wishing you all an EXcellent evening, right HERE on TARGET! LOL!

PS to PK: Sadie is giving the sweetest automatic 'paw' to me when I move as though I am going to pet her on the head---too, too, cool!

Mary Ramsden and Mika-Moo
Holy Sit Summit, IL

I have met and worked with P.K. Shader at Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester Cambridgeshire, England in October of 2005 and later at the National Center for Horses for the Handicapped in Arnhem, Holland. After assisting on a SATS seminar we worked at a project with the horses of the NCPG. I have found PK to be an inspirational trainer, both for humans as for animals. In her very enthusiastic and driven approach she is a real joy to work with. She seems to be convinced that her animal or human students will accomplish their training tasks and I have seen her being right on that part over and over again. PK seems to make the impossible possible and I am proud to count her as a fellow trainer. I am really hoping for an opportunity to work with her again in the near future.

Erica Bokelmann
Gedragstherapeut voor dieren, SATSLL1, SATS Mentor, Alpha lidnr 1225
Wolfheze, Holland

When I first met P. K. Shader it was at a SATS seminar in October 2005, which was hosted by Kayce Cover the founder of the SATS method, it was held at Wood Green Animal Shelters in England. It was really enjoyable to get together with certified trainers and hear about their experiences with training animals the SATS way and how it has changed our lives as well as the animal's lives. I found PK to have a lot of knowledge in animal training, and also good communication skills with people, and was very helpful to everyone.

I then traveled to the Netherlands for another SATS seminar and worked with P.K for a few days, I found her enthusiasm and commitment to train animals was outstanding and she could get them to respond to her very well regardless of whether the animal was nervous or confident.

I found that P.K has a natural ability to instruct people on how to train animals, and to keep their interest in how the method works, and also to make it entertaining for them so that people will remember more and have an enjoyable time. P.K also gives them a lot of encouragement if they are struggling and has a lot of patience to get people to understand. I found her to be confident in her approach, and her helpfulness is second to none

I really enjoyed working with P.K and have a lot of respect for her knowledge and her abilities, she just has the natural ability to inspire people, and I have learnt a lot with her about how to teach people.

Annette Harwood
SATSLL1
Deputy Head of the Dog Section
Wood Green Animal Shelters
Godmanchester Chambridgeshire, England

It truly was a pleasure soaking up a small percentage of your expertise.

Last night we went to the pet store and bought some Solid Gold Millennium. You were right, no corn, no preservatives. They did not have the Wellness brand there. Price was the same a Nutro, but Nutro has corn as the first ingredient and preservatives too. So we have switched.
Went out and got some liver, and will be cooking it up this afternoon.
Played with the dogs and 4 tennis balls for about a half hour this morning and after that they took a nap. When we were done playing I used the Bridge technique with my 2 fingers as you showed me with the command come (to get him back into the house), also using the intermediate bridge and terminal bridge. It worked like a charm. SOOOO COOL!!

After his nap he got a little out of hand and was being aggressive with Oscar so Tamy and I put him in the kitchen, put on our coats on and took Oscar and Kayla for a walk, going out the side door so that Lucky could see us leave. When we came back about and hour later, he was very nice to everyone again.

I printed out the descriptions of the bridge technique from the web site for myself to study too.

My next challenge is to see if I can use the bridge to teach him t go up the stairs. I will let you know when I have succeeded.
You are at the top of my list when anyone needs advice about a dog with behavior problems.
On Behalf of Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue and myself I offer a very sincere THANK YOU for your most generous assistance with Lucky. With time and effort I know that we will be able to help him with his fear aggression issues and transform him into the wonderful Collie that is just begging to be let out.

If MWCR can ever be of assistance to you we will be here to extend our helping hand to you.
Sincerely,

Bob Galanter
President of Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue

Side Bar: Lucky started out a biter but is now an official ambassador for MW Collie Rescue and may be seen at all functions in the company of children and any other humans who need a good canine hug.

Just looking at Synalia website and came across your details.  Been meaning to mail you and thank you for your input at Wood Green recently. It was great meeting with you and being able to learn from your specific experience with SATS and dogs. I don't think I was the only one who will be for ever grateful for your input on conditioned relaxation and the fact that the dog should be "made" to do it if necessary in the first instance.
Hope you enjoyed the NL and had a safe journey back home to the US.
Thanks Again

Jane
Jane Taylor Dip CABT (Coape)
Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers No 00652
LL1 Certified SATS Trainer

People seem to totally miss how incredibly prepared for learning very young puppies are. Why let a dog grow up thinking life works one way only to try to convince it otherwise once it's a mature animal and more resistant to change and generally less open minded? A dog can be trained at any age but a puppy is learning whether you intentionally are teaching or not. SATS give such a great opportunity to develop a communication system with no down side for a puppy and can be a great tool for creating mental suppleness in an animal.
I like your thinking about your puppies. I hope the people you share that with know how lucky they are to be exposed to such thinking.

Mark McCabe
CSATS Trainer
Maryland Center for Canine Behavior

I admire and respect PK Shader's work with dogs. Not only do I highly recommend PK, I also seek her advice on a regular basis. Whenever I have a training challenge, I know I can go to PK for help. Her experience and knowledge have been invaluable to me over the years. Her ability to understand dogs is inspirational. Her understanding of dog and human dynamics is remarkable and her ability to empower owners is truly amazing.

If you have the opportunity to work with PK, count yourself lucky and by all means, TAKE IT!

BD Malone
CPDT, CSATS LL1, Named one of Atlanta's best trainers Atlanta Magazine, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Owner Beastie Darlings

PK did an outstanding job in the Netherlands, where I had the opportunity to observe her.

Kayce Cover
Innovator of the SATS System of Training

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I also had a problem with it (cr) and I also was at the seminar on Sunday and at the previous seminar in Holland. After the seminar PK explained everything in detail with Sue as her demo dog.
The mistake I made was IB and TB a conditioned flat and not the relaxation. After the flat is on cue, you have to wait for relaxed muscles, breathing, and flat ears and then start the IB for the relaxation. I was struggling for 6 months with this and after PK's demo it only took 3 sessions. I promised to capture it on tape but the dog got it so fast that he did it before I could film it from the beginning. I tried it Sunday in my camping car (sorry PK , she told me to wait till I got home) and when I got home I gave it another try, the next day he did it on cue. It is not perfect yet so I'll try to put it on tape tomorrow with some distraction.
BIG THANK YOU PK AND SUE

Kdvcauter
Hondengedrag
Belgium

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Thank you. thank you...thank you....! You are the best! Catchyalaterbye

Alan Turner
Certified Companion Animal Behavior Counselor, Canine Specialization (Canine Behavior Counselor (CBC)) 2003  Member Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors (ACABC)|Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) 2003  Member - Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)|Lay Level 1 Certification (SATS LL1)2005 - Syn Alia Training Systems (SATS)

How's Bentley Training Center, Tennessee

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WOW, it's official: PK ROCKS! Mika-Moo and Sadie Ann (English Shepherds) danced the EXcellent dance with PK, LeAnn Spencer, and I this past weekend. We spent the weekend at PK's and worked SATZ magic on the dogs (and, dare I say, each other???). When we arrived we had dogs that 'sorta' had a handle on life---when we left, we had dogs that truly overcame their apprehensions with us as handlers. LeAnn and I were both shocked and thrilled (all in the best sense) at what PK was able to coach us through---and at the incredible potential both the dogs and we have via SATS. PK is so patient and clear in her explanations and demonstrations---and determined as a terrier after a rat---pun intended---to see us "get it". Well, we "got it" and now we are using it I have to say, PK worked our butts off---but it was MORE than worth it. LeAnn, Eileen (another student of PK's), and I all met at Agility class this evening and we X'd our ways through class, worked a little conditioned relaxation and had a fantastic time. What a gift! Thanks!

Mary Ramsden
Master Chaplin for the Illinois State Police
DBA Holy Sit, Summit Illinois

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brilliant. absolutely brilliant. thank you for continuing to share what you know.  you are the most brilliant animal teacher i have ever met.

do me a favor. go outside, get quiet, and say outloud: if i or any of my ancestors has ever taken a vow of silence or anonymity  for safety or any other reason, I am now breaking that vow and my voice will be heard. My voice will be heard. My voice will be heard.

i trusted my dog yesterday. introduced her to huckleberry. she was brilliant. then it just so happened another dog was waiting for us on the other side of the truck. she was brilliant with her as well. she corrected bad behavior in the other dog without going over the top, for the first time i can remember. she then told me when she wanted to get in the truck, that she'd had enough. of course i listened. this morning she came to field but choose to stay in truck most of the time. i let her.

Suzanne Nelson

TTouch Level 2

Cozi Farm, North Carolina

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Letters from Camp

I want to thank PK and all the troups of dogs for such a wonderful camp 2 weekends ago. Katie Tom and I learned so much! All of you are right about the copious amount of information given in two days! My husband got a firmer understanding of what all my xxing was about. When you don't truly understand, it is hard to confidently explain a technique. He got right in there and participated with enthusiasm. If you can go to camp as a team, it really changes the dynamics of the relationship of canine and humans in a family. I filled out the questionaire that PK sends before the camp with one idea of my Katie and our relationship and left the camp with totally different answers to the same questions. I realized I was fantacizing how more stable she was than reality. After the first day, Katie's eyes even looked different. The "wild" look was diminishing. Light bulbs were shining for her just like it was for Tom and me. The most informative activity we did was to play a game that PK developed that put us in the role of a dog. Sounds funny but Tom and I had to play it to really understand what was going on in Katie's mind when we were trying to communicate with her. Tom excelled at it, I struggled some! I will never forget that game! Thanks PK. We took away a feeling of a team in trying to get Katie to be less reactive. She showed us she can listen and understand what we were saying without repeating constantly. We are setting up scenes for her now, before we start anything and understand the reward/consequences better. We left camp and stayed in Manitowoc on Lake Michigan. It was a perfect way to end camp! We had 7 days to continue going over all we learned and practice it without any day to day interruptions of our farming life. The phone service was terrible and we had no internet! Katie was really in camp for 10 days, not two! The house was great for "waiting and releasing" The patio was contained with 2 gates. There were 5 doors that lead out somewhere on to the patio. We talked with her and taught her to fetch a frisbee off the patio and bring it back up the steps to us and give it, with only one explaination! Tom was so proud he could tell her that and she did it! HE FINALY UNDERSTOOD TALKING IN SENTENCES AND NOT ONE WORD GRUNTS!!!! We taught her how to swim in Lake Michigan. She is very shy around water. The waves were strong and different for her. We took baby steps and explanations, and she swam twice. It wasn't her favorite activity, but you could tell she wanted to keep trying. We distinquished wading and swimming and she chose wading mostly. But that was OK! There was even a Doberman next door that had the same personality of Katie. It was reactive and barked at everything if it was out. It gave us a chance to "harp" on get easy or I will get you easy. Tom is all excited about making signs of reminders of expectations and putting them at every door! Not for Katie but us! It is so great to be a team doing Satz. I know Katie has a long way to go but we are taking the baby steps with more knowledge now. She still has a lot to getting easy around other dogs. She is one of those rude ones, who doesn't know when a dog is saying no. PK worked with us during the workshop with this. We need to find a calm dog and work some more with the fencing and Sorry, Bye. Now get easy! Thanks so much,PK. It was great!

Light the Fire

In YOUR Dog

With For Love of Dogs, PK and SATZ!