ABOUT ME
I'm Joanie. I love dog training.
It lights me up to help people connect with their dogs and learn new things.
I believe in using training to help people cultivate friendships with their dogs, to craft meaningful experiences in learning and enrichment, and to help people seek ways to flourish together over a dog’s lifetime.
I believe that training enables humans and dogs to discover the very best in one another.
Clients and their dogs come to me for my knowledge, creativity, and humor.
I hope to see you and your dog online soon!
Joanie Forry, Ph.D., CPDT-KA, CTC, CCFP-Trainer, CSCC
Me with Paloma, Thelma, Dottie, and Miles
You might be wondering how I discovered dog training.
In 2010, we adopted a puppy and named him Mulligan. As sweet and goofy as he was, his behavior was frequently challenging and stressful. Mulligan’s behavior was frequently fearful and reactive. He’d bark and lunge at other dogs and people. He’d get scared and freeze on walks. I struggled to understand his behavior and help him feel better. I witnessed first-hand how training methods that utilized force and pain exacerbated his behavior problems. I made a promise to Mulligan that he would never be hurt or scared in the name of training again and that I would find a better way.
And I did. I learned how to help him and train him in ways that didn’t compromise our relationship. We started having a lot more fun together.
And, because one of the best things about love is that it spreads itself around, our little dog family expanded.
I live with my husband, and our seven dogs: Paloma, Gus, Miles, Thelma, Tycho, Dottie, and Coralie. Each of our dogs has prompted me to grow and learn as both a trainer and a person. You can learn more about them here.
I know education is important to you, and it’s important to me, too.
When I met Mulligan, I was a Philosophy professor. I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy with a specialization in applied ethics (Temple University, 2008). Before I became a dog trainer, I held academic appointments at Vanderbilt University, the University of Southern California, and a couple of other universities. My years of university teaching experience serve me well. I genuinely love teaching people. Before all that, I earned my B.A. with a triple major in Music (Piano Performance), English, and Philosophy (Heidelberg University).
I earned my Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) and graduated with honors from the Academy for Dog Trainers. I have earned my Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) credentials from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. I am a Fear-Free Certified Professional (Trainer) part of a network of animal professionals dedicated to reducing fear, stress, and anxiety for pets through cooperative care. I am an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, which enables me to evaluate teams for AKC CGC titles, including Trick Dog titles. I am also an AKC FIT DOG Level 1, 2, and 3 Instructor, and I’m so excited to offer canine fitness classes to my students. In 2024, I earned my Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach Certificate from North Carolina State University.
I frequently overcommit myself and sign up for more continuing education courses and events than I could ever possibly finish.
The How and Why of training is important to me, and it’s important to your dog.
I am always delighted to give you the WHY behind what we do together! I’m also always delighted to share how what we’ll do is supported by scientific research and proven industry best practices. Transparency about training methods is something I take very seriously.
My main approach is to maximize the use of positive reinforcement while also minimizing the use of punishment in your dog’s training journey.
We’ll use positive reinforcement to increase the future frequency of behavior. When your dog performs a behavior that meets criteria during a training session, you’ll give your dog something they like, usually food. We’ll also use classical conditioning or counterconditioning to create positive associations and “yay” feelings for your dog.
If your dog performs a behavior that doesn’t meet criteria during a training session, or is otherwise undesirable, we’ll take a pause and examine what’s happening. Sometimes we need management or prevention, adjustments in criteria or other training parameters, or a different approach to help your dog feel more comfortable. Undesirable behaviors can be modified safely and effectively by implementing environmental change, handling skills, and reinforcing alternative behaviors.
I am committed to the behavioral welfare of your dog. I don’t use fear, force, pain, or electric shock to train or modify behavior.
I maintain certifications or professional affiliations with organizations that promote humane, science-based training methods.
I’m not “all dogs 24/7.”
That’s a bit of a fib. I adore my business and my students. It’s hard for me to tear myself away from my computer.
Outside of work, I’m usually doing things with my own dogs, including my ongoing photography project entitled Miles on Hydrants.
I love refinishing furniture, especially if it involves chalk paint.
I’ve worked hard to perfect my homemade pizza recipe over the past twenty years.
I garden, but it usually takes the shape of me planting stuff, forgetting what I planted, and then suddenly having 49 tomato plants.
Peppermint mochas all day long.
Yes, ‘The Big Lebowski’ is my favorite movie.
