About

Amanda J. McKitterick, KPA-CTP, ABCDT

Animals have always been Amanda’s true love and passion in life. Starting in 5th grade, she became very fascinated by animal behavior in marine mammals. That curiosity continued to spread to other species. When she was 13 she trained her family first dog just for fun. They had a wonderful bond, and she became addicted ever since.

Not realizing this passion to train the family dogs could become a career so she joined the US Navy after high school. This gave her the skills to make a great living in computers, but it never made her truly happy. In 2010, she discovered she could become a trainer full time. Jumping on the opportunity, Amanda enrolled at the Animal Behavior College where she was taught several learning theories, basic behaviors, and more. She began volunteering at a local shelter to start putting her new knowledge to the test. Through the Animal Behavior College, Amanda met a seasoned local trainer and began to intern under her for the next few years. Through the mentoring and teaching of that internship, Amanda was introduced to the wonderful world and science of reward marker training techniques and theories. Intrigued by what she was learning, she continued to attend classes and seminars while beginning to work with clients and shelter dogs in the area.

While attending the Clicker Expo in 2014, Amanda got to feel first hand the power of positive training. The entire conference is set up in such a way that the attendees are encouraged to use and practice the techniques with each other, adding to the wonderful things we were learning in the sessions. She was addicted, and couldn’t wait to learn even more so she could share this wonderful knowledge with her clients. In early 2015, Amanda enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy for Dog Training Professionals to become solidify her knowledge in marker training and become certified in those techniques. She began with their Fundamentals program and continued to the Dog Training Professional program, graduating with distinction in December of 2015. Today, she is proud to be a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and enjoys using all she has learned to help her clients.

Amanda has had the pleasure of helping several families with their furry family members. Basic manners and obedience, dog safety, bite prevention, as well as assisting new parents better prepare their pets for the arrival of their new babies. She has also gotten to help several shelter dogs become more adoptable through her training of those dogs and the volunteers that worked there. She loves working with her clients and their dogs to learn to better understand each other and live happily together.

Never satisfied and eager to learn more, Amanda continually attends seminars, conferences, and training to build upon her knowledge in the industry. She has been fortunate enough to learn from some of the industries most respected leaders and experts.

Education

January 28-31, 2021: Clicker Expo LIVE, Educational Conference, Multiple Panels and Workshops
Nov 11-15, 2020: Pet Professionals Guild, Geek Week Educational Conference, Multiple Panels and Workshops
Jan 19-20, 2019: Training & Handling with Aggressive Dogs, Michael Shikashio & Trish Loehr
Feb 26, 2018: TAG Teach, Irith Bloom
May 20-21, 2018: – Helping Fearful Dogs, Separation Anxiety, & Dynamics of Dog-Dog Play Educational Seminar, – Nicole Wilde

2017 – Current: Licensed Presenter of The Family Dog, Child Safety Program
Oct 11-15, 2016: APDT Educational Conference; Various Behavior Modification Panels and Workshops
Jun – Dec 2015: Certification at Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional, Graduated with distinction, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner
Mar – June 2015: Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations
Jan 23-26, 2014: Clicker Expo Educational Conference, Multiple Panels and Workshops

Apr 6-7, 2013: Parrots, Porpoises, Pooches, and People. Mastering the ABC’s of Behavior Analysis, – Dr. Susan G. Friedman, Ph. D.
Mar – Apr 2012: Family Paws Parent Education, Licensed Dogs & Storks and DABC Presenter
2012 – Current: Riverside Emergency Animal Response Service (REARS) Team Member
Mar 24-25, 2012: Positive Solutions to Canine Behavior Challenges, Peaceable Paws Seminar – Pat Miller
June 12-13, 2011: Fearful Dogs, Educational Seminar, – Nicole Wilde

May 2011: Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, #75580
Oct 10, 2011: Adoption Options: Helping Shelter Dogs get Adopted, PetFinder.com Sponsored Seminar – Sue Sternberg
Oct 12-16, 2011: APDT Educational Conference, Multiple Panels and Workshops
Jan 2011 – 2013: Internship/Assistant Trainer
May 10 – Jan 11: Certification at Animal Behavior College, Certified Dog Trainer #78734
June 06 – Associates in Liberal Arts with emphasis on science at Santa Ana College