For pet parents seeking effective, evidence-based dog training solutions, Canine PhD in Decatur stands out as a beacon of excellence.
Born of a passion to help shelter and care for homeless dogs, Owner and Lead Dog Trainer, Meredith Minkin, founded Canine PhD in 2008. She started teaching classes in a parking lot in Inman Park. Canine PhD has now grown into a comprehensive training facility that offers a range of services to cater to every dog’s needs. "We really focus on the dog-human relationship. It's not just about the human nor just about the dog, but how you work as a team,” explained Sarah Currier, one of the facility’s Certified Professional Dog Trainers.
At Canine PhD, training is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you have a puppy needing basic life skills or a dog struggling with challenging behavior issues, their team is equipped to handle it all. “We do everything from puppy basics to complicated behavior cases like human-directed aggression, dog aggression, resource guarding, leash reactivity, separation anxiety, and more," explained Minkin. They also train service dogs specializing in hearing assistance dogs, medical alert dogs, mobility assistant dogs, and psychiatric service dogs.
What sets Canine PhD apart is their philosophy: “Do no harm”. That includes staying apprised of the latest scientific understanding of dog behavior. Minkin emphasizes the importance of staying at the forefront of ethical dog training through continued education, often sending her trainers to workshops, conferences, and seminars across the country. “We take time away from the facility to learn about the newest training techniques used by leading scientists, veterinary behaviorists, certified applied animals, behaviorists, and trainers,” said Sarah Currier.
The team also employs the LIMA approach, “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”. This minimally aversive strategy utilizes humane and effective tactics that achieve a training or behavior change objective. This means no fear, intimidation or conflict during the dog’s learning process. The team works collaboratively to meet every dog’s needs. "Our team really works well together,” explained Currier, “Our collaborative approach allows us to provide holistic care for the dog-human relationship.”
Beyond basic life skills and reactivity training, Canine PhD offers performance-based work such as agility, nose work, swimming, dock diving, and more. The facility also has board-and-train programs and day training programs to accelerate dogs’ learning in their own environment.
The passion for dogs and their owners is at the heart of every service provided by Canine PhD. It is certainly the case for Practice Manager Michael Malone who says, “We love dogs here, and we get to work with wonderful clients too.” This deep connection between the trainers and the dogs they work with creates an environment where both dogs and owners thrive. Whether you’re looking to improve your dog’s behavior or want to try something fun like swimming lessons, Canine PhD is where every dog can reach their full potential.