Our Newest SFTD Certified Professional Trainer Ionelee Brogna on shock collars, horses, schnauzers, trick training, and learning empathy by selling used books

When Ionelee Brogna decided to bring a Miniature Schnauzer puppy into her NYC apartment a couple of years ago, she knew she didn't want to employ the punishment-based or "balanced" methods that her family had used on their dog back in rural Massachusetts. But she wasn't sure what other options there were. Her research led her to... this podcast! And then to classes at School For The Dogs, and then to our six-month-long Professional Course. Ionelee, who formerly worked in publishing and at New York's famous Strand Book Store, just finished apprenticing with us, and is now starting to see clients. She and Annie discuss her background training horses, the human insight one gains working in the service industry, the surprising lessons learned while teaching a dog tricks, and the challenges associated of living with a terrier who is training obsessed. If you're interested in being notified when we start taking applications for our 2022 Professional Course (aka our "Apprenticeship") join the waiting list at http://schoolforthedogs.com/apprenticeship2022 We will be welcoming four students into our spring cohort. Not in NYC? No problem! The program is fully virtual. Want to learn how you can use dog training techniques on people? Check out our free eBook at http://schoolforthedogs.com/people *** February Special!*** Book a complimentary 15-minute virtual consult with a School For The Dogs Certified Professional Trainer at http://schoolforthedogs.com/freeconsult --- Partial Transcript: Annie: I am joined today by Ionelee Brogna, one of the very most recent graduates of our Professional Course . When she is not training, she is often at the front desk at School For The Dogs and mans our inbox. Her official title is admin assistant and client coordinator. Ionelee, though, something I've wanted to ask you since I've met you, and I've never asked you, is tell me about your name, ‘cause I've never met an Ionelee before. Ionelee Brogna: So it's a variation on my grandmother's name, which was Ione space Lee, and my parents smooshed that together so that my middle name could be my other grandmother's name, which is Carol. Annie: Oh, and is Ione a kind of, is that a name from somewhere? Ionelee: Yes, it's Scottish actually. Annie: Oh, okay. Ionelee: Which is ironic. Cause I'm mostly Italian and Mexican, but… Annie: [laughs] But your grandmother was Scottish. Ionelee: Yes. Annie: And her name was Ione. Ionelee: Yes. Annie: Well, it's very pretty. Although it's, I've noticed and I'm guessing you've noticed in your life, people refer to you sometimes as Lone-ly. Ionelee: Yes, I get Lonely a lot. I like to tell telemarketers that I'm not lonely. I do have friends. Which is why a lot of times I'll just sign my name fully in lower case. Annie: Well, anyway, it's a beautiful name. So, I wanted to have you on today to hear about your journey into the world of dog training. Because, as I know, and as other people on staff know, you started out with us as a client, then started working for us doing work at the front desk, and now have graduated our apprenticeship program... Full Transcript at SchoolForTheDogs.com/Podcast Get full access to Don't Be a Dick to Your Dog at dogtraining.substack.com/subscribe