Blogger Biographies

Roger Abrantes, PhD in Evolutionary Biology and Ethology, and BA in Philosophy, DHC, DF, MAPBC, born in Portugal in 1951, has lived most of his life in Denmark.He is the author to 17 books in English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, and Czech, and innumerous articles on behavior. He is probably one of the most versatile ethologists in the world.

His work ranges from lecturing at the Etologisk Institute, where he is the scientific director, to appearances as guest lecturer in universities world wide, popular talks, treatment of behavior problems, as well as teaching canine and human behavior to police officers.

He has written popular books with sound advice to pet owners as well as theoretical scientific dissertations. He teaches ethology, anthropology, and epistemology (theory of knowledge), besides his practical work with dogs and horses.

Cindy Bruckart is the owner of The Puppy Playhouse Dog Daycare & Training Center.

She prides herself on being a pioneer in the dog daycare industry, advocating for a well-balanced daycare experience that includes appropriate socialization, rest, reinforcement of basic manners and enrichment.

Cindy's training philosophy centers on relationship and clear communication. She doesn't believe that science and spirituality are opposites or competitors. Her goal is to arm dog owners with scientific facts that can be coupled with the spiritual and emotional connection we feel for our pets in an effort to enhance the human/animal bond.

Cindy is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She conducts both group and private training and is also an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.

Elisabeth Catalano, M.A., CPDT, CDBC, CPBC (“Liz’) is a professional dog trainer and behavior counselor. She is the owner and Director of “All Canines Great and Small Dog Training” in Central, NJ and instructs classes at the renowned, St. Hubert’s Dog Training School in Madison, NJ.  Liz is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and The Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement. Liz is an experienced clicker trainer and teaches all levels of general pet training as well as specialty classes, including: adult dog playgroups and the well-known “Feisty Fidos” (dog-to-dog) aggression classes.

Tara Choules CCPDT, MAPDT 00852, CAP2, HNC

Involved professionally with dogs since 1977, Suzanne’s background is widely varied, with experience in breeding, kennel management, grooming, showing, training, canine midwifery, puppy aptitude testing, instructing, behavior consultations, in-home training, K-9 Search & Rescue, holistic health care and various club memberships & activities. 

Catherine Collignon is engaged in the pet dog training profession in France with a specialization in behavioral rehabilitation.

In 1993, she studied psychology at the CERFPA (Center of Study, Research and Formation in Applied Psychology, Nice -France) with a special interest for canine social behavior and aggression.

She is the founder and owner of ANIMALIN, the School of Clicker Training, Dog Training, and Animal Behavior. A vocational training center with courses dedicated to anyone who wishes to practice pet dog training following ANIMALIN’s philosophy. ANIMALIN was the first training school in France with a specialization in clicker training.

In 1999, she attended the Association of Pet Dog Training (APDT) conference in San Diego and became an APDT member.

In 2000, she studied at the Northern Centre for Canine Behaviour (Durham - England) with John Rogerson.

Pet Expert Steve Dale is the author of the twice weekly syndicated newspaper column “My Pet World” (Tribune Media Services). He’s also the host of nationally syndicated radio programs Steve Dale’s Pet World, The Pet Minute with Steve Dale; and Steve Dale’s Pet World on WLS Radio, Chicago.He’s also a contributing editor at USA Weekend.

Nicholas H. Dodman

Professor, Section Head and Program Director,
Animal Behavior Department of Clinical Sciences
Tufts’ Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
North Grafton, Massachusetts

Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman is one of the world’s most noted and celebrated veterinary behaviorists. He grew-up in England and trained to be a vet in Scotland. At the age of 26, he became the youngest veterinary faculty member in Britain. It was at that time that Dr. Dodman began specializing in surgery and anesthesiology.

Michelle Douglas, CPDT, CDBC formed THE REFINED CANINE, LLC and began training dogs and their people in 1997.  The Refined Canine, LLC utilizes positive training methods, which are family and dog friendly, FUN and proven to work.  Michelle offers group classes, private lessons and behavior consultations; she is a Presenter for the Dogs & Storks™ Program, an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator and a Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College.  She has published articles on various aspects of owning and training dogs and is a featured author in the book The Dog Trainer’s Resource, The APDT Chronicle of the Dog Collection.  Michelle has been featured in major local media and is a regular guest on the top-rated local morning radio show: ‘Chaz & AJ in the morning’ on 99.1 FM WPLR in New Haven CT.

Kelly Gorman Dunbar is a cofounder and the executive editor of the dogstardaily.com and a contributing editor at dogtime.com.

She is the President of Open Paw, a non-profit organization devoted to addressing the unwanted animal problem in a whole new way, arming communities worldwide with valuable user and animal friendly training and behavior information with the goal of keeping cats and dogs out of shelters by keeping them in their original homes. Kelly lectures internationally on the principles of Open Paw and consults for animal shelters regarding layout, and staff-and-animal training protocols and procedures.

She is a Director of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior, a multi-faceted business that focuses on teaching people how to train their dogs to be the best canine citizens possible.