Passion, Experience and Cross Training
Leigh Siegfried, Certified Pet Dog Trainer, is a Penn State grad that left a career in advertising to pursue her passion full time...dog training. While working in advertising, she first got her paws wet as a part time dog walker, shelter volunteer and group class instructor.

For two years, Leigh worked as a Manager and Full Time Trainer with a popular Dog Daycare in Arlington, VA, recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the Best in Behavior & Training, in February 2006.

While there, Leigh had the unique opportunity to observe thousands of hours of dog behavior and manage playgroups of up to 40 off leash dogs at a time. Over the last five years, Leigh has taught 2-4 group classes weekly, and has worked with hundreds of clients privately.

Leigh has also worked in the Shelter field as the Animal Behavior & Training Manager for the Washington Animal Rescue League, arguably one of the most progressive shelters on Eastern Seaboard, as featured in The Bark Magazine, January/February 2007.

At WARL, Leigh performed behavior evaluations, matched and moved dog pairs, taught training classes, did consults for adopters and trained staff on dog-dog interaction and body language, enrichment and rewarding great behavior to increase adoptability!

Coaching People
It's not just about the dogs! Leigh also has several years of training as a coach. She loves to inspire others and shake things up.

Education
Leigh is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and is currently pursuing her Certification as a Behavior Counselor with IAABC Vice President and Animal Behaviorist, Debbie Winkler.

She is committed to her continuing education by reading the latest breakthrough publications, attending seminars and learning from her peers.

She has a BS in Marketing and an English Minor from PSU.

Continuing Education:

• Annual 5-Day APDT Conference, 2003
• Annual 5-Day APDT Conference, 2004
• Pat Miller, Train the Trainer Workshop, 2005
• Annual 5-Day APDT Conference, 2005
• Emma Parsons, Click to Calm, 2-Day Seminar, 2005
• Humane Society of the United States Animal Expo, 2006
• Sue Sternberg, 2-Day Seminar, 2006
• Debbie Winkler, Bridge and Target Training, 2-Day Seminar, 2007
• Sue Sternberg, Pit Bull Workshop, 2007
• IAABC 2-Day Conference, 2007
• Sue Sternberg, Lug Nuts Workshop, 2007
• Intern, Behaviorist/IAABC Vice President Debbie Winkler, Present

Associations:

• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Animal Behavior Management Alliance

Commitment to Community:
As part of her commitment to early pup socialization, Leigh created Free Puppy Playtime in Fall 2003 to provide a safe environment to socialize pups and a place where dog owners have an opportunity to get training advice. Years later, the program continues to grow.

Leigh has volunteered her time with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and the Washington Animal Rescue League working with shelter dogs. And, as she will tell you, it is a profound privilege to work with the dogs (and the people), and an extraordinary learning opportunity.

She is also the Managing Editor and an Educator for GoodDogz.org a non-profit that promotes education and well-matched adoptions for homeless dogs.

Most recently, Leigh has taken an interest in Sue Sternberg's Lug Nuts™ Program, which is a program "organizes and hosts informal weight pulling contests" to give people and their dogs a fun, non-violent sport in which to participate. In partnership with trainers and shelter personnel, Leigh hopes to support getting this program up and running in Philly and DC.