
Tracey Schowalter is the Dog Training and Behavior Consultant at Affinity Dog Behavior & Training. A graduate of Georgia State University, she has been training professionally since 2000, and on her own pets (dogs, cats, and a parrot) since she was a child. She has been a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), Truly Dog Friendly, and The Professional Pet Guild (PPG).
Tracey is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She graduated from first and second levels of the Peaceable Paws Intern Academy of reknowned author, editor and former President of the APDT, Pat Miller, and attends many lectures and workshops including annual PPG and APDT conferences and Clicker Expo. Tracey has attended lectures and workshops featuring such giants in the industry as Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Karen Overall, Dr. Ray Coppinger, Dr. Pamela Reid, Pat Miller, Karen Pryor, Kathy Sdao, Ken Ramirez, Jean Donaldson, Kathy Cascade, and many other ethologists, behaviorists and top trainers in the industry.
When you hire Tracey for training or behavior modification for your dog, rest assured you are receiving training based on current dog training methods and learning and behavior theory. Lessons are taught using reward-based and scientifically proven methods, specifically clicker training for manners training. Tracey strongly agrees with the phrase, "Learning Shouldn't Hurt!" coined by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (Never Shock a Puppy) and applies it to her methodology.
A long history of concern for animal welfare and an abiding love of animals has led Tracey to volunteer with various organizations such as The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA), English Springer Rescue (ESRA), Gwinnett County Animal Shelter and a brief stint with Zoo Atlanta. At the HSNEGA, she taught two free monthly one-hour workshops for new puppy and dog owners. She taught Manners and More training classes at the HSNEGA and has worked with staff on a training program for volunteers there (See article and video here). She also volunteered her time to ESRA in Georgia to help evaluate "aggressive" relinquished dogs.
For 14 years, Tracey owned and operated Puppy Adept, Inc. a dog training and behavior facility in Gainesville, GA. In her move to Florida, she dissolved that company and opened Affinity DB&T for a fresh, new look.
Tracey is driven by a desire to see the relationships of dogs and their guardians flourish through "positive" training methods. She shares her new Florida home with two dogs and a husband.
Please take a look at our testimonials page to see how Tracey has helped others.
Tracey is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She graduated from first and second levels of the Peaceable Paws Intern Academy of reknowned author, editor and former President of the APDT, Pat Miller, and attends many lectures and workshops including annual PPG and APDT conferences and Clicker Expo. Tracey has attended lectures and workshops featuring such giants in the industry as Dr. Patricia McConnell, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Karen Overall, Dr. Ray Coppinger, Dr. Pamela Reid, Pat Miller, Karen Pryor, Kathy Sdao, Ken Ramirez, Jean Donaldson, Kathy Cascade, and many other ethologists, behaviorists and top trainers in the industry.
When you hire Tracey for training or behavior modification for your dog, rest assured you are receiving training based on current dog training methods and learning and behavior theory. Lessons are taught using reward-based and scientifically proven methods, specifically clicker training for manners training. Tracey strongly agrees with the phrase, "Learning Shouldn't Hurt!" coined by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (Never Shock a Puppy) and applies it to her methodology.
A long history of concern for animal welfare and an abiding love of animals has led Tracey to volunteer with various organizations such as The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA), English Springer Rescue (ESRA), Gwinnett County Animal Shelter and a brief stint with Zoo Atlanta. At the HSNEGA, she taught two free monthly one-hour workshops for new puppy and dog owners. She taught Manners and More training classes at the HSNEGA and has worked with staff on a training program for volunteers there (See article and video here). She also volunteered her time to ESRA in Georgia to help evaluate "aggressive" relinquished dogs.
For 14 years, Tracey owned and operated Puppy Adept, Inc. a dog training and behavior facility in Gainesville, GA. In her move to Florida, she dissolved that company and opened Affinity DB&T for a fresh, new look.
Tracey is driven by a desire to see the relationships of dogs and their guardians flourish through "positive" training methods. She shares her new Florida home with two dogs and a husband.
Please take a look at our testimonials page to see how Tracey has helped others.