Meet The Trainer
Karen McCarthy, Owner & Operator
Karen holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons College and completed her mentor hours at Boston MSPCA’s Behavior Department. Karen is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) , a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), a American Kennel Club Evaluator and Judge, and an Authorized Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College and CATCH. Karen also has a Citation in Animal Cognition from Harvard University Extension School, and regularly attends seminars with the best instructors and theorists in the dog training field, including Dr. Ian Dunbar, Patricia McConnell, Susan Garrett, Kathy Sdao, and John Rogerson. Originally a high school special education teacher working with behaviorally disordered adolescents, Karen switched to professional dog training in 2006. She trained extensively under Jim Barry of Reston Dog Training, better known as the RI Dog Guy. Originally a veterinarian assistant, Karen switched to dog training a over decade ago. Courteous Canine, LLC provides private and group training to Rhode Island.
Her credentials specifically related to dog training are:
Master of Science in Behavior Analysis (simmons.edu)
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (iaabc.org)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (cpdt.org)
Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (CSCC) North Carolina State University
AKC Canine Good Citizen/Star Puppy Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Community & Urban Canine Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Virtual Home Manners (Puppy & Adult) (akc.org)
AKC Trick Dog Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Temperament Test & Farm Dog Evaluator (akc.org)
AKC Fit Dog Instructor Levels 1, 2, 3 (akc.org)
AKC Fetch Judge (akc.org)