Why am I Different?
A simple internet search shows
numerous “experts” in the field of animal behavior. The
question is, how do you know who’s good, who’s qualified,
and who can be most effective for you? In point of
fact, like most questions, there is no simple answer.
Dog trainers are not required to go
through any certification or licensing process (other than a
business license, which has no relevance regarding skill or
knowledge). Anyone can print up cards and call themselves a
trainer. This creates a very wide range of quality and
knowledge amongst trainers.
Some trainers are highly educated in
the theoretical principles of behavior, but they have not spent a
great deal of time (or any) applying those principles in the
real world. Many trainers look at being an expert witness as a
way of creating big profit centers for themselves.
So how am I different? First,
I have a very wide range of relevant experience in dog
behavior, as well as the pet business in general. This comprises of
training over 9,000 dogs including every recognized AKC breed,
working with dog owners for over thirty years, training over nine
thousand people to become professional dog trainers, and much
more.
One
of my companies, Animal
Behavior and Training Associates, Inc. (ABTA) was the
largest independent dog training company in North America
and the exclusive provider of dog obedience classes for the
entire Petco chain. Petco bought me out of this in early 2004.
My other company, Animal
Behavior College, Inc. (ABC) is a highly respected school
with students in all fifty states and every Canadian province. I also have a successful
book and consulting business in the pet industry as well.
Quite simply,
I have reached a point in my career where I can afford to offer
my services to those causes and/or individuals that I honestly
believe can benefit most from them. It is for this reason that
I am making myself available as an expert witness on selected
cases. Since I believe in putting my money where my mouth is,
please note my fee schedule and compare it to the competition.
I invite reasonable inquiries and look forward to assisting
those organizations and/or individuals looking for justice and
in need of my service.
Respectfully,
Steve Appelbaum
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