Mr. Bernhard has been training dogs for over 35 years. Approximately 18 of those years Mr. Bernhard has trained mostly hunting dogs for private clients and the local gun clubs throughout the area as a hobby.

Before Mr. Bernhard turned professional in 1986, he worked at District 5-0 as a highway designer and supervisor, preparing highway construction plans for numerous state projects throughout a five county area for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Having taken an early retirement, Mr. Bernhard decided to devote his life to what pleases him the most, teaching people to better understand their dogs.

Before entering the profession full time, Mr. Bernhard decided to upgrade his knowledge and skills on dog training and animal behavior by attending National K9 School for Dog Trainers in Columbus, Ohio.

The "National K-9 School for Dog Trainers" is approved by The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (#82-02-0753T) and complies with all rules and guidelines they have established. The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools provides regulatory structure for programs, operations, and consumer protection mechanisms, which promote quality proprietary education for students that attend school in the State of Ohio.

While attending National K9 School for Dog Trainers in October of 1986 and under the supervision and direction of Mr. Scott Mueller, the school's founder and master trainer, Mr. Bernhard studied and trained in the areas of Advanced Obedience, Kennel Management, Utility Training, Handicap Training, Tracking and Scent Discrimination, Personal Protection, and Basic Police K-9 along with learning practical solutions in solving many dog behavioral problems.

In November of 1986 Mr. Bernhard graduated from National K9 after having passed a written exam, and also by demonstrating his ability to train dogs in all phases of obedience and police work.

Much of Mr. Bernhard's work today is in helping people understand how to effectively communicate with their companion dog using humane training methods, by way of private training and counseling sessions, group lectures, problem solving workshops, video tapes, and telephone counseling sessions when appropriate.

 

 

 

 

A Few of Mr. Bernhard's Credentials

- Mr. Bernhard has trained dogs and owners, privately and in groups, in all phases of basic and advanced obedience.

- Developed humane and effective dog training programs based on each dog's unique personality, temperament and social background.

- Prepared dogs and owners for AKC Obedience competition.

- Conducted seminars, clinics, and individual counseling on all canine behavioral problems, with aggression problems a specialty.

- Developed an extensive reconditioning and training program for problem dogs.

- Counseling first time dog owners on breed selection

- Written workbooks for puppy training, workbooks on how to train the older adult dog, and published several articles on canine behavior and training.

- Prepared several audio tapes and video tapes on dog training, used also as a supplement to aid in supporting and clarifying training techniques.

- Presented talks to many schools, civic, groups, animal shelters, and other organizations on dog behavior.

- Trained specialized protection dogs for police officers and attorneys who by choice of their profession have been threatened by society.

- Trained dogs for the physically impaired.

Mr. Bernhard's methods have proven very successful over the years because they are based on educating the owner along with the dog. Dog and owner form a "team," and both have to be trained so they can develop a strong and lasting bond.

Education becomes the basis for real communication between dog and owner. Which is why...

Member of:

NATIONAL K-9 DOG TRAINERS ASSOCIATION

Trainer's Certification

Richard Wm. Bernhard C.P.T.

Registration Number 1086-160