Former classroom teacher Kirsten Wojcik shares her journey to becoming a dog-behavior expert, highlighting the nuances between training and behavior consultation. Her innovative course model blends online learning and hands-on practice, fostering lasting mentorship and deeper canine understanding.

Kirsten Wojcik is the owner and operator of KW Happy Dogs Behavior Consulting and has 28 years of experience as a dog professional.

In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Kirsten discuss:

• Kirsten’s background and transition from classroom teaching to dog-behavior consulting and online courses
• The distinction between dog training and behavior consulting
• The structure and content of her multi-phase canine behavior mentorship course
• Using video for teaching and skill development in an online environment
• Adapting in-person elements due to insurance and reaching a wider, international audience
• Fostering ongoing mentorship and community engagement after course completion
• Effective use of online community boards and discussion tools
• Challenges and benefits of teaching tactile skills online
• Approaches to marketing online courses, including leveraging social media groups and breaking larger courses into segments for broader appeal

“It’s amazing how successful it has been having video to share with my students. A lot of them said they like that better because they were so overwhelmed in a live one-on-one consultation.”

— Kirsten Wojcik

Kirsten Wojcik is an IAABC-Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, a Licensed Family Dog Mediator- Behavior Division, and a Licensed “UnChase!” Trainer. She is also the owner and operator of KW Happy Dogs Behavior Consulting and has 28 years of experience as a dog professional. Her passion for teaching led her to create the three-phase course titled the Canine Behavior Mentorship, which combines both online and in-person learning. It brings Kirsten so much joy to be able to share what she has learned about dog behavior with both canine professionals and dog enthusiasts.

Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:
Mirasee
Ruzuku
Kisten’s website: KWHappyDogs.com

Credits:
Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal
Producer: Michi Lantz
Editor: Andrew Chapman
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

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Music credits:
Track Title: Bossa BB
Artist Name: Marie
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Grace
Artist Name: Shimmer
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Track Title: Carousel Lights
Artist Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Chelsea McGough
Writer Name: Matthew Wigton
Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION
Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS

Special effects credits:
24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.