Cindy Houser CTBC, CGC Evaluator
Professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Cindy Houser doesn’t simply love dogs, she’s passionate about helping develop healthy relationships between dogs and their humans. With experience as both a private trainer and group class teacher, Cindy has worked with puppies and dogs of all ages and breeds, from mastering basic obedience cues to conquering shyness to managing reactivity to earning Canine Good Citizen certification.
As a girl in the Livermore Valley, Cindy’s love of animals led her to join 4-H and FFA, where she raised and showed rabbits and lambs and learned to train her own dogs. She went on to a career in professional nursing and worked with adults and children with disabilities for thirty years. Now retired from the medical field — with adopted dogs of her own and hours of obedience and nose-work competitions under her belt — she’s turned her attention to her other calling: helping people build solid bonds with their In 2015, Cindy attended the prestigious Dog Training Internship Academy in San Francisco where she specialized in R+ (positive reinforcement) dog training and earned her certification as a Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant (CTBC). She has also completed extensive clicker training classes with Terry Ryan, is an American Kennel Club (AKC) Certified Good Citizen trainer/evaluator, and is certified in pet first aid. A lifelong learner, she remains committed to continuing her education in all areas of dog training and behavior.
Cindy taught group classes at the Berkeley Humane society where her nursing background, sensitivity and communication skills, and understanding of family dynamics create the foundation for her approach. A longtime volunteer for BADRAP, she’s assisted with spay/neuter outreach events, weekly classes, and kennel duties as well as fostered dozens of puppies and dogs, including many with challenging health and behavior issues. And the best part is, she’s ready to put you and your dog on the path to a happy and strong relationship
Barbara Stanczyk, CTBC, AKC CGC Evaluator
A professional pet sitter for all types of animals, including cats and even large groups of dogs, Barbara’s passion is helping people better understand their pet dog to create lifelong, happy and healthy bonds.
Barbara’s working relationship with canines began in 2007 as dog walker for a private company in Marin. In 2015, she decided to further her knowledge and take her career to the next level as a professional dog trainer. She completed the Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant (CTBC) program at the prestigious Dog Training Internship Academy in San Francisco. She continued her education through the San Francisco SPCA as well as behavior coach classes with Ken Ramirez and clicker training courses and seminars under the guidance of Terry Ryan. Barbara is also an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certified trainer and continues to expand her base of behavior and training knowledge regularly through workshops and seminars.
Barbara remains committed to her long-time volunteer work with BADRAP, an Oakland-based rescue and advocacy nonprofit for pit bull-type dogs, and with Berkeley Animal Care Services, the area’s municipal shelter. For more than 5 years, she’s spent Saturday mornings paired with a shelter dog for weekly training classes; here, she helps them cope with the stress of kennel life and become more adoptable, well-socialized, and prepared to live and thrive in forever homes.
A teacher and trainer at the Berkeley Humane Society, Barbara specializes in basic manners training for both large and small dog breeds — including puppies — in both one-one-one sessions and classroom settings. For the last four years, Barbara has practiced nose-work with her own dog and continues to find her volunteer work with homeless dogs incredibly rewarding; she’s gained a wealth of animal behavior knowledge in the process.
Barbara is excited to help you and your dog learn to communicate more effectively, better understand how the other thinks, and to ensure everyone has some fun while they’re at it.
Our primary philosophy at In The Company Of Canines is helping people to have a better understanding and strengthen their bond with their canine companion.
We are a positive reinforcement training establishment that will assist you in achieving your goals through group classes and private training sessions.
Our teaching is based on animal learning theory, and is scientifically proven teaching style of how animals learn through a combination of classical and operant conditioning.
We are certified in dog training and behavior consultation through Dog Training Internship Academy based in San Francisco, CA.
