Erica Pytlovany

Erica is an experienced behavioral consultant, helping dogs and their human families with everything from house training and basic manners to reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, and other challenging behaviors. She also teaches Basic through Advanced obedience skills including tricks and performance obedience like Rally, Fenzi TEAM titles and ring obedience.

Outside of dogs, Erica is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and enjoys training horses with positive reinforcement. She was a volunteer Keeper Aide for three years at the Smithsonian National Zoo, caring for Giant Pandas, Sloth Bears, Asian Small Clawed Otters and other residents of the Asia Trail. She has clicker trained parrots and cats and other animals, but her favorite species to work with? Humans. “The principles of learning are the same whether you’re a person, a dog, a horse or a fish. I love how lessons I learn with one species can make me more flexible and creative with the next species, our species included.”

Credentials

• Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
• Fear Free Certified® Professional – Boarding and Daycare Certification Program
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), 2008-2014
• TAGteach Level 2 Certification
• Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CDTI) – Trainer of the Year
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
• Stunt Dog Judge (Do More With Your Dog)

Available free webinars

• The Power of Tricks: Using Tricks to Help with Challenging Behaviors – Sept 12, 2020
• Nowhere to Go: Leash Reactive Dogs in Crowded Spaces – Aug 27, 2022 (2 hours)
• Nowhere to Go: Leash Reactive Dogs in Crowded Spaces – Jul 12, 2023 (1 hour)