About Me

My name is Suzanne Kalafian. I am a professional certified Dog trainer, with many years of experience. I received my certification from Animal Behavior College. Through ABC I learned many different facets of Dog Training, Dog Behavior, and so much more. It gave me the foundation for which I could build and grow in the field of dog training. After I completed extensive bookwork and many tests I moved on to work as an apprentice for a private dog trainer in the Bethlehem area. With her I gained more information than I thought possible. She was able to teach me the ins and outs of the business and help developed my skills as a trainer. This truly gave me the confidence to move out on my own. It seems like yesterday but I have been out on my own now 8+ years.

I began training in Pennsylvania and had a very successful business of private clients and classes. My business was growing in leaps and bounds, when we discovered we were getting transferred to North Carolina for my husband's work. So in 2004 I moved my business with me and started from scratch here in North Carolina. We love it here!!

My love for dogs comes through in my training methods and I tailor my program to meet your particular dog. Each and every dog is different and they all learn at different rates. Some training methods work better for one dog than another. I am willing to put in the time to discover what works best for your dog. With every new dog and owner I train, my love for what I do grows 10 fold.
I am an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. I also belong to the IACP and APDT which are professional groups offering a wide array of continuing education, workshops and creative outlets for learning and sharing training experiences.

I have a family who also relies on me. I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive. He encourages me in so many ways and supports my business decisions even when I make poor choices.  My 2 teenage girls are the lights of my life. They are teenagers and sometimes a challenge, but they are Great girls who have very full and rich lives ahead of them. I hope they can live their dreams as I have been able to in all areas of my life.

I have a chocolate Lab that I adore and a Jack Russell who has helped me grow as a trainer in many ways.

I cannot forget to mention Annie she is our cat. She found us and now we wait on her just like we are supposed to. No, I do not train cats I just live with one and she graciously allows us to share her house.

Please browse my site and feel free to visit my blog at http://superiordogtraining.blogspot.com/. I also have a Google group you can join http://groups.google.com/group/superior-dog-training.
I am always available for questions or comments.

Meet My Gang

My Name is Hershey. I am a Chocolate Labrador retriever. I am very loving and loyal and will do anything to make Mom happy. I love other dogs and people. Mom says I make the perfect demo dog, but she takes very little credit for my behavior. She says I am just naturally a good dog.

At 11 1/2 years old I am doing very well. I still love walks even though I cannot go that far any more. Sometimes my Mom takes me to training class with her. I love to see all the other dogs and I will play for 10 minutes then I need to take a little rest. If you bring treats to training you will be my best friend and I will follow you around all day.

My Mom always says there is no food I won't eat and I think she is right. I love my brother Spike, but sometimes he can be a real pain in the neck.

I have had several surgeries. My knee stopped working right and hurt so bad, they did x-rays and I tore my cruciate ligament. The nice surgeon did surgery to fix it and I recovered from that well. Next they found a malignant tumor on my side before I knew it they were taking me in again to take it out. They removed the tumor and it was removed clean. Not long after that we went for a wonderful hike and I hurt my toe. The vet thought I broke the toe nail and it would grow out. 8 months later the pain got real bad and I couldn't walk well, the toe finally erupted and it turned out to be a form of cancer. They took my toe off; my Mom said I looked like a dinosaur. It has all heeled and I am back to my normal self. Despite arthritis and hip dysphasia I am doing great and back to walking.

This is our wonderful little orphan Annie. She is 14 years old and in wonderul health.

My name is Spike and I live up to my name very well. I am a Jack Russell. You know the old saying looks are deceiving that fits me very well. I am adorable I must admit, but I do not like strangers, people or dogs, so you have to stay out of my bubble. Once I get to know you I will love you forever and you will enter my special pack, but be patient it takes a little time to win me over. I have to say a ball or Frisbee doesn’t hurt when trying to win me over and treats are always welcome.

Some of my favorite past times are walks, but my walks are full of fun stuff. We have to stop at corners and make sure that no cars are coming before we cross the street. Sometimes when we see a squirrel I have to down until the squirrel is safe up a tree then Mom will let me sniff around the tree. When we see other dogs approach, I cannot look at them, instead I look at Mom for any directions she may have for me. I know she will not let anything hurt me and she is my lookout. Sometimes I have to be reminded to watch her, but I try very hard because it makes her happy.

I love my Frisbee and a great game of fetch. We play these lots in the yard. While playing we do other fun stuff as well, like sit and stay, Mom throws the Frisbee and then tells me to go get it. We do tricks also. I can walk through her legs and jump very high, I also like to go around her and sit at attention. I can sit, down and sit back up again. It is all lots of fun. I can even catch the frisbee in mid air. I have to watch it carefully or else I lose it in the air. I think my record is 10 or 12 in a row. That's awsome, don't you agree? I am not sure who is more proud me or my Mom.

I love my big brother Hershey. He doesn’t play too much, but once in a while he will play a little with me. I do like to follow him on hikes, he can find all the smelly good stuff along the way.