Dog trainers are NOT REQUIRED to have formal education or pass skills tests before offering their services for payment. They aren’t even required to follow the Joint Standards of Practice and Professional Code of Ethics created and supported by leading industry organizations. This means anyone can claim to be a dog trainer, regardless of their actual education, experience, or intentions.
When it comes to your dog’s well-being, you deserve more than empty promises. Linda has completed rigorous training, earned respected certifications, and consistently deliver positive, lasting results for our clients. Explore her credentials on LinkedIn and discover why she is uniquely qualified to safely help your dog thrive.
Don’t rely on website claims or glowing reviews—demand proof. Look for completed education certificates, not just unverified statements.
For board-and-train programs, always check the Georgia Department of Agriculture for proof of a licensed facility: https://www.agr.georgia.gov/search-licenses
“I believe it is important to be transparent with you as a consumer. Respectful Communications Animal Training LLC is fully licensed and insured. I am a bonded and industry educated professional. My certificates confirm that I have been educated in dog training basics and specialties, and have been assessed by the educational body that issued my credentials. I will continue to educate myself for my safety and to provide more value to you.
I don’t just say I am educated in dog training science and skills… I can prove it. And whether you hire Respectful Communications Animal Training LLC to train your pet dog or whether you go somewhere else, I want you to get the most educated value for your money.” ~ Linda Ross
For full disclosure and for your information on what I have studied, some of the various certification curriculums are listed here.
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2025
12/24/2025 Fear Free® – Increasing Comfort Level with Behavior Cases (Certificate)
12/18/2025 Fear Free® – Canine Cognitive Dysfunction – How to Help Our Aging Patients (Certificate)
12/18/2025 Fear Free® – Using Distractions Fear Free Do’s and Don’ts (Certificate)
12/10/2025 Brain and Behavior Academy Ltd. – Trauma Informed Pet Professionals: Updated Edition (Certificate)
12/8/2025 DogNostics – Dog Trainer Certificate Program (Certificate)
9/24/2025 HeartDog – ACE Essentials (Certificate)
9/23/2025 DogNostics – Dog Training Master Level (Certificate)
9/20/2025 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review) (Certificate)
7/7/2025 Fear Free® Trainers – Partnering with Veterinary Professionals Certificate (Certificate)
7/5/2025 Simone Mueller – Predation Substitute Training (Certificate)
3/22/2025 AggressiveDog.com – The Science of Aggression Webinar (Certificate)
3/22/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Husbandry and Aggression – How to Navigate Blurred Lines Webinar (Certificate)
3/22/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Using Enrichment to Treat Aggression Webinar (Certificate)
3/21/2025 AggressiveDog.com – How to Break up a Dog Fight Webinar (Certificate)
3/21/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Recognizing Pain in Dogs Webinar (Certificate)
3/20/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Learning the Ropes: All Things Leash Handling with Michael Shikashio and Grisha Stewart Webinar (Certificate)
3/20/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Navigating Difficult Conversations. When Euthanasia for Behavior is a Consideration Webinar (Certificate)
3/19/2025 AggressiveDog.com – The Genetics of Aggression Webinar (Certificate)
3/19/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Dog to Cat Aggression Webinar (Certificate)
3/19/2025 AggressiveDog.com – Toward a New Understanding of C.A.T. Webinar (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2024
10/12/2024 Fear Free® – Stress, Health and Behavior: Why Physical Health and Behavior are Inextricably Linked (Certificate)
10/9/2024 Fear Free® – Stress, Health & Behavior: Why Physical Health and Behavior are Inextricably Linked (Certificate)
10/8/2024 Fear Free® – Aging Gracefully: Update on Canine and Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Certificate)
10/6/2024 Fear Free® – Resource Guarding in Dogs – A Fear Free Approach (Certificate)
10/5/2024 Fear Free® – Addressing Noise Aversion in Dogs (Certificate)
10/3/2024 Darkness to Light – Stewards of Children (Certificate)
9/25/2024 Family Dog Mediation Education Center – Certified L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional (Certificate)
9/1/2024 AggressiveDogs.com – Beyond The Bite – Crucial Consulting Skills For Working Aggression Cases (Certificate)
8/31/2024 AggressiveDog.com – Master Course – Aggression in Dogs (Certificate)
8/30/2024 AggressiveDogs.com – Our Dog Bit Our Toddler Webinar – Part Two (Certificate)
8/28/2024 AggressiveDogs.com – Our Dog Bit Our Toddler Webinar (Certificate)
7/14/2024 Fear Free® – Infectious Conditions: What Trainers Need to Know (Certificate)
7/13/2024 Cattledog Publishing – Multi-Course Curriculum: Behavior in Everyday Practice: Step by Step of Managing Behavior Cases in Your Practice (Certificate)
6/11/2024 AggressiveDog.com – You Don’t Know Jack! Troubleshooting Complex Cases (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2023
11/29/2023 Fear Free® – Mitigating Fear, Anxiety, and Stress for Dogs In Isolation and/or Quarantine (Certificate)
10/25/2023 DogNostics – Dog Training Journeyman Level (Certificate)
10/7/2023 Neighborhood Cats TNR Workshop (Certificate)
9/21/2023 DogNostics – Happier Healing Certified Professional (Certificate)
9/10/2023 Fear Free® – Fear Free For Humans (Certificate)
9/10/2023 Fear Free® – The Neurobiology of Toxic Stress (Certificate)
9/9/2023 Fear Free® – Next Level Nail Trims (Certificate)
9/9/2023 Fear Free® – A Close Look At Canine Enrichment – What, Why, and How (Certificate)
7/22/2023 Fear Free® Animal Trainer: Preventative and Proactive Training (Certificate)
6/2/2023 Fear Free® Certified Professional Animal Trainer (Certificate)
3/11/2023 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review) (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2022
12/7/2022 Suzanne Clothier – Maddening to Maturity Webinar (Certificate)
11/5/2022 DogNostics – Dog Training Apprentice Level (Certificate)
11/1/2022 DogNostics – Certified Pet Care Professional (DN-CPCP) (Certificate)
8/18/2022 Suzanne Clothier – Anatomy of Attention Webinar (Certificate)
8/14/2022 Suzanne Clothier – Scent Games for Your Dog (Certificate)
7/30/2022 Fear Free® – Finesse The Chin Rest: The Basics and Beyond For Cooperative Care (Certificate)
7/23/2022 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Veterinary Certified Professional – Equine (Certificate)
6/18/2022 Canine Principles – Senior Dog Care (Certificate)
6/6/2022 Canine Principles – The Dog Rescuers Guide (Certificate)
6/6/2022 Fear Free® Groomers – Simple Behaviors to Help You (Certificate)
6/5/2022 Suzanne Clothier – Better Handler Habits: Awareness is Step One (Certificate)
6/4/2022 Jessica Wheatcraft CDBC, CPDT-KA – Leash Reactivity Webinar
6/4/2022 AggressiveDog.com – Treat – Retreat with Suzanne Clothier (Certificate)
1/4/2022 Fear Free® – Pet Sitter (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2021
7/8/2021 RESCUE® – Veterinary Infection Preventionist (Certificate)
7/8/2021 ISCP – Helping Your Dog In a Post COVID World Award (Certificate)
2/13/2021 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review) (Certificate)
1/16/2021 Canine Principles – Canine Communications – The Language of a Species (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies: 2020 11/16/2020 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Veterinary Certified Professional – Avian (Certificate)
10/29/2020 Pet Sitters International – Health Sanitation and Safety for Professional Pet Sitters (Certificate)
10/24/2020 Fetchfind – Feline Fundamentals (Certificate)
10/22/2020 Fear Free® Shelters – Housing and Environment (Certificate)
10/13/2020 Fetchfind – Bite Prevention (Certificate)
7/1/2020 Low Stress Handling® University – Low Stress Handling® Certified – Silver (Certificate)
6/24/2020 Canine Principles – Positive Dog Training For Ethical Owners (Certificate)
5/29/2020 Pet Sitters International – Health Sanitation and Safety (Certificate)
5/7/2020 Fear Free® Shelters – Intake and Admission (Certificate)
5/7/2020 Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) – How to Protect Your Business Before and After COVID-19 (Certificate)
4/27/2020 Canine Principles – Do We Need To Be Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf? (Certificate)
4/27/2020 Canine Principles – Wolf Awareness – Self Study Workshop (Certificate)
3/25/2020 AggressiveDogs.com – Webinar – Understanding Livestock Guardian Dogs
3/19/2020 AggressiveDogs.com – Webinar – When SH*T Hits the Fan
Primary and Specialty Studies: 2019 12/18/2019 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Certified Professional – Elite (1 of the first 50 in the WORLD!) (Certificate)
8/24/2019 Fear Free® – Shelter Program Core Modules – Certificate of Completion (Certificate)
8/1/2019 IAABC – Trish McMillan – The Shelter Dog Mentorship (Audited)
6/29/2019 Dog Trainers Connection – How to Work Aggression Cases A-Z (Certificate)
5/9/2019 Fenzi Dog Sports Academy – (Webinar) – Peeing on Your Dog’s Toys and Other Myths – Part One of a Two-Part Series on Resource Guarding
5/9/2019 Fenzi Dog Sports Academy – (Webinar) – “Possession Is Nine-Tenths of the…Oh Wait! What Ya Got There?” – Part Two of a Two-Part Series on Resource Guarding
5/5/2019 The Loose Leash Academy – Training and Handling with Aggressive Dogs (On-site) (Certificate)
3/26/2019 Pickens Sheriff’s Office – Pickens Sheriff’s Citizen Academy (Certificate)
3/3/2019 Fear Free® – Success! Proven Fear Free Strategies (Certificate)
3/3/2019 Fear Free® – The Vital Role of Client Service Representatives (Certificate)
3/3/2019 Fear Free® – The Pathway to Happy Clients, Happy Patients, and Happy Veterinarians (Certificate)
3/2/2019 Fear Free® – It Doesn’t Cost – It-Pays (Certificate)
3/2/2019 Fear Free® – The Role of Technicians in Fear Free Podcast
3/1/2019 Fear Free® – Podcast Series 3 – Fear Free® Pets (Certificate)
2/13/2019 Fear Free® – Companion Animal Euthanasia (Certificate)
2/9/2019 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review) (Certificate)
2/6/2019 VetFolio – Pandora Syndrome in Cats
2/6/2019 VetFolio – Understanding the Cat (Certificate)
1/30/2019 Pet Sitters International – Feline Behavior and Aggression Webinar
1/24/2019 Fear Free® – Feline Destructive Scratching (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2018
12/31/2018 VetFolio – Osteoarthritis: Early Recognition and Treatment are Key (Certificate)
11/12/2018 Association of Professional Dog Trainers – Understanding LIMA Webinar (Certificate)
10/5/2018 Karen Pryor Academy – Dog Trainer Foundations (Certificate)
9/2/2018 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Certified Professional – Level 3 (Certificate)
8/12/2018 VetFolio – 2018 Web Conferences: Leptospirosis: Why Awareness and Diagnosis Is Crucial to Your Patients, Clients & Practice (Certificate)
7/4/2018 Dr. Dunbar’s Dog Training Academy – Behavior Problems Crash Course
6/30/2018 VetFolio – Feline Idiopathic Cystitis and The Stressed Out Kitty (Certificate)
6/30/2018 VetFolio – Infectious Disease of Dogs (Certificate)
6/30/2018 Vetfolio – Heroes For Healthy Pets Infectious Disease (Certificate)
6/15/2018 Pet Sitters International – Disaster Planning for Professional Pet Sitters (Certificate)
3/18/2018 VetFolio – Communication 104: Effective Online Communication (Certificate)
2/12/2018 VetFolio – From the Trenches: Practical Tips for Dealing with Ticks and Tick-Borne Disease in Practice (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2017
12/31/2017 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Certified Professional – Level 2 (Certificate)
10/25/17 VetFolio – End of Life Guidelines (Certificate)
10/2/2017 VetFolio – What I Do With An Atopic Dog (Certificate)
10/2/2017 VetFolio – What Do I do With An Itchy Dog (Certificate)
10/1/2017 VetFolio – Let’s Talk Heartworm: Strengthening the Tech to Pet Owner Conversation (Certificate)
9/13/2017 Doggone Safe – Risk Assessment & Safely Handling Multiple Dogs (Certificate)
9/12/2017 E-Training for Dogs – Safe Sitting – Reducing Risks While Caring for Anxious or Aggressive Dogs (Certificate)
8/24/2017 Doggone Safe – DogNostics Dog Bite Prevention Educator (Certificate)
8/20/2017 VetFolio – Communication Certificate Program: Module 1 – Establishing Common Ground With Your Clients (Certificate)
7/17/2017 Fear Free® – Scheduling and Marketing Your Certification Online – Podcast (Certificate)
7/13/2017 Fear Free® – Implementation Guide for Leaders (Certificate)
6/1/2017 Maddie’s Fund – Feline Communication: How To Speak Cat (Certificate)
3/18/2017 Vetfolio – Veterinary Shelter Medicine (Certificate)
3/18/2017 VetFolio – Shelter Medicine Certificate – Module 4 – Shelter Vaccination: Why, When and How (Certificate)
3/18/2017 VetFolio – Shelter Medicine Certificate – Module 3 – Infectious Disease Preparedness Plan (Certificate)
3/18/2017 VetFolio – Shelter Medicine Certificate – Module 2 – Biosecurity in Animal Shelters (Certificate)
3/16/2017 VetFolio – Shelter Medicine Certificate – Module 1 – The Unholy Trinity (Certificate)
2/26/2017 Vetfolio – Managing Otis Externa Effectively (Certificate)
2/25/2017 VetFolio – 2017 Web Conferences: AAHA End of Life Guidelines (Certificate)
Primary and Specialty Studies:
2010 – 2016
12/7/2016 Maddie’s Fund – Helping Shelter Pets Find Health, Happiness, and Homes with Fear Free (Certificate)
12/6/2016 Fear Free® – Fear Free® Certified Professional – Level 1 [1 of the first 20 in Georgia!] (Certificate)
10/27/2016 Pet Sitters International – PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter (Certificate)
10/2/2016 VetFolio – Cesarean Section Dog and Cat Certificate (Certificate)
6/11/2016 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review)
5/10/2012 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Required biennial review) (Certificate)
8/7/2010 Pet Tech® – PetSaver™ Pet CPR / First Aid & Care (Certificate)
Let us help you change those frustrating behaviors and restart your dog on the right path!
Call us: 678-809-DOGS (3647)
or
Currently serving Pickens, Gilmer, and Cherokee Counties, including the communities of Blaine, Hinton, Jasper, Marble Hill, Nelson, Tate, Talking Rock, Ellijay, Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Waleska, and Woodstock
