About Sharon Mear

Revered by a long list of 4-legged clients and their appreciative parents and caretakers, Sharon Mear is recommended by leading veterinarians, animal care professionals and organizations throughout New York City. A certified Canine Behaviorist and Trainer, her Manhattan-based practice, Training Cats and Dogs, has been in operation for over 10 years.

A committed animal rights advocate who leads by example, Sharon’s belief is that every person can make a difference in the world. It is this firmly held principal that led her to transform her career and move from the entertainment industry and later working with corporate-based businesses, to her current occupation of teaching people how to train and understand their animals using respect, compassion and a variety of positively-based techniques and evolving methods.

Sharon lives in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood with her own adopted cat, Billie Blue and sadly until recently, with the very special “Mr. Cheeks” Gillepsie, who passed away. Additionally, she is the stand-in Mom for Patch, an 8 year old rescue Cattle Dog/Hound mix, as well as for Kooper, Lollie and an ever-growing list of other loving animals around town

Accreditations and Professional Affiliations:

• Graduate of Animal Behavior Center of New York (ABCNY)
• Certified Canine Behavior Counselor (CBC)
• Member Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
• Member Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors (ACABC)
• (AKC) American Kennel Club approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Methods

Training Cats and Dogs is an evolving program developed over my years in practice, working with people and teaching them how to train and better understand their animals. At a fundamental level, my techniques come out of the simple observation that when a dog or cat does something and gets pleasure from it, he or she will do it again. This idea shapes the basis for the methods I use and teach: reinforce good behavior with attention, praise, treats and play; ignore or redirect bad behavior. Praise, practice and patience are the essential instructions you’ll hear from me often.

Since my program works best when it integrates easily into daily life, my focus begins by understanding your own specific situation and parameters, and your needs and expectations. Once I get a clear picture of these, I shape a program of straightforward, simple techniques and then guide you through the process of learning to use them. While teaching you how to work with your pet, I also coach you to better understand his or her communications and needs.

After each of our sessions together, you will see a real, marked improvement in your own abilities to use techniques that work in training your pet. You’ll also see your pet’s behavior and abilities improve, and based on your commitment to practice, your pet will continue sharpening his or her abilities to attentively listen and respond to your commands. At the end of most lessons, I’ll also leave you with written materials that will remind you of the step-by-step processes our lesson has covered.

I offer competitively priced selections of packages that allow you to choose a program that works for your schedule, budget and needs. Whether the situation calls for a customized, multi-step program or a one-time Consultation, together we can figure out what your situation requires and the best way to shape our work. Call me so we can discuss your specific needs.