While in ND, I worked as an animal health technician and also at the local humane society.  Working with dogs in a humane society - dogs which were either abandoned or lost but all out of their element and afraid - I learned to "read" the dog and never had a negative incident.  I quickly moved up the ranks at the humane society and was responsible for all of the public events. My goal was to increase pet adoptions and donations.  I also established a program through which we took animals from the humane society to visit people in geriatric homes - long before that area had discovered therapy animals.  The changes in the people when in the presence of the cats and dogs (& an occasional rabbit) was indescribable.  This was my first professional awareness of the therapeutic benefits animals could bring to individuals in need. 

At the same time Amber came along, I was attending school to become an Animal Health Technician.  I learned a lot about the health issues and anatomy of canines, but also was taught a great deal about handling dogs (& other animals) and the value of confidence and communication with the patient.  While attending classes, I met another student, Cathy.  She had far more dog training experience and she and I became good friends, study buddies and training partners.  Her interest in training was contagious - and I caught the bug.  

Amber and I competed in small obedience competitions and made more training friends with whom I enjoyed competing with in small obedience "competitions."

More books were read.  Horses became a big part of my life.   When working with horses, I discovered the value of communication, the joy of being a part of a team and the everlasting effects of mishandling and miscommunication.   

The kennel also trained dogs for detection work and, soon, I learned how to train detection dogs.  Initially, I was training narcotic and arson dogs (as well as termite detecting dogs!) and I also trained the narcotic dogs for tracking. That was a blast!   The police officers who were picking up dogs came and stayed for a week for their handler's class - and I was part of the team who worked with them.  The dogs were amazing. Dogs I trained worked across the USA and also in South America and Amsterdam. 

I continue to train Allergen Alert Dogs but also train dogs for people with PTSD and people with mobility issues.   Training dogs for “a higher purpose” fulfilled a “bucket list” item.  And, let’s get one thing straight… I had a “bucket list” long before the movie came along and it was a fashionable thing to do!  My list wasn’t called anything quite so creative but it was made for the same reason.

I was the trainer of the second peanut dog, Remy.  She was a small black Labrador rescued from a kill shelter.  Although she initially was trained and sent to work as a narcotic dog, Remy was returned to the training facility having been abused.  Thinking she could not be placed, my employer allowed me to take Remy as my dog - a more loving, forgiving dog you'd never know.   She loved my family but she was super high-energy and itching to work!   So, when a good candidate was being sought to be a peanut detecting dog for an 8 year old boy, I knew it was Remy's destiny.  I turned ownership back over to the training facility and started retraining Remy to detect peanuts.  She was superb - and, through her work for and devotion to the family she became a part of, Remy opened doors for future Allergen Alert Service Dogs and educated the public. Most importantly, she created a much safer environment for her boy.  

My mother came to the rescue, again, treating my little scrapes and cuts. Sobbing, I told Mom that I told Pup to lead me.  My mother words rang familiar:  "I don't think she knew what you were saying." 

 I had been told by a neurologist (in 2006) that my health could take a turn at any moment and that it was time to do all those things I was going to do “someday.”  I made the list and, on it, was to use my talent training dogs to serve a higher purpose… 

When Dallas was 12 weeks old, she and I entered an obedience class taught by Barbara Blue.  She had a spectacular Belgian Shepherd; they competed in AKC Obedience Trials.  Barbara took me under her wing and, before I knew it, Dallas and I were competing in AKC Shows and Obedience Trials. We did alright but our real breakthrough came following a seminar led by Diane Bauman.  With new knowledge and a deeper uderstanding of one another, Dallas and I were truly competition to others at the trials. 

Within a couple of months, I was known as "the dog woman" and couldn't go anywhere without bumping into a client or fielding dog behavior questions!  I loved it.  Each question asked built more knowledge. Each challenging dog helped me better understand behavior and communication. 

Hello!

I am Leslie (Rankin) Staven and am so happy you are visiting this website.  This page is dedicated to telling you about my experiences as related to dogs.  

Fast forward a few years.  I was a little bit older and maybe a smidge wiser… Though not wise enough!  I had heard about "seeing eye dogs" and decided that I was going to train our pet beagle, Pup, to be one!  I fashioned my jump rope into a makeshift harness, I blindfolded myself, I threw open the gate, and I told Pup "Forward" with an overwhelming amount of misplaced confidence.

And forward Pup went... Dragging me straight through the bottle brush bush! 

Although things didn't take off, it wasn't from a lack of interest or potential clients.  It was, in fact, some family hardships which had limited me to being able to train one or two dogs at a time. 

I continued to read and attend seminars, all the while training group and private lessons for decades.  

Eventually, as my children were older and heading off to college, I accepted a position with a training facility.  I initially did all of the "board and train" obedience work.  This meant that owners left their dogs at the boarding kennel and 2-3 times a day, I would train the dog for 20-30 minutes.   After several weeks, I gave the owners a one hour lesson on "how to work their dog."   Frankly, although there was a lot of success, owners needed a lot more time to learn how to relate to and communicate with their dogs.  One single hour was insufficient.  Mercifully, the company allowed owners to come back for help but it wasn't ideal.  

However, for manners, general obedience and competitive obedience, I believe the best option (though not the only one!) is for the owner to learn to train their own dog because, using my programs, very strong bonds form.  I know that sometimes that option doesn't fit into everyone's lifestyle and have had success training dogs for owners who are unable to participate in a regularly scheduled class.

I pride myself in being able to teach people to train their own dogs - in obedience and in service work.   Honestly, training service dogs is a 24/7 kind of thing so most people who need them simply aren't able to train their own dogs. Plus, the initial "rules" for training service dogs tend to be pretty strict and most people who need them find the rules hard to successfully implement while juggling family duties. 

The detection work then morphed into training dogs to detect peanuts for kids with life threatening allergies.  Although some of the same principals of training remained the same, there were definite challenges to train dogs to be suitable to sniff food without drooling or tasting, attend any event/go to any public location and be polite enough to almost be unnoticed in public -- all the while continuing to perform the "job" of detecting even the most infinitesimal amount of the allergen with the highest degree of accuracy!  It was a challenge, to say the least!

Much like teaching a child, there is no one specific method which fits every dog and/or owner.  I take pride in training thinking dogs and thinking owners! My guiding principle is that dog and owner are a team and that an effective team relies on a relationship, fairness, communication, and a clear goal.  I pride myself in having clients who have no doubt that their dog is the best one ever!

I loved Lassie so, of course, I eventually was given a collie.  His name was Prince Patches.  I tried to train him to be just like Lassie and, though he was loved... he was so far from Lassie it made me realize I needed to learn more!  Fast forward into my teen years and enter Prince Patches II (another collie!) and some 4-H obedience classes.  Although he learned far more commands than his predecessor, if there had been a well, he would have fallen in it and I would have had to call for help! ph here.

Throughout my years as a canine coach, dog trainer, animal health technician, avid reader, and workshop participant, in combination with my background in applied psychology and innate connections to canines and equines, I have developed training programs to fit most needs.   Everyone, regardless of special needs, disabilities and/or age are welcome to come train with me.  Children with developmental delays or who "lack social skills" are welcome!!  People of all abilities are welcome!   Training is always adapted to the team of dog/owner. 

Soon, we were transferred to Washington and I took a leap of faith!  Putting an ad in the Air Force base's newspaper, I started teaching group lessons.  

These were the two formative moments that led me to become a dog trainer! 

There have been lots of dogs in my life - dogs which belonged to (back in my early years, dogs were doomed to backyard lives) and, as times mercifully changed, were a part of our family.  There were a lot of mutts as well as Weimaraners, German Shorthairs Pointers, Beagles, Collies, Labrador Retrievers and an English Springer Spaniel.  

It was Remy and her boy who made me so passionate about training the highest quality, most accurate, healthy, loving Allergen Alert Service Dogs available.  After Remy and while still at the training kennel, I trained poodles, labradoodles, labs, spaniels, and "mutts" to be peanut dogs for families fighting to keep their kids safe.  The stories shared with me by families make my heart soar!

It wasn't a bad bite. The poor dog was freaked out by my unorthodox approach.  But I was little and, of course, cried. My mother consoled me as I told her all I wanted to do was tell the dog I liked it.  My mom's response was "I don't think the dog knew what you were trying to say."  

In my adult life, more dogs came into my life and gave me more lessons.There were a few dogs that would now be considered "rescues" including a yellow Labrador Retriever, named Amber.  

I.S.T.

SERVICE DOGS
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
COACHING
VISITATIONS

As someone who has her own medical problems (muscular dystrophy, heart problems now controlled by the pacemaker, scoliosis and more!), I had experienced life in wheelchairs and all sorts of challenging issues as a result to physical limitations.  So, in addition to my passion for training dogs, I have always had a passion for working with children with special needs and creating a more even playing field for all.  From 1976 to the mid 1980’s, I attended the Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camps (as a camper [patient] and also as an attendant), and took part in activities throughout the year. I have worked/volunteered in resource rooms/special education classes with children of all ages who were facing physical, developmental and emotional challenges. I've volunteered with Bullet, providing animal assisted therapy, alongside a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and in resource rooms.  I have an ability to connect with children who are often misunderstood, have disabilities or who are lacking social skills. Bullet has proven himself to be an incredible tool in this area.  With his help, children who have autism and have never talked, have said first words while other children who never talked outside of their own home have had meaningful conversations with him/us.  We both love that work!  But I digress.  Let’s get back to dog training...

In 1985, things became serious when my first Rottweiler, Von Sonnenhaus Dallas, entered my family.  Having read all about the breed, I knew I needed to have a better grip on training & teaching dogs.  Although I 
picked her up in California, my husband, a new 
member of the USAF, and I were in routeto North Dakota. ​

Within a a year, my clients - some who initially just wanted a dog that was better in the house - were competing in trials and earning titles.  I was asked to train two Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppies in preparation for the obedience portion of their first field trial - within two weeks, these two pups were spectacular, scoring the highest marks while winning the praise of the most seasoned owners at the trials! 

I became the manager and lead trainer at this training kennel - and loved it!  After a while, though, things changed and I felt unable to remain with the company.  

Although I thought my days as a service dog trainer were over, people began to contact me for help.  While attending Montana State University and obtaining a degree in Applied Psychology (May 2014), I was asked to be on the television show The Doctors - I jumped at the chance!!

When I was a little girl, somebody had a spaniel on our street. The first time I saw that young dog, I ran and threw my arms around it. I wanted to let it know I loved it so, yes, I gave that dog a big hug... as it bit me between the eyes. 

Horsemanship was all about therelationship.  I would soon apply all I learned in horses to dogs.