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Devene
Godau, CPDT
Devene Godau,
CPDT has had an obsession with dogs since she was old enough to
say, "Can we get another dog?" In high school her mom sent her
to work at a boarding kennel, hoping that cleaning up after 40
barking dogs would cause an overload and stop the obsession.
Unfortunately, the ploy did not work.
She obtained
a BA in Journalism form Michigan State University in 1995, and
spent several years working in marketing and graphic design.
However, when she adopted a problem dog of her own, she began to
research ways to modify behavior and found several mentors at
Trainers Academy. She first started apprenticing as a volunteer
trainer before quitting her marketing job to work full time in
the dog world. She apprenticed with several instructors,
including Trainers Academy president, Lisa (Laney) Patrona, for three
years, working as her Assistant Instructor for two of those
years.
Devene has earned the title of Certified Pet Dog
Trainer (CPDT), through the Certification Council of Pet Dog
Trainers. In addition, she has earned certification of
Instructor and Behavioral Counselor through the Trainers Academy
Behavioral Sciences Program. She is a Professional Member of the
Association of Professional Dog Trainers,
She continues
her studies by attending professional seminars, which has
included seeing speakers such as Jean Donaldson and Brenda Aloff
She teaches
Puppy and Intermediate Classes in Farmington Hills and Troy and created
the curriculum for Trainers Academy’s
Greyhound’s Only Class, and the CGG Proofing Class.
In addition,
her written work has been published in Walk About
Magazine and on national websites such as greyhoundsupport.org,
WOOFology.com and ConnectingNeighbors.com.
Devene has
been active with Greyhound and Galgo rescue for several years.
Working with Michigan REGAP, she helps coordinate an educational
program for new adopters of retired racing dogs.
She lives in
Royal Oak with her husband, Mark, and their two kids. They are
owned by Sparky, CGC, a Spanish Greyhound, and Kharma, CGC, a
retired racing Greyhound. They also have 4 cats (one of which
has been clicker trained).
And she’s
still asking, "Can we get another dog?"
Read what Devene's students
say:
"Devene seems to genuinely enjoy
the dogs and has a fun sense of humor. She is patient with the
people."
- Karen Kulman with Ripley
"We chose to attend Farmington
Hills (Trainers Academy location) because Devene was teaching
and we had her for puppy class with our (now 2-year-old) Westie,
Quinn. She is excellent. We drove 120 miles round trip to attend
the program, which is wonderful."
- Mary Gaffney with Conor
"I jumped at the chance to get
into the Greyhounds-only class. It's
wonderful to see a groups of these dogs working and interacting.
Lucy spooks
easily and Devene spotted this immediately and showed me how to
work with
her."
- Nancy Sherman with Lucy
"Everyone is so positive - even the dogs! It has been a
pleasure."
-Anna Pietrzak with Lacey