About Us

Meet The Trainer - Marie Devaney

Hi – I'm Marie Devaney, owner/trainer of The Fundamental Dog, dedicated to helping dogs and their people build relationships based on trust and understanding. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to love your dog but not be able to “control” him. For over a decade, I've studied with some of the leading experts in positive-reinforcement dog training, and I find great joy in sharing that knowledge with real-world dogs and their owners.

As a volunteer with two national rescue groups (first Aussies, then Springers), I've fostered well over one hundred dogs – and they have been my best teachers! I've also taught dogs in shelters, provided training to shelter adopters and volunteers, and counseled foster parents and adopters around the country.

I'm a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers . I strive to keep current with advances in dog training through seminars, workshops, books, and professional trainer discussion groups. As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, I completed an intensive education process and was required to demonstrate a high level of skill in training dogs as well as teaching dog owners. For more info about this certification, visit http://www.karenpryoracademy.com

My Dogs

Kitty – English Springer Spaniel: Kitty came to us as an injured foster dog. She totally won our hearts with her charm, spunk, and unique beauty. She makes us laugh every day! We adopted her from ESRA and she has become a beloved companion and training buddy, often attending class to serve as demo dog. Our goals are to complete her Canine Good Citizen this year, and become certified to do hospital visits in the future. If you're curious about how Kitty got her name, visit her rescue page to read the complete story.

Harry – Miniature Poodle: Harry was our foster dog who was rescued from the Montgomery County Animal Service Center in March 2008. He's a delight, and we wanted to adopt him almost immediately (even if we wouldn't admit it at first). He's having a blast learning with clicker training. Harry has started coming to classes and is developing into a great little demo dog. See Harry's Before and After photos in the Photo Gallery.

Dedication

Like many of you, I grew up with dogs and loved them all dearly. In 1996, I met an English Springer Spaniel at the Humane Society of Montgomery County, TX. He stole my heart in an instant.

Rudy was young and energetic, with a great spirit and personality, which more than made up for his lack of house manners. Determined that this dog would be well trained, I set off with a book, a leash, and a choke chain to teach him some commands. We weren't very successful. Rudy didn't seem to like it, and neither did I. Was Rudy somehow deficient? Was I simply incompetent? There was so much I didn't know.

Thank goodness we took a class with Tracy Waterfallen, who suggested we try clicker training. A whole new world opened up for Rudy and for me! No more corrections. Gone was the choke chain. We were working together, having fun, and succeeding without force or conflict.

My goal with The Fundamental Dog is for you and your dog to have as much fun as Rudy and I had for the next ten years – by discovering a way to communicate, a way of learning together in a joyous partnership.

This website is dedicated to the memory of one very special English Springer Spaniel and the legacy he has left for me to share with you.

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