Crestline residents opens dog training business for area owners

CRESTLINE — Casey Biederman's goal is to mold dog owners into dog trainers.

Biederman recently opened her own business, Calm Dog Project. The Galion-Crestline Area of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting at Kelly Park on Wednesday.

“We named it the Calm Dog Project because that's the goal, to get dogs confident and comfortable, so they can be calm in any environment,” Biederman said.

About 15 people and several dogs attended the ribbon-cutting. Some of the dogs posed for pictures.

Biederman conducts in-house training sessions.

“We work in the environment that the dog's having challenges in, so we can work with it in clarity and it knows the expectation,” she said.

Biederman also is a proponent of positive reinforcement. There will be no shock collars or other disciplinary measures in her training methods.

“Everything we do is force-free,” Biederman said. “I think it's a well-rounded program. We've had success with a lot of dogs so far.”

In addition to training, there will be public class opportunities, hiking and walking events and more for pet owners to get involved.

Biederman moved to Crestline a couple years ago

A Colonel Crawford graduate, Biederman moved to Crestline a couple years ago. She wants to get involved with the community.

“I had an interest in zoo animals. That's where I learned the positive reinforcement,” Biederman said. “You can train a whale to pee in a cup without punishment and correction. You can train a lion or a tiger to stick its tail out of a cage to do a blood draw.

“That transfers to any animal.”

Biederman got started in dog training when she was around 9 years old and a 4-H member.

She has worked as a trainer before, as well as at grooming and veterinary practices. She now works part-time at the Richland County Dog Shelter helping get dogs ready for adoption.

Biederman offers free consultations. She can be reached at 419-512-9464.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

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