ABOUT LEO TAYLOR, CTC, CPDT-KA (they/them)

Hi 👋 I'm Leo! I've been working professionally with dogs for over 20 years and am endlessly curious about and intrigued by them. My hyperfixation with dogs began in early childhood, and by high school I was training my mom's show dogs. After completing my BA at SFSU I found my way to the San Francisco SPCA, where I had the privilege of teaching thousands of animal-loving humans of all ages while also receiving my own introductory education in fear-free & force-free training. This was a huge relief: I had initially been introduced to training methods that involved a lot of intimidation and compulsion, which didn't align with my vision of how we should treat our friends and family members regardless of their species. I went on to spend several years working in the Behavior & Training division of San Francisco Animal Care & Control, where I honed my ability to make effective and humane choices for the hundreds of dogs and volunteers I assessed, trained, and supported through their shelter journey. I've sought higher education in dog cognition, learning theory, ethology, applied behavior analysis and behavior modification to ensure I'm always serving my clients to the best of my ability.

• Academy for Dog Trainers Honors Graduate (CTC)

• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA)

• Fear Free Shelter Certified

• Pet Professional Guild member & PPG Behavior Team of the Bay Area member

• Insured with Business Insurers of the Carolinas

​Continuing education is a high priority in an unregulated field such as dog training. I regularly attend classes, seminars, and conferences by industry leaders to ensure I'm providing services based on best practice standards.

ABOUT PRICKLY PEAR DOG CARE

My training approach is informed by science and the golden rule. I believe dogs deserve to be treated as the sentient,  emotionally-rich beings they are — which means training that builds trust rather than eroding it. The research backs this up, and so does every dog I've ever worked with.

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Our society leans toward punishment as the primary consequence for whatever we’ve deemed “bad behavior.” But at the same time we’ve evolved to understand that what makes us unique, what drives our curiosity and desire to be better, and what makes our lives worth living is rarely rooted in punishment-based institutions. Besides – what's “good” or “bad” is often subjective depending on who you ask – and I’ll bet you $$ some of the things we have trouble accepting about our dogs serve a very functional purpose in their mind. That doesn't mean they aren't annoying, intolerable, or downright dangerous. My job is to know why your dog does it and teach them alternatives that work better for everyone involved. My job is also to ensure we’re having fun while navigating the change – because we've known for decades that learning and play go hand in hand. Besides, what’s the point of our existence on this pale blue dot if we’re not having some fun?

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I live with two special needs dogs, and it’s important to me that they receive the best possible care when I can’t be with them, but it’s been difficult to find that standard locally. Placing them in the hands of folks who don't understand them, or who quickly reach for punishment in the face of behavior challenges, would likely cause the progress we’ve made in their training and confidence to backslide. With Prickly Pear Dog Care I set out to create the type of space I would want my own dogs to benefit from when I’m away: somewhere they feel safe, seen, and are treated as a top priority.

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When I refer to a dog as a "prickly pear" I might mean a few different things. Maybe they're a little rough around the edges. Maybe they appear hearty and independent but are actually quite sensitive and in need of extra support and TLC. Or perhaps they're the type who tend to poke first and ask questions later. No matter: prickly pears bear sweet fruit and those that love them know the sweetness beneath their seemingly sharp exterior. They're adorable, funny, devoted and wild. They're trying their best and we ought to try our best for them in return.​​