About Mighty Mutt Dog Walking and Dog Training

Mighty Mutt Dog Training & Dog Walking is Amanda Ferris's practice, contactable at a Brooklyn, New York address, with the motto that all dogs are good dogs.

How she came to it

The origin is specific and relevant. She volunteered with a local pet adoption event, Love Wanted Pet Adoptions, from 2009, handling dogs of all ages and sizes to help them find homes. In 2013 she adopted a rescue mutt from the Bahamas named Zoe, who is fearful and noise-phobic; working through Zoe's fear using force-free training is what sent her back to school to become a trainer. Her stated motivation is helping other dogs like Zoe and reassuring their owners they are not alone – which tells an owner with a fearful dog roughly what to expect from the first session.

Credential and method

She graduated in December 2020 from the International School of Canine Psychology, holding the ISCP Diploma in Canine Practice, and states she uses only force-free, science-based methods with her clients.

On tools

The site quotes Ian Dunbar on shock collars – that to use shock effectively you would need a thorough understanding of canine behavior and learning theory plus impeccable timing, and that if you had all three you would not need the collar. Publishing that quote is a clear statement of where the practice stands on aversive equipment, which is worth knowing before booking in a borough where both approaches are on offer.

What is offered

Dog training and dog walking, with contact by form, phone or email. Ask about rates and the neighborhoods covered on the first call.