About the instructor….

Carolyn has been a volunteer with FMAS for the past 12 years and in that time she has become the primary professional champion of training, understanding and help finding homes for the shelter dogs.

Carolyn’s talent for dog training is essential for the success of one of FMAS’s newest programs: “Pawstive Pits.” More than half of all dogs at FMAS are pit bulls and pit mixes, and she wants more than anything to give these misunderstood and mistreated animals the chance they deserve. In this program, Carolyn and a few private dog trainers provide obedience training to every pit and pit mix, once they’re admitted to our shelter. Carolyn brings a deep understanding of how to work with these shelter dogs, how best to communicate the lessons to their new owners, and ultimately keep these animals settled in good homes.  She has also added training classes once a week at the shelter for volunteers to train the shelter dog residents to help make them more adoptable.

As well as working with our pit bulls, Carolyn is the shelter’s chief coordinator for our Southern Dog Transport program. Carolyn identifies and screens safe, caring foster homes for our nearly 40 puppies and dogs a month who come from high-kill southern shelters. She knows each animal by name and follows through making sure each adoption is a success. Ultimately, Carolyn VanderHorst brings a skill and passion to FMAS that is deeply valued and badly needed.

Carolyn started training her dogs over 25 yrs ago.  She adopted a sheltie, named Fella that was very undersocialized and nervous of new people and situations. She wanted to try some training to have a good relationship with him and make him feel more comfortable.  At that time she had very little understanding of dog training, but a strong desire to understand the needs of her dog.  After putting her full effort into training her dog, she set high standards to train her dog to enter competition trials….and he won!  He had developed confidence in himself and trust with people again.

 In the mid 90s, she switched over to Clicker Training when she discovered the power of positive reinforcement with operant conditioning.   Since then, Carolyn has spent her time exploring its potential by first training her own dogs and shelter dogs. She then  became more involved in helping people train their dogs and started assisting in dog training classes at All Dogs Gym. 

Carolyn then graduated from Gail Fisher’s All Dogs Gym Academy Instructor and Trainer School, which is licensed by the State of NH Postsecondary Education Commission. After graduating she was hired as an instructor to teach group classes for 4 years.  Committed to using positive reinforcement to provide effective solutions and training, she attends seminars and pursues ongoing continuing education to keep current with the best training possibilities.  Students enjoy taking her classes because of her natural ability to interact with students as well as their dogs.  She strives to make each class fun and enjoyable while teaching the students valuable skills.

Carolyn now devotes her time and expertise to have group classes and occasional private lessons provided by the Manchester Animal shelter. Wagtime Dog Training started the first class August 2010.  SInce that time, there have been many more classes with many proud graduates. Her natural ability working with students and their dogs has proven much success.  She is very eager to share her knowledge about clicker training and helping the owner develop a strong relationship with their dog and have fun while doing that.  She believes that the most important outcome from successful puppy and dog training is to have happy, social and well-adjusted members of your family that enrichs your quality of life.

Carolyn is well respected by students, adopters, foster homes and other positive trainers.  She currently has 6 dogs of her own that are rescues as well as an occassional foster dog waiting to be adopted. 

Accomplishments/Memberships

• Graduate of Gail Fisher’s All Dogs Gym Instructor and Trainer’s Academy
• CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator
• Puppy Star Evaluator
• Full Member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
• APDT State Greeter for New Hampshire
• APDT Task force member for C.L.A.S.S. certification. For more information go to www.mydoghasclass.com
• Nominated for Shelter Premier award for APDT
• C.L.A.S.S. Evaluator
• Manchester Animals Shelter Behaviorist/trainer