About
Jhon Oblak, CPDT-KA, CDBC
Credentials & Certifications
- CPDT-KA – Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed. The gold standard in dog training certification, administered by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
- CDBC – Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Advanced certification from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), demonstrating expertise in solving complex behavior problems.
- Fear Free Certified Professional – Certified in force-free handling methods that reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs.
- Karen Pryor Academy Graduate – Completed the rigorous Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior program, one of the world”s most respected positive reinforcement training schools.
- 15+ Years of Hands-On Experience – Over a decade and a half working directly with dogs and their owners across all breeds, ages, and behavior challenges.
- Continuing Education – Attends annual conferences including the APDT Annual Conference and ClickerExpo to stay current with the latest behavioral science.
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My Story
I have been working with dogs for over 15 years, but my journey started much earlier than that. Like most dog lovers, I grew up with dogs. But it was not until I adopted a severely reactive rescue dog named Max that I truly understood the power of science-based training.
Max was terrified of everything – other dogs, strangers, loud noises, even his own shadow. I tried everything the old-school trainers suggested: corrections, dominance exercises, “showing him who was boss.” None of it worked. In fact, it made him worse.
Frustrated and heartbroken, I started reading everything I could find about modern dog behavior science. I discovered positive reinforcement training, and it completely changed my approach. Within months of switching to force-free methods, Max transformed. He learned to trust again. He went from a scared, reactive dog to a confident, happy companion.
That experience showed me the incredible power of kind, science-based training. I quit my corporate job, enrolled in behavior science programs, and never looked back. I earned my CPDT-KA certification, became a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy.
Since then, I have trained over a thousand dogs and helped countless families. My approach is simple: train with kindness, follow the science, and always put the dog”s emotional well-being first.
My Training Philosophy
I believe every dog deserves to be trained with kindness and respect. No shock collars. No prong collars. No intimidation. Just clear communication, positive reinforcement, and an understanding of how dogs actually learn.
Here is what I stand for:
- Science First, Opinion Second. I follow what peer-reviewed animal behavior research tells us, not what “feels right” or what someone on TV says.
- Force-Free Always. I never use pain, fear, or intimidation. Training should build trust, not break it.
- Meet Every Dog Where They Are. Every dog is unique. Training plans are tailored to the individual dog”s personality, history, and needs.
- Empower the Owner. My goal is not just to train dogs – it is to teach owners how to communicate with their dogs so the training lasts a lifetime.
- Realistic Expectations. Dogs are not robots. Progress is not always linear. I celebrate small wins and stay patient through setbacks.
Areas of Expertise
- Puppy Training & Socialization – House training, crate training, bite inhibition, early socialization programs
- Basic & Advanced Obedience – Sit, stay, recall, loose leash walking, off-leash reliability, hand signals
- Reactive Dog Rehabilitation – Leash reactivity, barrier frustration, fear-based aggression, BAT-based interventions
- Separation Anxiety – Systematic desensitization protocols, independence training, panic response management
- Adolescent Dog Training – Navigating the 6-18 month phase, regression management, impulse control
- Rescue Dog Rehabilitation – Decompression protocols, trust-building, integrating shelter dogs into new homes
- Behavior Problem Solving – Resource guarding, jumping, barking, counter surfing, door dashing, digging
- Positive Reinforcement & Clicker Training – Marker training, shaping, capturing, luring techniques
Why I Created Dogs Trainings
I founded Dogs Trainings because I wanted to make professional-grade dog training knowledge accessible to everyone. Not everyone can afford a private trainer. Not everyone lives near a good force-free training facility. But everyone deserves to have a well-trained dog and a strong bond with their companion.
Every article on this site is written by me, based on my 15+ years of hands-on experience and the latest behavioral science. I do not use AI to write my content. I do not hire ghostwriters. When you read Dogs Trainings, you are getting real, tested advice from a certified professional who has worked with over a thousand dogs.
I also believe in radical honesty when it comes to product reviews. I only recommend products and courses I genuinely believe in. When I review something, I tell you the pros AND the cons. If I would not use it with my own dogs, I will not recommend it to you.
Media Appearances & Contributions
- Featured guest on The Dog Trainer”s Podcast (2025)
- Contributing writer for Modern Dog Magazine (2024-2026)
- Speaker at APDT Annual Conference (2025) – “Reactive to Relaxed: Evidence-Based Protocols That Work”
- Quoted expert in PetMD, The Spruce Pets, and Whole Dog Journal
- Regular contributor to r/Dogtraining and r/puppy101 community discussions
Get in Touch
Have a question about your dog? Need help with a specific behavior? Want to suggest a topic for a future article? I would love to hear from you.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in and have either used personally or thoroughly researched. Dogs Trainings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the ClickBank Affiliate Program.
Editorial Independence: All content on Dogs Trainings is written by Jhon Oblak, CPDT-KA, based on his professional experience and scientific research. Product reviews are independent and unbiased. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations.