Penny, Elsa, Luke and I having a snugglefest.
Just dogs with Sherri, "oh what do you do with dogs?" Is a question I hear often. I have shortened the answer due to the practice of offering up what I do. I do dogs.
I am:
- first and foremost a dog trainer.
- a dog photographer.
- a dog writer.
Trainer
To elaborate a small bit. I started my life in the conformation show ring at the age of 13 years young. From there I went on to train with conventional training methods (choke collars). In the mid 90s I discovered positive reinforcement training and never looked back. I have taught years of group obedience classes; then moved on to private in-home training where I was able to do more personalized behavior modification. I am now offering email behavior consultations. I love that I can help so many people with one on one assistance on their everyday to serious canine issues. Giving people the tools to help make living with their dog a smooth one is about as good as it gets for me. Being able to reach those in remote areas and help anywhere in the world is remarkable. Help is just a click away.
Canine behavior is by far my biggest passion; it is where my love of photographing dogs stemmed from.
Photographer
Specializing in action photography and the canine/human connection. It started years ago when a camera was left in front of me. It didn't take long to discover that I loved capturing the very essence of a dog. I very quickly worked into many of the big dog magazines; having been in many, had feature photo spreads and covers. But it is the private shoot that really charges me; capturing a dog for the person who loves it. That or capturing the love between the two; the canine/human connection.
Stopping a moment in time; one that you might never see otherwise is as they say, priceless.
Writer
I needed more, I have a lot to say and writing seemed the way to do it. I have been writing this blog for years, almost 7 years now. Pretty crazy when I look back at the beginning. So this blog gives me an outlet to share dogs with you all. When I hear about new canine related things; I like to share them with you. When my dogs and I experience new, weird, crazy and interesting things; I like to share them with you.
After blogging for years I put my love of writing and photography together into my children's books. The Luke and Elsa series. If you have not seen or heard of them; check them out on my website books page. I am currently working on book #3 in the series which will feature other dogs as well as Luke and Elsa.
There is also my novel PBJ and me (which is on my book page of my website as well). A book that came from a trip, an adventure that changed everything. I had planned to do a cross country photography book with the trip but it quickly became much more than just pictures. I am currently working on the sequel to this book which will hopefully be out soon.
I also have a training/behavior book for the new puppy owner that is very near completion. Stay tuned for the news on that one.
But wait, there's more.
Canine behavior, photography and writing are my main work; the stuff that fills most of my days. But there is more, I am working on some new treats which will hopefully be available soon. There is also the canine related gear that I am working on. Testing canine related products for lots of big dog companies. Nutrition, grooming, grooming products, dog related human gear and the list goes on and on and on.
So what do I do? Dogs, Just dogs with of course me, Sherri. :)
