About Melanie – Knowing Dogs

Melanie has four decades of experience as a dog trainer, and over three decades of experience as a canine behavioral consultant. She has been published in numerous national dog magazines, has held the CDT designation and has been an evaluator of trainers for the International Association of Canine Professionals as well as a long time member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Trainers (NADOI).

Melanie has been a handler of numerous AKC champion dogs as well as an experienced animal rescue volunteer who has rescued and fostered dogs of various breeds and mixes. She currently owns 3 Standard Poodles (an AKC champion male, a UKC champion male and a spayed female) and 1 small miniature poodle, a neutered male adopted from an animal shelter.

Melanie with a favorite champion of the past,
Ch. Wintersweet’s Synama On Credit (Martin)

Her past awards and recognition include President of the International Siberian Husky Club, president of the Guilford County Humane Society and board member of various kennel clubs and non-profit organizations. Melanie is also an experienced seminar speaker and has been interviewed by the media in reference to fatal dog attacks, aggression and behavioral issues.

Achievements

Highlights of Melanie’s Career:
Experienced Professional Dog Trainer (35+ years before retiring)
Experienced board member, officer of non-profit organizations
Canine Behavioral Consultant (20+ years)
Seminar speaker
Founder of Best Friends Bed & Biscuit (1990, also owner until 2006)
Published in many dog magazines and websites (1977-present)
Trainer of other trainers and behavioral consultants
CDT (Certified Dog Trainer, International Association of Canine Professionals)
Conformation handler of AKC and UKC champion show dogs
Has shown in AKC obedience ring, as well as AKC Rally competitions

Organizations Founded

Central Arkansas Siberian Husky Club, 1978
Special Friends, 1998, organization to help terminally ill pet owners

Past Affiliations, Awards, Recognition

International Siberian Husky Club (President)
Humane Society of Guilford County (President)
Australian Club of America (first regional rescue coordinator for NC)
Siberian Husky Club of America (first NC rescue coordinator)
Animal Shelter Advisory Board (appointed by Guilford County Commissioners)
Roanoke Kennel Club (past board of directors member, as Melanie Babb)
Hampton Roads Siberian Husky Club (past board of directors member)
Central NC Siberian Husky Club (past board member, rescue coordinator)
TGRC Obedience Award (with Ch. Sunset Hill’s Indiana Jones) 1987
CNCSHC Appreciation Award for rescued Siberian Husky placement, 1995
Annual Shelter Appreciation Award for Australian Shepherd rescue, 1995
AKC Performance Evaluation Certificate for participation in training and evaluation of AKC dog show judges, Raleigh, NC, 1997
Solving Canine Behavioral Problems continuing education, Cornell University (1994, 1996)
Evaluator for Certified Dog Trainer program, International Association of Canine Professionals (2009, 2010)
Numerous certificates for continuing education in Canine Behavior and Assessment, Canine Aggression, Competition and Companion Obedience, Conformation Handling

Seminar Speaker

“Best Friend or Worst Enemy” general canine behavior seminar geared towards reducing dog bites, sponsored by Guilford County Humane Society and WFMY-2’s Good Morning Show (Tracy Wilson, host), 1995
“Dancing with Dogs, Training Dogs and Their People”, sponsored by and proceeds donated to Animal Rescue & Foster Program, Greensboro, NC, 1996
“Fear Based Canine Aggression” seminar, Greyhound Rescue of Raleigh, 1997
“No More Pulling” seminars, All Pets Considered, Greensboro, NC
“Conflicted Canine Seminar”, at Bed & Biscuit, sponsored by and proceeds donated to Doberman Rescue of the Triad
“Helping Fearful Foster Dogs”, Animal Defense League Fund, Sanford, NC, 2005
Numerous presentations and small seminars for dog clubs, vets, local rescue organizations, pet supply stores (1985-present)

Media Recognition

Pet care facility founded by Melanie, Best Friends Bed & Biscuit, featured in 3 page color article in Greensboro News & Record, concerning upscale pet care, 1991
Best Friends Bed & Biscuit, during the time of Melanie’s ownership, also featured in High Point Enterprise, NW Observer and other publications
Five day appearance on WFMY-2’s Good Morning Show in reference to the seminar “Man’s Best Friend or Worst Enemy” on dog training and bite prevention (1995)
Featured pet behavior counselor on WGHP-8’s “Your Turn”, a call in morning television program, Triad area, North Carolina
Numerous single interviews and appearances on WFMY-2 and WGHP-8 television stations.
Frequently interviewed as canine behavior specialist when fatal dog bite attack incidents have taken place, and in reference to pet overpopulation and adoption programs.