Joyce Loebig, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, Cert. SA Pro

I am the proud owner and founder of Rewards Dog Training. I have over ten years’ experience providing dog training and behavior modification solutions for clients and students, working on everything from foundation behaviors, separation anxiety, puppy issues, leash issues, and more. I love providing individualized training plans and solutions that work for dogs and for their families. I'm based in the Washington, DC area but I can work online with people in any location.

Education and Certifications

  • Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner. Graduated with distinction from the top-ranked Karen Pryor Academy
  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed. Certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers
  • Certified Separation Anxiety Pro (Cert. SA Pro), through Julie Naismith's Certified SA Pro Program
  • Fear-free Certified Professional, through the Fear Free Pets program
  • Bachelor's Degree, Psychology​

Why Choose a Certified Trainer?

Dog training certification is voluntary and unregulated which can lead to ineffective training and possibly physical and psychological harm for your pet. Entrust your pet only to a qualified and professionally-certified dog trainer. I am committed to:
  • Maintaining my certifications from industry-leading organizations
  • Adhering to high standards of professional service and ethics
  • Using force-free training methods that are both effective and humane
  • Continuing my education in the animal behavior field

 Specific Experience and Qualifications

  • Private training for clients on foundation behaviors, advanced behaviors, separation anxiety, puppy behavior, reactive dogs, fearful dogs, leash walking, house training, barking, growling, aggression, and more
  • Creating curriculum and teaching puppy and dog group classes on varied topics, including puppy skills, foundation behaviors, leash walking, leash reactivity, and tricks
  • Comfortable and experienced working in person and online; I was an early adopter of online training during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Member of a local trainer networking group whose mission is to educate the public and expand the use of force-free training
  • Copyediting for dog behavior books
  • Former volunteer trainer with the Foster Dog Alliance
  • Three years as a volunteer dog handler/trainer at the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL)
  • Five years as a dog handler/socializer at the Montgomery County Humane Society
  • Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the Association of Force Free Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
  • Continuing education through the Karen Pryor Academy; webinars and seminars through APDT, PPG, IAABC; local and national dog training conferences; and more

Training Philosophy

  • I use force-free training methods, which means arranging the dog's environment for success, teaching them what we want them to do, and rewarding them. This approach has been  shown to be the most effective training method with the least number of side effects. I'm committed to force-free training and never use pain, fear, or intimidation to achieve results. ​
  • I believe in training dogs but also in letting dogs be dogs--providing them the opportunity to live a lifestyle that meets their needs, not just medically and physically, but mentally and behaviorally. This is integral to my philosophy and my work. 
Joyce Loebig and Dog
Me with my dog Rio
Joyce Loebig and two dogs
Training two dogs to take turns getting treats
REWARDS DOG TRAINING
Experienced, Certified, Force Free