Ben Cluff, CPDT - Trainer
Ben is a lifelong dog owner. He and his wife currently own 3 dogs; Henry a 4 year Treeing Walker Hound/Cattle dog mix, Daisy a 3year Blue Tick Coonhound/Cattle dog mix, and Annie a 2 year Beagle/Brittany Spaniel mix. Henry and Annie were adopted from the Monadnock Humane Society. Annie was a foster dog that Ben's wife, Sue just couldn't let go! At the time of adoption, Henry was required to attend a Good Manners class at MHS because of his high energy. Ben admits he was a bit skeptical about classes because years ago he had stopped taking classes when he was instructed to "jerk harder on the leash." By the end of the six week Good Manners class at MHS, Ben was won over to the ways of operant conditioning and classical conditioning. "The difference in Henry after just six weeks was amazing. He was focused and ready to learn."
Through these adoptions, Ben and his wife, Sue, became an integral part of MHS's foster care program. They have taken into their home shy, nervous and anxious dogs. By using positive reinforcement to teach them basic manners they have watched these dogs emerge into more confident, less anxious dogs. "When the dog understands that they are controlling the consequences, through operant conditioning, and that the consequences are equivalent to $100 bills, they just blossom."
It was through these adoptions that Ben became acquainted with the Monadnock Canine Academy. Positive reinforcement training philosophy is of particular interest to him. Ben enjoys teaching people how to teach their dogs how to learn. He feels this learning experience, for human and canine alike, should be fun and in the end, enhance that special relationship between people and their dogs.
Ben graduated from the Monadnock Trainer's Academy in April 2006, with the certification of CAP1 of the Competency Assessment Program for clicker trainers. After graduation Ben worked as an assistant to Tiffany Barrow Rogers, in Puppy Kindergarten and Good Manners classes.
Ben holds a B.A. in Sociology from UMass/Amherst and a Master of Public Administration from American International College.
Continuing Education:
- Puppy Kindergarten
- Good Manners with all three dogs
- Reliable Rover
- Reliable Rover II
- Roaming Rover
- Pre-Agility
- Beginner Agility
- Advanced Beginner Agility
