Sally Bushwaller, CPDT-KA - Staff Trainer
In 1992, when her husband, decided to go to law school Sally brought a wonderful rescued Weimaraner named Martika home. Sally was told by the rescue coordinator that a professional trainer said Tika was untrainable. Never one to back down from a challenge, Sally began training Tika, the old-fashioned way, with a choke collar and corrections. While she still worked happily most of the time, they were still having some problems. When she decided to seek out a trainer with a different methodology it was then that Sally discovered the wonder of training with treats. From then on, it was smooth sailing and Tika and Sally have earned 10 titles in everything from obedience, tracking and agility to hunting. This wonderful cross-over dog was her inspiration to become a trainer.
Originally from Bethlehem, PA, Sally moved to the Midwest in 1975 to attend the Medical Institute of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1977 with a certificate in Veterinary Technology. After school, Chicago seemed like the perfect place to start her career. While Sally loved animals, being a vet tech was not the dream job she thought it would be and moved on to graphic arts and ultimately restaurant sales. Today, in addition to having her own business selling to restaurants, Sally found her dream job, dog training.
As a member of Rand Park Dog Training Club, Sally became an instructor, and then in 2004, Sally volunteered to become Director of Training for the Rand Park Dog Training Club. Wanting to do a good job as DOT, Sally read every training book she could find and began attending seminars. After plenty of studying, Sally earned her CPDT in September of 2005. Sally taught clicker training classes at Paw Law in Roselle, assisted other local dog trainers with private lessons and became an instructor at The Anti-Cruelty Society’s School of Dog Obedience in July, 2006.
Sally serves as the Director of Obedience for the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois. She is also a very active member of Weimaraner Rescue. She participates in everything from fundraising to fostering.
Sally has a particular interest in correcting dog’s behavioral issues via positive reinforcement. Sally would like to help our clients understand their dogs, work through issues and keep them safe in at home. Sally plans on working towards becoming a certified dog behavior counselor over the next few years. Sally loves to teach and we’re thrilled to have her teach our clients and their dogs!
Aside from being an awesome dog lover and cool person, Sally is a charitable person. Over twenty years ago Sally started a charity for children that raises money for needy kids who’ve written to Santa at the main post office, asking for the things most of us take for granted--food, clothing, boots, blankets, etc. Sally and her merry band of helpers purchase wrap and deliver these basic necessities, along with a few toys.
Currently, Sally and her hubby live on the Northwest side of Chicago with two rescued Weims, Cassie and Hope. Sally enjoys competition and participates in a wide variety of dog activities, including competitive obedience, tracking, agility, rally and hunting. While Sally doesn’t hunt herself, she enjoys training her dogs to do what they are genetically programmed to do. She knows most dogs like to have a job, so she makes sure hers have plenty of them, which makes for very happy dogs! Her dogs have helped her to become a better and more well-rounded trainer, as she is thankful for each minute she has had with them.