Susan Marett, CPDT-KA, owner

Susan Marett has been a full-time professional dog trainer for over 15 years.  She is highly respected and recommended by local veterinarians, boarding kennels, groomers and dog daycare facilities for her expertise in solving problem behaviors and instruction in obedience training.  She is one of only a handful of trainers in South Carolina to hold a CPDT-KA certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), as well as an APDT C.L.A.S.S. evaluator.

Specializing in addressing the concerns of families with young children and dogs, Susan is also South Carolina’s only licensed presenter of the national Dogs and Storks’ Program and Dog and Baby Connection Program.  She is a Canine Good Citizenship Evaluator for the American Kennel Club as well.  Susan is committed to ongoing education, attends several seminars per year and keeps current on all industry literature.  Her current endeavor is becoming a Certified Nose Work Instructor™ through the National Association of Canine Nose Work.

Since the very beginning of Purely Positive, Susan has been innovative and dedicated to helping Lowcountry owners meet a variety of their dog training needs.  Susan offered and instructed the first canine tricks class, co-founded the first Kids and Dogs’ Camp and instructed one of the first group classes for aggressive dogs in the Charleston area.  She has appeared on local radio show Pet Docs, the South Carolina Public Radio Business Review, Lowcountry Live, and local TV Channels 4 and 5 to demonstrate training methods and answer questions on dog behavior.  Susan has also authored numerous articles for local publications on training and behavioral issues, and spoken to Charleston area shelter, veterinary, and dog daycare staff on behavioral problems and training.

When Susan is not helping Lowcountry dog owners create a positive and enjoyable relationship with their dogs, she enjoys time with her five dogs, some of whom have titled in AKC and USDAA Agility, AKC Rally Obedience, and earned Therapy Dog Certifications.  Susan and her husband are new parents themselves having recently adopted a 7 year old child from Ethiopia.  Her own experience with her son has ignited a new passion to help adoptive families and their dogs.

Heather Moore, trainer

Heather Moore has more than ten years of experience training dogs and helping owners to modify their dogs’ problem behaviors.  She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).  Her own dogs have titled in AKC Rally Obedience Novice and Advanced, and earned Therapy Dog Certifications.  She also has several years experience as a teacher of elementary age children.  This combination of skills led her to co-found the first Kids and Dogs Camp in the Lowcountry, as well as the first training class for kids and their pet dogs in our area.  As a mother of two young boys, Heather has a practical and friendly approach towards training the family dog.  Her methodology focuses on leadership, structure, and positive reinforcement. All training is gentle and humane while also being user-friendly and efficient.  Heather, her husband, Lance and sons, Parker and Wyatt, share their home with two Labrador Retrievers, one Jack Russell terrier, one horse, one cat, and one fish.

Heather has been a lifesaver when it comes to our two dogs. Between our two furry children we have had our fair share of behavior problems and issues. Heather has always been there to help problem solve and offer suggestions with a positive attitude and without passing judgment. When we lived out of town she even Skyped with us for training sessions a few times! Her love of dogs and extensive knowledge make for a perfect combination! – Erin Pooley