A Compassionate and Talented Dog Trainer You Can Rely On
Understanding Fido is a dog training business that provides positive, in-home and community-based training sessions that help improve your dog’s manners and confidence.
About Our Owner
Amy Cranmer, OTR/L, CPDT-KA is a graduate of Clemson University and of the Medical University of South Carolina. Her degrees and career prior to being a dog trainer focused on observation, assessment, and shaping of behaviors and skills.
First, she spent decades educating and collaborating with her colleagues, clients, and their families which refined her communication skills and her team approach. Now, her “non-dog” career continues to be an invaluable experience from which she draws as she supports her training clients and their dogs holistically.
After transitioning to dog training, Amy earned the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. This designation indicates that Amy has completed several hundred hours working with clients, dogs, and other highly respected trainers. In addition, it indicates that Amy passed an extensive, 3-hour examination of knowledge critical for effective dog training and that she obtained character references from veterinarians familiar with her training skills and methods. This title also ensures that Amy is participating in continuing education consistently, focusing on the latest research and the most effective and compassionate techniques in dog training, behavioral supports, and canine enrichment.
Pursuing a Different Career
While working full-time in her previous career, Amy decided to hone her natural talent with dogs.
She pursued education for aspiring dog trainers. Dedicated to compassionate and humane techniques, Amy studied force-free and rewards-based dog training curricula. She has been mentored by two positive, rewards-based training experts and continues to collaborate with colleagues regularly to best serve her clients.
Amy immerses herself in ‘all things dog’ on a daily basis, with memberships in groups and organizations that share her passion for humane techniques and ongoing growth. She seeks out continuing education opportunities that provide the most up-to-date information on research-based training techniques and animal learning.
Exciting Adventures with Her Own Dogs
Many of Amy’s dogs showed a strong interest in hitting the road and interacting with people in the community. This led to her dogs “emceeing” school assemblies, serving as “demo dogs” during community animal care presentations, representing rescue groups at fundraisers, and engaging as “special guests” during local television news broadcasts
Her dogs also passed various evaluations and assessments that earned them nationally and internationally recognized designations through multiple organizations. Some of these organizations include:
These designations allowed Amy and her dogs to participate in various therapy work at nursing homes, schools, churches, and many community events.
Amy’s Long History of Caring for Animals
Since before she was old enough to remember, Amy has been sharing her life with a laundry list of species from guinea pigs to donkeys and goldfish to horses. There was also that brief (but entertaining!) stint with a beloved visiting rooster named Reggie.
All introductions to a new animal species have added priceless educational opportunities in the nuances of how animals learn and interact with humans. Amy takes pride in having the privilege of sharing her life with so many amazing animals, some of whom are literally newsworthy.
For Amy, all of these animals are responsible for the most impactful pieces of her education.
Learn More About Us
Get more information about our business and services. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!