Shelby Marlo , CPDT
Animal Behavioral Specialist and Certified Pet Dog Trainer

There is a kindness revolution going on in the world of dog training and Shelby Marlo, A Los Angeles based animal behavior specialist and certified pet dog trainer is at its forefront. People Magazine has dubbed her “the dog whisperer” and Oprah has chosen to interview her on three occasions regarding her expertise with dogs. She has been called the “power trainer” by Entertainment Weekly and E! Entertainment Television calls her the “trainer to the stars”. Clients like Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan and Steven Spielberg call on her to train their new puppies, and address specific behavioral problems. What has made Shelby so successful is her ability to blend the art and science of dog training, communicating not only with dogs but also with their owners, teaching them to see things from a dog’s point of view.

Shelby grew up an animal lover, but began to focus on dogs with her Smooth Collie named Lotte. She studied the teachings of world-renowned animal behavior experts, honing her skills as she developed her philosophy of training. Lotte was the first smooth collie to win “High-In-Trial”, the highest honor from the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills and the Collie National. Lotte is now in history books for her record-breaking accomplishments, and was the top ranked obedience collie in America. Shelby and Lotte competed in both the Gaines Regional and the Gaines Classic Competitions as well as being on the Top Dog Team. They have also received the prestigious Dog World Award from Dog World Magazine.

As well as being a charter member of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers and co-founder of the L.A. Dog Trainers Meetings, Shelby successfully completed all requirements of the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers and has been recognized as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer

 Together, Shelby and Lotte have been featured in numerous publications, including Vanity Fair, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, In Style Magazine, W, Dog World, and The American Kennel Club Gazette. Shelby has been a guest expert on many television programs including Oprah, E! Entertainment, Arts & Entertainment, MSNBC, and has had her own monthly segment on KTLA’s Morning News.

Shelby Marlo’s New Art of Dog Training: Balancing Love and Discipline was awarded Best Training and Behavior Book of 2000 by the Dog Writers Association of America. In her book, Shelby offers revolutionary recommendations and shares her proven, easy-to-understand techniques with dog owners everywhere. Drawn from the fields of behavioral science and animal learning theory, the book is a dynamic synthesis of positive reinforcement (rewards), and appropriate correction that provide  behavioral boundaries without breaking a dog’s spirit. More than teaching a handful of commands, it is about establishing a solid leader-follower relationship with your dog. In it Shelby explodes a variety of myths such as the proper age at which to begin training and socialization, correctly evaluating a dog’s temperament, and a dog’s desire to please. Readers will gain a  totally new understanding of dogs through Shelby’s illuminating insights into what dogs want, think, feel and why they behave the way that they do.

While canines hold a special place in Shelby’s heart, she also specializes in behavioral problem-solving for cats. Shelby currently lives in Los Angeles with her Smooth Collie Fannie & Ava and her two cats Hedda and Bella.