About Us

Owners: Cindy C. Smith & W. Leland Smith

Business:  The Right Steps      

Trainer: Cindy C. Smith

Facility: Inside Training Facility (air, heat, lights, rubber mats on the floor for comfort, and litter box for young pups under 16wks of age).

Methods Offered: Positive Training Methods, Reward Based Training, and Behavior Modification.  Positive solutions are used to assist in solving problem behavior issues. 

Goal: Training which is both educational and fun for puppies, dogs, and their family.  We want animals to remain happily in their homes from Puppyhood long into their Senior years.  We have such a relative short time to enjoy their time with us (as their life span is so much shorter than their human companions), we should take the time and effort to make each moment in time happy ones to remember.

Reality Check:  If you want Cesar Millan type trainer I am "not" the Trainer for you.  However, if you want a Trainer to teach you a "kinder gentler way to train, while at the same time installing good leadership skills in your home"; I "am" the Trainer for you!  Keeping in mind, my goal is to create a lasting bond between owner and dog; allowing you to spend many quality years together enjoying each others company.  This applies whether toy, small, medium, large, or giant breeds.

About the Trainer:

Cindy has loved animals her entire life and at a very young age made training animals her lifelong goal.  She always seemed to have a natural ability to understand and communicate with animals. Her Husband calls her the "Pied Piper of Animals" as "everywhere she goes they follow her".  Animals seem naturally drawn to her personality, true love of animals, and her voice.  Her Human Clients are also drawn to her easy going , yet straight forward approach to communication and training.

Over the years Cindy has worked personally with many Dog and Horse Trainers to further her education on animal behavior and training methods.  She has donated time to Sacramento Animal Control to assist in raising funds for animals in need.  She continues her education by attending educational seminars and clinics, through reading materials (books, magazines, and newsletters), and online material. She also takes lessons with her dogs with other Trainers as well on a regular basis, to not only have something fun to do with her dogs, but keeps in mind every Trainer has something valuable to offer.  Her goal is to focus on continuing to learn and grow both as an Animal Trainer and as an Instructor of  Animal and Human Students.

Cindy has trained animal for friends, family and colleagues for many years (over 20 years!).  She and her husband officially opened their Business as "Cindy C. Smith Horse & Dog Training"  in 2003, then in 2004 became the owner of The Right Steps.  With every difference we make in a dogs and/or their family's life it is an exciting and highly rewarding experience each and every time. 

Dog Training is not just a business to us as it is what we truly love and enjoy doing.  Cindy enjoys working with both her dog and human students equally.  Quality customer service and providing a great experience is important to us.  We are a true small business and wish to continue to succeed for many years to come.

Cindy and The Right Steps are an A.P.D.T. (Association of Pet Dog Trainer's) Member and have a goal in place to become a C.P.D.T. (Certified Pet Dog Trainer of the A.P.D.T.) in 2009.  We have a Sacramento Business License, a CA Sellers Permit, and Dog Training Insurance.

We are referred by Veterinarians, Pet Professionals, Pet Therapy Groups, Animal Rescue Groups, Local Trainers, and by our Clients.

On a personal note the Smith Family animals consist of four dogs and two cats,  who are all a very important and active part of our family and daily lives.  Each and every pet in our family is well trained, receives lots of quality and fun bonding time, and love spending time with us whether it be working or just hanging out around the house keeping us company. Photos

About The Right Steps:

We specialize in Puppy Training and Socialization Classes.  Our goal is to assist students in understanding dogs as dogs (not small humans in fur coats in disguise) and providing the tools to create a well mannered dog they will enjoy living with from Puppy to Adolescent to Adult and into the Senior years.  Our classes are kept small to allow for individualized attention (maximum 7 puppies per class).  For those wishing to continue their education and continue working with their puppies we offer advanced classes and specialty fun classes.

We also offer Private Lessons for dogs of all ages. Private Lessons provide personalized attention to both puppies, dogs, and their owners.  Private lessons are personalized to work on what you need to work with your dog (or multiple dogs) in the Facility, In-Home, or Offsite.  Lessons may include basic training, advanced training, or problem solving for behavior issues (door rushing, housetraining, jumping, demanding and rude behavior, leash pulling, and more), and prep work for future Pet Therapy Dogs.

Our "Free Seminars" on Positive Solutions to Problem Puppy Behavior include: Play Biting, Jumping, Housetraining, Management, Leadership, Exercise and Toy Ideas as well as what to expect as your puppy matures from a Puppy to Adolescent to Adulthood to Senior.

The Right Steps offers training for dogs of all breeds (both mixed and pure) and all sizes (toy size to giant breeds).  

We welcome and encourage you to call and speak with us, as well as make an appointment to drop in and watch a class in session &/or attend one of our "Free" Seminars on Positive Solutions to Problem Puppy Behavior.   Please call or e-mail to find what days and times our group classes are running so you may stop by and observe the trainer and students in action. 

Ethic Statement: For students or potential students whose dogs have behavior issues which would be better addressed by a "Dog Behaviorist" or "Dog Trainer who Specializes in the specific issue of concern" referrals will be provided to those specializing in positive methods for these areas of expertise.

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© 2006 The Right Steps & Cindy C. Smith. All rights reserved.