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 in solving problem behavior issues. 

Goal: Training which is both educational and fun for puppies, dogs, and their family.    Assisting our Clients in creating lasting quality and enjoyable bonds and relationships with their puppies and dogs.  We love to see animals to remain happily in their homes from Puppyhood long into their Senior years.

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 a variety and many Professional Dog Trainers (including Trish King at the Marine Humane) and Horse Trainers (including Ed Thornton, a triple select certified John Lyon's Trainer) to further her education on animal behavior and training methods with her own animals. 

The Right Steps has donated time to Sacramento Animal Control to assist in raising funds for animals in need.  We also enjoy building relationships with Rescue Groups and Shelters direct to offer Free Seminars and Discount Coupons to help animals keep their new homes.  We also participate by having Vendor Booths at local Dog Events to assist in raising funds for good animal causes (examples in 2009:  WoofStock Rocklin & El Dorado Hills, & K9 Cancer Walk in Elk Grove).

The Right Steps works with Veterinarian Offices in the Sacramento County, El Dorado County, and Placer County to give Free Seminars for their staff on Puppy and Dog Behavior.

Cindy had 16 years in the Customer Service Professional Industry of Banking which provided her with a solid foundation in Customer Service skills (how to relate to people and provide a quality experience).  On the Animal side of the business Cindy has trained animals (dogs, horses, cats) for friends, family, colleagues, and clients combined for many years (easily over 20+ years!). 

Cindy continues her education by annually attending educational Seminars and Clinics given by other Trainers and Behaviorist (here locally, at the Marine Humane in Novato, and at U.C. Davis Behavior Department, to name a few).  We keep up to date on current training methods through reading materials (books, magazines, and newsletters), DVDs, online material, and seminars on DVD (we have an huge library both in magazines, news letters, books, and DVDs 'from the older material to the most recent and up to date material').  If we cannot attend a Seminar due to to our own training schedule, we purchase it and watch it at home on DVD.

She also takes lessons with her dogs with other Trainers (examples:  agility <our current focus>, herding, rally, working on reactivity issues, to name just a few) 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.  For proper relaxation and breathing techniques she takes Aikido Lessons.  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.

In approximately 1994 Cindy was introduced to the “John Lyons” Positive Training Methods of Horse Training and a beautiful new world was opened for her!  From there she applied those same positive methods to dog training with fantastic results!  Training based on respect, relationship bonds, and rewards versus cowboying, corrections, and painful/scary punishment.  From there she has never looked back and would never go back.  Our goal is to pass on to our students what we have learned over many years and teach students the ability to love and enjoy our relationships with our pets.

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 puppy or dog 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 a Professional 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 2010 (just need to set the time aside to take the test).  We have a Sacramento Business License, a CA Sellers Permit, and Professional Dog Training Insurance.

We are referred by Veterinarians, Pet Professionals, Pet Therapy Groups (examples:  Delta & Lend-A-Heart), Animal Rescue Groups, Shelters, Breeders, Trainers, Our Clients, Friends, and Family.   Testimonials

We cover Sacramento, El Dorado, & Placer Counties.

On a personal note the Smith Family animals consist of three dogs (all herding breeds) and three cats, who are all a very important and active part of our family and daily lives.  We take the time daily to practice what we preach, to insure our animals are well trained, and receive plenty of proper physical and mental exercise.  We also spend lots of quality and fun bonding time together…. in turn our animals enjoy spending time with us whether it be working or just hanging out around the house keeping us company.  Photos

© 2006-2010 The Right Steps & Cindy C. Smith. All rights reserved.