Mariah Scheskie, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FDM

Dogs have always been a big part of my personal and professional life. But I don’t just love dogs, I know dogs.

I began working with dogs who had a history of dog- or human-directed aggression at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in 2002. Since then I have focused my career on helping some of these most vulnerable pets, obtaining my certificate from The Aggression in Dogs Master Course and focusing primarily on helping families with dogs exhibiting fear or aggression.

Since 2018, my work as an ASPCA Professional Behavior Responder has provided an incredible opportunity to train and rehabilitate dogs from horrible situations including dog fighting, puppy mills and hoarding. Success with dogs from cruelty or neglect situations requires a unique skill set, attention to detail and the ability to celebrate tiny steps. It is my privilege to utilize these specialized skills to help dogs build positive relationships with their people and become more confident & resilient in this tricky modern world we live in.

My 15 years of work at the Humane Society of Western Montana provided the opportunity to serve the community and their pets as the Director of Programs, Behavior and Training. My work focused on helping people, prioritizing the human aspect of pet care and training, as well as mentoring several local trainers to obtain their Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) Certifications.

In addition to helping people with their family pets, I work hard to give back to the community. I serve on the Board of Directors at Animal Wonders, and also volunteer to help prepare animals like Gaia, a Southern Three Banded Armadillo and Lumi, an Arctic Fox, for medical procedures and educational programs. I also love mentoring trainers and pet professionals, as well as presenting at conferences, shelters and rescues on topics ranging from fostering to defensive dog handling.

Ready for better behavior and joy with your dog? Simply submit your Behavior & History Form to get started. Not quite ready but want to start the conversation? Email me at blueskybehavior@gmail.com. Note that I often schedule 4+ weeks out so don’t wait if you want to work with me!