TEACHING ALL DOGS NEW TRICKS Interview with Top Dog Trainer, Myra Markley By Laura Harvey Myra with her service dog Raven
When I set out to interview Myra Q1. How did you get started Markley, founder and trainer of an training dogs? obedience/service dog training I started my dog training career rather by school, I didn’t realize the depth in accident. Being physically disabled myself which her instructional studio went and when I began living on my own, I realto facilitate dog owners to be self-re- ized I needed help, and other people were liant and self-sufficient. not always around when I needed them. I Her program is much more than teaching your pet to sit and stay and roll over; it involves life-saving knowledge on both the dog’s part, as well as the owner’s part. I sat down with Myra at her training studio after the last four-legged client had exited the building. I began with questions to find out more about her unique practice. 26 | Free Living Pet Magazine
had heard of service dogs for disabled people and had even encountered a few when I would be going to my appointments at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. The dogs are always very well-behaved, and for the most part, I barely noticed they were there. So here is where it all started for me. There was one day in particular when I was bringing in groceries and putting everything