Abby Ganin-Toporek, of Sandhills Dog Training, has successfully passed the examination to become a certified professional dog trainer-knowledge assessed.

The examination is administered by the Council for Professional Dog Trainers, which is a nationally recognized organization.

Group classes, as well as private training in homes and at her training facility, are offered. In addition, recently she has become affiliated with Dogs Best Friend Inc., where she will offer classes and "drop and train."

Ganin-Toporek will advise and train the staff in dog-dog play and proper techniques for handling dogs in various situations.

From puppy kindergarten, basic obedience and Canine Good Citizen, your dog will become more well-balanced, well-behaved and confident, she said. The Canine Good Citizen class sets the groundwork for becoming a Therapy Dog.

Positive reinforcement is the philosophy of training used by Sandhills Dog Training, a news release said. It is a method of training which has proven to build a stronger bond between owners and their dogs and provides the benefit of consistent learned behaviors.

Ganin-Toporek has experience working with dogs with phobias and anxieties as well as leash aggression and guarding behaviors. Through training and behavior modification, she helps clients to deal with these various issues.