Sally Bushwaller, CPDT-KSA, CNWI
Sally Bushwaller is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed, Certified Nose Work Instructor
Originally from Bethlehem, PA, Sally moved to the Midwest in 1975 to attend the Medical Institute of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1977 with a certificate in Veterinary Technology.
After school, she started her career in Chicago. Being a vet tech was not what she expected, and after a few career changes came full circle, back to the dog world and her dream job, dog training.
Sally participates in and/or serves as:
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Director of Obedience for the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois, www.wcni.org.
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Weimaraner Club of America, http://weimaranerclubofamerica.org/main/index.php?lang=en
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Help with Weimaraner Rescue
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Cards for Weim Rescue, www.weim.net/rescue/cards, started to raise money for Weimaraner Rescue
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Editor of Gray Ghost Stories (for 12 years), the newsletter of the Weimaraner Club of Northern Illinois.
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Professional Member, APDT
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CPDT-KA since 2005
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CPDT-KSA since December 2011
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Member of the Moraine Tracking Club, http://www.morainetrackingclub.org/
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Member of RPDTC
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Trainer for classes and privates for the Wilmette Park District, www.wilmettepark.org
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Author of numerous articles and a book about separation anxiety: The Separation Anxiety Tool Book
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Train and show my dog(s) in competitive obedience, agility, rally, field work, and my favorites (and the dog’s favorites) tracking and K9 Nose Work.
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Certified Nose Work Instructor since July, 2012, http://www.nacsw.net/
Sally is passionate about helping owners learn to correct their dog’s behavioral issues via positive reinforcement, and helping dogs learn to become responsible for their own actions. She would like to help her clients understand their dogs, learn how to read them better and work through their dog’s issues.
She loves to keep up on all the latest techniques in dog training and goes to many seminars so she can be on the cutting edge of the newest techniques. Sally is particularly interested in helping anxious and aggressive dogs, and those with separation anxiety.
Twenty-six years ago Sally started Sally’s Kids, a charity for children that raises money for needy kids so they can purchase the basic necessities of life–food, clothing, boots, blankets, etc.
Currently, her husband and her live on the Northwest side of Chicago with two rescued Weims, Cassie and Hope. They enjoy competition and participate in a wide variety of dog activities, including competitive obedience, tracking, agility, rally, field work and K9 Nose Work. While Sally doesn’t hunt herself, she does enjoy training her dogs to do what they are genetically programmed to do.
"My wonderful dogs have helped me become a better and more well-rounded trainer, and I am thankful for each minute I’ve had with them."


