Teenage dog trainer teaching all pooches new tricks

Dogs, like humans, should learn basic life skills and Trinity Pierce is leading the pack with grace.

"It is important because it teaches your dog right from wrong. I see a lot of dogs that are out of control because dogs don't know any better, like, they jump on you. A dog won't know that that's not right so you have to teach them," Pierce, a certified dog trainer told THE STAR on Wednesday.

Although her love for animals blossomed from an early age, Pierce discovered her calling at age 13, when she started volunteering at a 'doggie shelter' in the US state of Virginia where she currently resides. The 19-year-old, who is of Jamaican parentage, realised that there was more to dog care than just "sitting and watching them".

"I used to watch a lot of TV and saw how people trained their dogs. So when I started working at the shelter, I'd have them [the animals] do simple things like sit or lay down, just stuff like that. But then I started working on my craft with my own animals," she related. To enhance her skills, she got certified by taking an online class.

According to Pierce, dog training involves patience, consistency and repetition. These three components, she indicated, are what guarantee great results and well-trained, intelligent dogs.

"I taught my dog how to jump through a hoop, how to shake my hand, how to high-five, how to spin in a circle, how to weave [go through her legs] and I taught my dog how to bow," Pierce said.

Noting that there is a viable market for dog trainers, citing there are more pet owners in Jamaica. The best part about dog training for Pierce is seeing the results. She was careful to note that dog training, while fun, can also be frustrating when the results are not forthcoming.

"[When] you teach your dog a new trick and you see that outcome, it is honestly amazing. Your dog could go from the way he was, say like your dog was maybe aggressive, and then going on that journey with your dog, that growth is probably the most heart-warming thing you can feel. It is kind of like a blissful moment for even the dog," the 19-year-old of Jamaican parentage told the news team.

Her future plans are to enroll at an university to commence studies in veterinary science.