Interview with Charlotte Mielziner

Dog Trainer, Speaker, Reviewer, Aspiring Author and Mom, All in One

Sep 7, 2009

Charlotte Mielziner talks about her work with Westinn Kennels, Animal Behavior College, and the Safety Sam Dog Bite Prevention Program.

Charlotte Mielziner is a mom, writer, speaker, dog trainer and member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She's also a premier writer at Helium.com and Animal Behavior College. The dog world knows her as an AKC Rally judge, certified in canine behavior from Purdue University and creator of the Safety Sam Dog Bite Prevention Program.

This interview focuses on her work with dogs. To read all about Charlotte and her Children's Dog Books & Reviews blog, please visit this page.

Charlotte, you're a dog trainer and speaker. Tell us a bit about the kind of job you do.

I work exclusively through Westinn Kennels here in Missouri, doing private behavior consults and in home training of dogs. Although I’m a dog trainer, it’s really the people that I mostly work with. I have to find the method by which they can define and teach their dogs. Not all dogs respond to the same technique and not all people can carry it out. It’s probably given me a better education in creative and positive training methods than many trainers ever get.

Most people are totally oblivious of the messages dogs are trying to give and how poorly they (the owners) are communicating to this animal with limited language capabilities. I love watching the human animal bond grow. Each dog and handler becomes my next favorite team. What an awesome job. I’m so lucky to be doing what is right for me.

They are a school for dog trainers and other canine professionals. For more information, see . I mentor new trainers as they enter the dog fancy and show them how to teach beginning classes. Often, they are learning to supplement another job such as a kennel worker, groomer or pet sitter. Some are learning to train in order to help rescue dogs. ABC has an online library of articles from mentors and trainers exclusive to their graduates.

You're also the creator of the Safety Sam Dog Bite Prevention Program. How did this happen?

Dog bite safety is one of my favorite subjects! When we adopted our daughter at age 3 1/2, I was showing our Samoyed dog King, in Obedience training and took her and a babysitter along to shows. Once, there was a commotion in a ring and we glanced away just for a moment. When I looked back, she had grabbed a large male Bouvier Des Flandres by his whiskers and was planting a big kiss on his nose. He was growling low in his throat and his owner was pulling him away, yelling, “Get your kid away from my dog!” She was right. By dropping vigilance for just a few moments, my daughter could have been seriously injured and a good dog would have had a bite on his record.

That night, I started researching dog bite prevention. I had no idea how serious the issue was. 50% of all children are bitten by a dog before the age of 12 and almost all bites are preventable. About six months later, we gave the first Safety Sam Dog Bite Prevention Program at a school. We teach kids age appropriate ways to avoid the situations that most commonly lead to a bite. King was our first Safety Sam and such a natural, he’d sing for the kids and offer tricks totally on his own. He had the natural timing of a stand up comic and loved an audience.

Now, I lecture to parenting groups, speak at safety fairs, dog clubs, scout troops and still do the program for kids. I’ve worked with several other groups in starting their dog bite safety programs as well. We’ve never charged for the program because we feel the information is too crucial to withhold. It has been deeply rewarding in so many other ways. It was a good thing to do.

When we started Safety Sam, we figured it was a no news is good news sort of thing. We’d never hear if we prevented any bites. But, we’ve had numerous stories of people who most likely avoided a bite. When we first started 15 years ago, kids would run up at King and pet without asking, even grab him or hug him. Today, kids in our area know to ask the owner first, stay calm and pet gently. It’s been quite effective.

Thanks for all the helpful information, Charlotte!

The copyright of the article Interview with Charlotte Mielziner in Dog Training is owned by Mayra Calvani. Permission to republish Interview with Charlotte Mielziner in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.