About
Hi! Our names are Kinna & Gene Ohman-Leone and we’ve been professionally training dogs & other animals since 2015. We approach working with animals in an all positive way. They deserve nothing less. Plus, just like us, they learn quicker and retain more when encouraged and supported!
Positive training is evolving. It’s now the standard approach for training dogs and it’s growing in other animal circles. As more and more animals experience learning with positive methods, we, as humans, are learning more about them.
Why?
With positive training, there is space for animals to give us feedback. And, there is time to observe and listen to how they feel. With a supportive atmosphere, we now realize that animals can guide our interactions with them - and we don’t need to guess anymore. With a positive approach, animals are free to show us their preferences. The Animal Connection Training approach will always be evolving as the animals show us more. So, you’ll be part of a dynamic, exciting time when you join our training program.
What can you expect? As you’ll see, we’ll focus mostly on dogs - but our program will include special sections devoted to other animals such as horses. Our client dogs, horses, and others (including cats, pigs and sheep) have shown us the value of our unique approach to training. So now, we’re excited to share what we’ve learned with you!
Gene Öhman-Leone, KPA CTP
Kinna Öhman-Leone, KPA CTP
Both are also Associate Members of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (an international organization), Fear Free Professionals, and AKC Canine Good Citizen trainers.
Gene and Kinna Öhman-Leone have been avid animal lovers and outdoor adventurers since they were youngsters.
They created Animal Connection Training in 2013 and have devoted their lives to helping animals understand how to feel safe and confident in the world. Kinna and Gene are full-time trainers with experience helping over 700 clients.
Both Kinna and Gene believe that animals are individuals and therefore there is always, always something more to learn. As a result, they take continuing education seriously and are constantly increasing their understanding through additional study every year.
Please see below for a list of continuing education seminars, webinars, and courses they’ve completed.
CERTIFICATION
Karen Pryor Academy, KPA CTP (2015: Kinna Öhman-Leone, 2016: Gene Öhman-Leone)
Fear Free Veterinary Certification (2020: Gene Öhman-Leone)
CONTINUING EDUCATION
2024: Positive Intelligence with Shirzad Chamine
2024: Sensory Integration with Els Vidts
2022-2023: Aggression in Dogs (10 month course) with Amber Batson, VMD
2022: Pet Dog Trainers of Europe Conference – Positive Truffle Hunting, Hand Signal, Scent Work for Puppies
2022: Dog Symposium (2 Days)
2022: Trauma In Dogs Seminar (2 Days)
2021-2022: Puppy Power Course with Amber Batson, VMD (42 hours)
2021: Karen Pryor Academy’s Clicker Training Expo (3 days)
2020: Concept Training with Ken Ramirez
2020: “Barking Mad” Abnormal Behavior in Dogs with Amber Batson, VMD
2020: “Cavorting Canines” Exercise in Dogs with Amber Batson, VMD
2020: “Troublesome Teens” Adolescence in Dogs with Amber Batson, VMD
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2020: Pet Dog Trainers of Europe Online Summit (3 days)
2020: Fear Free Veterinary Course Certification
2019: KPA Aggression and Dogs Webinar with Ken Ramirez
2019: KPA Dog Aggression case study Webinar with Ken Ramirez
2018: Dog Symposium, Oslo, Norway with Turid Rugaas, Dr. Amber Batson, Anne Lill Kvam (2 days)
2018: Imitation Training “Do As I Do” with Claudia Fugazzia
2018: KPA Webinar with Hannah Brannigan
2018: Separation Anxiety Seminar with Malena DeMartini
2017: Canine Fitness Webinar with Leslie Eide, DVM
2016: Smart Reinforcement: Reinforcement Substitutes with Ken Ramirez
2016: Introduction to Agility Handling with Susan Garrett
2016: Agility Basics with Nicole Larocco Skeehan
MEMBERSHIP
Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainers
Adirondack High Peaks Dog Training Group
Fear Free Professionals
International Association Animal Behavior Consultants
Pet Dog Trainers of Europe: Associate Members
PUBLICATIONS
2019 – Present: Monday Morning Articles – A bi-monthly article about mostly dog behavior and recent scientific behavioral findings
PRESENTATIONS
2022 – Puppies Today, Dogs Tomorrow – An overview of the latest research on what helps a puppy grow up to be a resilient and confident adult dog.
2022 – Bringing Home a Trauma Dog – What new caregivers need to know when adopting a dog who has experienced abuse, neglect, or other forms of trauma.
2023 – Raising a Non-Reactive and Confident Dog
