About Eleza Stewart / Kerfoot
We strive to constantly expand our toolbox and learn more. Below are the workshops and other trainers we have had the chance to learn from.
We continue our education in dog training every day. We talk to other trainers, we attend seminars and conferences and find that you never know it all.
September 2023 Eleza Attended the International Association of Canine Professionals Annual Conference in Minnesota.
At this Conference
Re-newed PET CPR and 1st Aid certification (Expires September 2025)
Attended Cynopraxis / LIMA Seminar given by Steven Lindsay
Received Certification for LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive)
July 2023 Eleza Attended Canine Kinaesthetics + Body Movement with Maryna Ozuna and how it affects Behavior (Hosted in Walnut Creek, CA)
June 2023 Eleza attended and passed the NEPOPO Silver School taught by Bart + Michael Bellon in Missouri
October 2019 - Eleza + Laika competed in a Mondio Ring Trial and earned the 1st Leg of their Level 1.
September 2019 - Eleza went to Arizona and spent some one on one time with Maryna Ozuna and learned about Canine Kinesthetics and Body Work (Learned about dog movement, and how to notice when behavior might stem from a potential pain, and learned some detailed massage techniques to help dogs move and feel better)
December 2018 - Eleza went back to Gilroy, Ca for a 2nd Training Between the Ears workshop with Mark McCabe this time spending 5 days learning more techniques in creating calm in dogs.
October 2018 - Eleza + Laika competed in a Mondio Ring Trial and earned their Brevet.
March 2018 - Eleza went to Gilroy, Ca to work with Mark McCabe and learned about TBTE (Training Between the Ears)
January 2017 - Eleza went to Tucson, AZ for a workshop with Nelson Hodges.
September 2016 - Eleza went to Templeton, Ca to work with Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew.
August 2016 - Eleza went to Utah for a 4day workshop with Heather Beck and Jason Vasconi on Dealing with Difficult Dogs.
April 2016 - Eleza went to Arizona for a Relationship workshop with Jay Jack and learned about Tug, heeling, recall and more tips and tricks on how to work with reactive dogs.
November 2015 - I went to Petaluma where there was a seminar with Tyler Muto. Who came all the way from New York to teach and talk about relationships, problem solving, socialization and e-collar work.
October 2015 - I went to Washington to a seminar with Chad Mackin and Jay Jack.
This workshop specialized in socialization for difficult dogs and tug play with Jay Jack.
July 2013 - I went to a training course held in Santa Cruz, Ca and learned in a program called T3. I learned from Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training and Sean Oshea of The Good Dog.
January 2013 - I went to Tucson, Arizona for a workshop with "Pack to Basics" Chad Mackin's Dogmanship workshop. It was a new approach to some different types of training. I really enjoyed this workshop and connected with some really great trainers while I was there. I look forward to attending Chad Mackin's dog on dog socialization workshop somewhere in the future.
September 2012 - Just finished completing a Obedience Intensive Course and an E-Collar workshop with Michael Ellis. It was a great experience and a different approach to training and building motivation in your dog. His class was geared toward sport dogs but finding that balance of getting the dog in a high arousal state and still having full control and almost flawless obedience is a tricky balance to maintain.
Eleza 2008 is a certified master trainer by National K-9, a world renowned intensive training school for trainers. 2008
I am always learning more... all dogs learn differently and you can never have too much knowledge about ALL of the different training methods and techniques, even if we don't use them everyday on most dogs, it is good to know for that 1 dog that may need that specific tool or method some day. Even if I don't agree with a training style I want to learn about it and see and understand why another trainer may use it.
You will find that I have a genuine love for dogs and their relationship with their owners and helping you live a more harmonious life together.
We continue our education in dog training every day. We talk to other trainers, we attend seminars and conferences and find that you never know it all.
September 2023 Eleza Attended the International Association of Canine Professionals Annual Conference in Minnesota.
At this Conference
Re-newed PET CPR and 1st Aid certification (Expires September 2025)
Attended Cynopraxis / LIMA Seminar given by Steven Lindsay
Received Certification for LIMA (Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive)
July 2023 Eleza Attended Canine Kinaesthetics + Body Movement with Maryna Ozuna and how it affects Behavior (Hosted in Walnut Creek, CA)
June 2023 Eleza attended and passed the NEPOPO Silver School taught by Bart + Michael Bellon in Missouri
October 2019 - Eleza + Laika competed in a Mondio Ring Trial and earned the 1st Leg of their Level 1.
September 2019 - Eleza went to Arizona and spent some one on one time with Maryna Ozuna and learned about Canine Kinesthetics and Body Work (Learned about dog movement, and how to notice when behavior might stem from a potential pain, and learned some detailed massage techniques to help dogs move and feel better)
December 2018 - Eleza went back to Gilroy, Ca for a 2nd Training Between the Ears workshop with Mark McCabe this time spending 5 days learning more techniques in creating calm in dogs.
October 2018 - Eleza + Laika competed in a Mondio Ring Trial and earned their Brevet.
March 2018 - Eleza went to Gilroy, Ca to work with Mark McCabe and learned about TBTE (Training Between the Ears)
January 2017 - Eleza went to Tucson, AZ for a workshop with Nelson Hodges.
September 2016 - Eleza went to Templeton, Ca to work with Cheri Lucas and Brian Agnew.
August 2016 - Eleza went to Utah for a 4day workshop with Heather Beck and Jason Vasconi on Dealing with Difficult Dogs.
April 2016 - Eleza went to Arizona for a Relationship workshop with Jay Jack and learned about Tug, heeling, recall and more tips and tricks on how to work with reactive dogs.
November 2015 - I went to Petaluma where there was a seminar with Tyler Muto. Who came all the way from New York to teach and talk about relationships, problem solving, socialization and e-collar work.
October 2015 - I went to Washington to a seminar with Chad Mackin and Jay Jack.
This workshop specialized in socialization for difficult dogs and tug play with Jay Jack.
July 2013 - I went to a training course held in Santa Cruz, Ca and learned in a program called T3. I learned from Jeff Gellman of Solid K9 Training and Sean Oshea of The Good Dog.
January 2013 - I went to Tucson, Arizona for a workshop with "Pack to Basics" Chad Mackin's Dogmanship workshop. It was a new approach to some different types of training. I really enjoyed this workshop and connected with some really great trainers while I was there. I look forward to attending Chad Mackin's dog on dog socialization workshop somewhere in the future.
September 2012 - Just finished completing a Obedience Intensive Course and an E-Collar workshop with Michael Ellis. It was a great experience and a different approach to training and building motivation in your dog. His class was geared toward sport dogs but finding that balance of getting the dog in a high arousal state and still having full control and almost flawless obedience is a tricky balance to maintain.
Eleza 2008 is a certified master trainer by National K-9, a world renowned intensive training school for trainers. 2008
I am always learning more... all dogs learn differently and you can never have too much knowledge about ALL of the different training methods and techniques, even if we don't use them everyday on most dogs, it is good to know for that 1 dog that may need that specific tool or method some day. Even if I don't agree with a training style I want to learn about it and see and understand why another trainer may use it.
You will find that I have a genuine love for dogs and their relationship with their owners and helping you live a more harmonious life together.
Here is her history:
I grew up without a dog, in a family that had no intentions of ever getting one. So, I found myself walking my neighbors dogs and starting a small business out of it and offering vacation care as well.
At the age of about 16, I became interested in the field of training, but because of my age I was a liability to have around. Finally I found a service dog organization in Fair Oaks. I volunteered and learned everything they would teach me. I raised many service dogs and aided in the raising of many more. I became a trainer for their organization teaching basic obedience, pet therapy, and service dog classes. This organization used an all positive approach to training and while it was fun and up beat, I could tell something was off in relation to the reliability of the tasks taught.
In the summer of 2008 I went away to a dog training school that appeared to be the best, National K9 in Colombus Ohio. It was an intensive immersion program of 6weeks of training with a dog in which we taught them full obedience on and off leash, retrieve items like a quarter and a credit card (Without putting a dent in it), protection work and scent discrimination. Everything I learned here was reliable. The dog would do it no matter what, but part of me didnt always agree with the methods or like the dogs attitude when performing commands.
Shortly after returning home I began learning from another trainer in the Sacramento area. Who allowed me to sit in on group classes, even follow him to private lessons. This was my 1st real grounding point where I found a balance and when I started to learn of this training idea of Balanced dog training - using food and play to teach commands but some consequences used fairly are necessary in making them reliable.
This was the middle ground I was looking for and that felt right!
I finally got a dog of my own in August of 2009, Ritter - a mutt from the Sacramento City Animal Shelter, and began competing with him in AKC obedience trials soon after.
I started off teaching 2-3 Group Classes a night 4-5 Nights a week with Puppy Classes on Saturday Mornings.
This was a great start and I helped lots of dogs and their owners during that time, but I also watched alot of owners struggle. The reactive dog who barked most of the way through the 1st several classes would get all of my attention because I had to work with him to get him quiet so everyone else would be able to hear me and learn. Or using methods that as I look back were maybe a little unfair to the unruly dog who didn't know anything to begin with and is bewildered and stressed in a new place but punishment of some form was necessary to gain control to have the dog manageable in this environment.
Over the years I have experimented and shifted how I've taught to continue to improve the experience and helping clients get the results they really want.
For awhile I began requiring a Consult at my facility before their 1st class, this gave them some foundation and a chance for me to really get to know the dog and owner and what their needs were and both parties weren't as stressed at their 1st class. That was a huge step forward that made things alot better.
I still saw alot of owners who struggled with the fact that their dog could sit, down, and come but still had problems at home, or they needed the one on one help of how to implement these things into their life.
Around this same time I was also running a facility setup with an assistant trainer and a kennel help for a while. We'd have boarding dogs and 5-10 dogs for daycare in addition to board and trains, private lessons and group classes.
I realized I was bigger than I wanted to be. While I was able to help more people and their dogs, I was losing touch with the intimate relationships of knowing all of my clients personally and not having the time to really help them on a deeper level on what they really needed.
Thats when the magic happened, I shifted away from group classes, got rid of "boarding and daycare" ( I do still have something I call CAMP to help dogs touch up on their training for the day or overnights - its only for past / current clients.
In these programs I set both the dog and owner up for success. The dog gets to learn at home or my house depending on the program, but in an environment they are comfortable with, without outside distractions or stimulus. So what they are learning they really get to learn and learn it well. And the owners get to focus on their dog! Not frustrated that the dogs not listening or that they are late to class, or that the dogs the "bad kid" in class. When the dog has a good foundation in their obedience and skills they need THEN as part of a bigger program my clients get to participate in "Field Trips" these are group classes at Pet Food Express, or dinner at an outdoor restaurant, walks out on local trails, walks through community events and much more. This sets EVERYONE up for so much more success.
I have also added an online program of a compilation of training videos that they can re-reference things their learning.
And a Facebook Group for them to reach out and share videos of training to get feedback in between training sessions and get support through the whole journey.
My training approach has certainly shifted over time and my priorities as far as where the dogs emotional state is at and whats in the dogs best interest to help align that with the owners goals is a huge part of my focus now.
I will continue to learn, and shift my training packages and approach to what best fits the dogs and the owners needs as I continue to learn, grow and challenge myself to be better than I was yesterday.
I grew up without a dog, in a family that had no intentions of ever getting one. So, I found myself walking my neighbors dogs and starting a small business out of it and offering vacation care as well.
At the age of about 16, I became interested in the field of training, but because of my age I was a liability to have around. Finally I found a service dog organization in Fair Oaks. I volunteered and learned everything they would teach me. I raised many service dogs and aided in the raising of many more. I became a trainer for their organization teaching basic obedience, pet therapy, and service dog classes. This organization used an all positive approach to training and while it was fun and up beat, I could tell something was off in relation to the reliability of the tasks taught.
In the summer of 2008 I went away to a dog training school that appeared to be the best, National K9 in Colombus Ohio. It was an intensive immersion program of 6weeks of training with a dog in which we taught them full obedience on and off leash, retrieve items like a quarter and a credit card (Without putting a dent in it), protection work and scent discrimination. Everything I learned here was reliable. The dog would do it no matter what, but part of me didnt always agree with the methods or like the dogs attitude when performing commands.
Shortly after returning home I began learning from another trainer in the Sacramento area. Who allowed me to sit in on group classes, even follow him to private lessons. This was my 1st real grounding point where I found a balance and when I started to learn of this training idea of Balanced dog training - using food and play to teach commands but some consequences used fairly are necessary in making them reliable.
This was the middle ground I was looking for and that felt right!
I finally got a dog of my own in August of 2009, Ritter - a mutt from the Sacramento City Animal Shelter, and began competing with him in AKC obedience trials soon after.
I started off teaching 2-3 Group Classes a night 4-5 Nights a week with Puppy Classes on Saturday Mornings.
This was a great start and I helped lots of dogs and their owners during that time, but I also watched alot of owners struggle. The reactive dog who barked most of the way through the 1st several classes would get all of my attention because I had to work with him to get him quiet so everyone else would be able to hear me and learn. Or using methods that as I look back were maybe a little unfair to the unruly dog who didn't know anything to begin with and is bewildered and stressed in a new place but punishment of some form was necessary to gain control to have the dog manageable in this environment.
Over the years I have experimented and shifted how I've taught to continue to improve the experience and helping clients get the results they really want.
For awhile I began requiring a Consult at my facility before their 1st class, this gave them some foundation and a chance for me to really get to know the dog and owner and what their needs were and both parties weren't as stressed at their 1st class. That was a huge step forward that made things alot better.
I still saw alot of owners who struggled with the fact that their dog could sit, down, and come but still had problems at home, or they needed the one on one help of how to implement these things into their life.
Around this same time I was also running a facility setup with an assistant trainer and a kennel help for a while. We'd have boarding dogs and 5-10 dogs for daycare in addition to board and trains, private lessons and group classes.
I realized I was bigger than I wanted to be. While I was able to help more people and their dogs, I was losing touch with the intimate relationships of knowing all of my clients personally and not having the time to really help them on a deeper level on what they really needed.
Thats when the magic happened, I shifted away from group classes, got rid of "boarding and daycare" ( I do still have something I call CAMP to help dogs touch up on their training for the day or overnights - its only for past / current clients.
In these programs I set both the dog and owner up for success. The dog gets to learn at home or my house depending on the program, but in an environment they are comfortable with, without outside distractions or stimulus. So what they are learning they really get to learn and learn it well. And the owners get to focus on their dog! Not frustrated that the dogs not listening or that they are late to class, or that the dogs the "bad kid" in class. When the dog has a good foundation in their obedience and skills they need THEN as part of a bigger program my clients get to participate in "Field Trips" these are group classes at Pet Food Express, or dinner at an outdoor restaurant, walks out on local trails, walks through community events and much more. This sets EVERYONE up for so much more success.
I have also added an online program of a compilation of training videos that they can re-reference things their learning.
And a Facebook Group for them to reach out and share videos of training to get feedback in between training sessions and get support through the whole journey.
My training approach has certainly shifted over time and my priorities as far as where the dogs emotional state is at and whats in the dogs best interest to help align that with the owners goals is a huge part of my focus now.
I will continue to learn, and shift my training packages and approach to what best fits the dogs and the owners needs as I continue to learn, grow and challenge myself to be better than I was yesterday.
December 2011 Volunteer of the Month of GSGSR
"My goal is to help make people's lives not only liveable with their dogs but enjoyable so that they will keep them and find the true joy in owning a dog once you get past the little frustrations that stand in the way. And to make those dogs without homes the best they can be to become more adoptable. They are all such great dogs, and with a little work they can be so wonderful! My favorite. personal experience success story:
Luke came out of a hoarders house in Loomis that had 80 animals. He came to me with such a great temperment for being in such an awful situation. A family came to look at him and I had him on a leash in the front yard and he walked up to one of their kids and rested his head into the kids shoulder, the kid wrapped his arms around Luke and I knew he would be going home with them. It is so rewarding to pull a dog out of a shelter and give them a bath, food, attention and a little training and find them a new home."- Eleza
Luke came out of a hoarders house in Loomis that had 80 animals. He came to me with such a great temperment for being in such an awful situation. A family came to look at him and I had him on a leash in the front yard and he walked up to one of their kids and rested his head into the kids shoulder, the kid wrapped his arms around Luke and I knew he would be going home with them. It is so rewarding to pull a dog out of a shelter and give them a bath, food, attention and a little training and find them a new home."- Eleza
Meet the TEAM
Ritter (Passed away Jan 2022)
5/28/2012 Ritter has his CD title in obedience! He placed 1st in all 3 qualifying competitions.
Ritter was a demonstration of the potential in your dogs. He was just another mutt puppy cast aside a stray. I found him at Sacramento city animal shelter when he was about 5months old. That little shelter puppy has turned into a wonderful well behaved dog that beats even the pure breeds at AKC competition obedience trials.
Ritters was the best and helped alot of dogs throughout his life. He will forever have a spot in my heart, hearts of many of my clients.
Ritter was a demonstration of the potential in your dogs. He was just another mutt puppy cast aside a stray. I found him at Sacramento city animal shelter when he was about 5months old. That little shelter puppy has turned into a wonderful well behaved dog that beats even the pure breeds at AKC competition obedience trials.
Ritters was the best and helped alot of dogs throughout his life. He will forever have a spot in my heart, hearts of many of my clients.
Laika
She is now a 9 Year old Dutch Shepherd.
Shes my difficult dog.
I foolishly bought her to distract me from other life things - so i got a high caliber dog that would take alot of my time and distract me - It worked.
But i had no idea what i had gotten myself into.
Which is a common scenario most of my clients seem to also find themselves in - so I really do understand and can empathize with you.
Got in a bit over my head in the beginning.
We dabbled in Search and Rescue but she made it clear to me she needed more we then tried out French Ring and she and I found our tribe/our people and our calling in Mondio Ring.
Shes since retired from High Impact dog sports as shes aging and she continues to be work every single day. Easier of course with training but shes alot of dog and I can't change who she is to be a mellow house pet. Shes taught me ALOT over the years. Mostly that I'll never have another dutch shepherd just doesn't fit my lifestyle. But I do truly appreciate all of the difficult sessions and challenges shes given me that has allowed me to see different perspectives as well as how to get creative in training to find new ways to motivate her.
Shes my difficult dog.
I foolishly bought her to distract me from other life things - so i got a high caliber dog that would take alot of my time and distract me - It worked.
But i had no idea what i had gotten myself into.
Which is a common scenario most of my clients seem to also find themselves in - so I really do understand and can empathize with you.
Got in a bit over my head in the beginning.
We dabbled in Search and Rescue but she made it clear to me she needed more we then tried out French Ring and she and I found our tribe/our people and our calling in Mondio Ring.
Shes since retired from High Impact dog sports as shes aging and she continues to be work every single day. Easier of course with training but shes alot of dog and I can't change who she is to be a mellow house pet. Shes taught me ALOT over the years. Mostly that I'll never have another dutch shepherd just doesn't fit my lifestyle. But I do truly appreciate all of the difficult sessions and challenges shes given me that has allowed me to see different perspectives as well as how to get creative in training to find new ways to motivate her.
BLISS
She is just that she is BLISS in every aspect.
Shes a purpose bred sportmix terrier (Border Terrier/Border Collie/ Whippet / Malinois)
She Helps daily with dog socialization, being a neutral dog for reactive dog lessons and of course is the best at cleaning up extra treats that have been dropped.
She is a do it all doggy - We are learning Agility together, She plays flyball, dock diving, and hunts with Kevin.
We bred Bliss in November of 2022.
Raising her litter was an incredible learning process to the EARLY stages of puppy development and all the things they are capable of from an incredibly young age. I also learned alot about what behaviors we think are just dog behavior that are really tied very deeply in genetics and are genetic traits of the dogs and who they are. Thankful for that opportunity to give up 4 months of my life and a very expensive process. But worth it for the knowledge I gained.
She is just that she is BLISS in every aspect.
Shes a purpose bred sportmix terrier (Border Terrier/Border Collie/ Whippet / Malinois)
She Helps daily with dog socialization, being a neutral dog for reactive dog lessons and of course is the best at cleaning up extra treats that have been dropped.
She is a do it all doggy - We are learning Agility together, She plays flyball, dock diving, and hunts with Kevin.
We bred Bliss in November of 2022.
Raising her litter was an incredible learning process to the EARLY stages of puppy development and all the things they are capable of from an incredibly young age. I also learned alot about what behaviors we think are just dog behavior that are really tied very deeply in genetics and are genetic traits of the dogs and who they are. Thankful for that opportunity to give up 4 months of my life and a very expensive process. But worth it for the knowledge I gained.
Kevin
(Eleza's Husband)
Kevin has been helping behind the scenes for the past 7years.
Hes the fun guy!
Enforces the basic rules and manners.
His mission is to be bff with every dog who walks through the door.
Some may take a little longer than others to win over but he is happy to take the time the dog needs to share space and build trust over the course of an afternoon, several days and shares much of his popcorn and salami snacks to make new friends.
(Eleza's Husband)
Kevin has been helping behind the scenes for the past 7years.
Hes the fun guy!
Enforces the basic rules and manners.
His mission is to be bff with every dog who walks through the door.
Some may take a little longer than others to win over but he is happy to take the time the dog needs to share space and build trust over the course of an afternoon, several days and shares much of his popcorn and salami snacks to make new friends.