Ciska Wilson found solutions for her challenging dog—along with a satisfying new career—at VSA.
After nearly two decades as a finance executive for a major food manufacturing company, which involved frequent travel, Ciska Wilson was ready for a change. When she took redundancy in November 2021, she seized the opportunity to fulfill her long-held dream of getting a dog. Little did she know that this decision would lead her down an entirely new career path.
“I wasn’t able to have a dog before because I was traveling so much,” Ciska explains. Soon after leaving her finance career, she welcomed not just one but two German Shorthaired Pointers into her life. Ciska had been a triathlete and was drawn to the high-energy breed and the prospect of participating in canicross—a sport where dogs and humans run together.
However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. While her younger dog Milo adapted well, Scout, her first pointer, began displaying concerning behaviors. Despite completing the Kennel Club Good Citizen program through the gold level, Scout’s issues persisted and worsened.
Seeing each dog as an individual
“Scout didn’t walk well on the leash. She would spin at the end of the lead and snap and growl when walking past other dogs or people,” Ciska recalls. “In the house, she did counter surfing in the kitchen, stole food and things like eyeglasses. If you tried to get things back from her, she would growl and resource guard. It was getting worse and worse.”
Frustrated and concerned, Ciska searched for solutions. That’s when she discovered the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior (VSA). “I recognized Victoria from when she did the It’s Me or The Dog television show in the UK, and I liked her approach,” she says. “What I liked about Victoria Stilwell’s program was that it went through why dogs behave the way they do, and it was positive. Other dog training programs seemed a bit light in what they were offering.”
Ciska enrolled in VSA’s Dog Trainer Course online in August 2023, graduating the following January. The comprehensive curriculum not only helped her understand Scout’s behavior but also provided the tools to address it effectively. “I learned about shaping behaviors and really breaking down trying to understand why she was doing things,” Ciska explains. “Scout was just anxious and fearful, and although she was getting a lot of exercise, she wasn’t getting enough mental stimulation.”
Armed with her VSA training, Ciska developed new strategies for working with Scout. Instead of just physical exercise, she incorporated mental challenges and positive reinforcement techniques. “We started doing gun dog training, teaching her how to retrieve and hunt for toys. That really tired her out mentally. It was a game changer,” she says.
The transformation in Scout was remarkable. Where once there was tension and anxiety, now there was understanding and cooperation. This success inspired Ciska to pursue dog training professionally, and she began taking clients in early 2024.
Going professional
“I’m quite choosy about the clients that I have,” she notes. “I just do private one-to-one at the moment, and I’m only taking clients who I really know I can help because I want to grow through word of mouth.”
For those considering a career in dog training, Ciska strongly endorses VSA’s program. “I would definitely recommend Victoria Stilwell’s course because it was very comprehensive, professionally put together, with clear course materials,” she emphasizes. “You had the videos to follow, practical examples, and weekly meetings with my faculty advisor, Tracy, who really gave a lot of her own time to explain and talk me through which methods would work best.”
The program’s thorough approach goes beyond just dog training techniques. Ciska particularly appreciated how VSA prepared her for the business side of her new career. Within just four weeks of graduating, she successfully launched her practice using the materials and guidance provided by the academy. VSA provided not just education, but a complete foundation for a successful new career in positive dog training.
Learn more about preparing for a rewarding career as a dog trainer with VSA’s premier Dog Trainer Course.
