Do Your Homework! One of the most important things to do once you make the decision to train your dog is to check out the trainer!  Just as there are many different methods of training, there are many different types of trainers.  It is vital that you find a trainer that both you and your dog are comfortable with to ensure positive training results.  Lake Norman Natural Dog Training offers superior training services to people who care about their relationship with their dogs.

The Trainer

Fran Iwanicki is the owner and principal trainer of Lake Norman Natural Dog Training. She has been training animals, including horses and cats as well as dogs for over 20 years.  Fran started training professionally ( or as she likes to say "making a living") in North Carolina 7 years ago.  After years of offering her talent to animal owners across the country for the cost of travel, Fran decided to make this her full time profession.  In addition, Fran has owned and trained over 25 of her own dogs, most that were "throw aways" slated for death row for behavioral and socialization issues.  Fran's education includes coursework in equine science, comparative psychology, ehtology as well as extensive studies and course work in behavior modification. 

One of the most important aspects of being an excellent dog trainer is having excellent people skills-- and Fran has over 15 years experience in the corporate world as both a trainer as well as a curriculum developer. 

Fran's Curriculum Vitae                                                                                                                                              

  Fran's Training and Behavior Library

Beginnings

A native of New England, Fran has lived in several states including California, Texas, Maryland and Arizona.  Fran's first experiences with dogs were not what you would call positive!  Her earliest recollection as a child of 4, was being knocked down by a Great Dane, and having the dog drool on her face as he stood over her.  Soon after that, Fran was bitten by a stray German Shepherd as she was petting him. This was followed by being chased by a pack of strays as she walked home from school.  None of these experiences deterred her from loving anything with fur! Summers spent in the country allowed Fran to share time with cows, horses, dogs, cats and an assortment of farm animals.  Working as a volunteer with several humane and rescue groups from the early 80's gave Fran the opportunity to work with a great number of dogs with behavioral issues.  Being able to successfully change unwanted behaviors and helping to transition dogs into new homes became a hallmark of her work with animals.  Initially, her desire was to be a veterinarian, and while that would have been a worthy career, most of her clients would agree, Fran is an intuitive trainer who can connect with both animals and people.

Her Passion

The #1 cause of canine death is euthanasia.  Most dogs are given up to shelters and rescues because of behavioral issues.  Many of those issues are able to be changed and many should have never started.  Fran's experience with Humane and Rescue organizations such as the SPCA of Dallas, Texas, the Humane Society of Iredell County, Humane Society of Catawba County and breed rescue groups like the NC Boxer Rescue, Alaskan Malamute Assistance League and others, has given Fran the opportunity to save good dogs in a bad situation from euthanasia or owner surrender.  Because of this experience, Fran devotes most of her work with dogs to family dogs.  Starting from early puppy socialization to older dog obedience, her work is about keeping dogs and their people TOGETHER!

Today

Fran currently owns and operates two dog training businesses: Lake Norman Natural Dog Training in the Greater Mooresville, NC area, and K9 Homeschool.com in the Winston Salem, NC area.  Many of Fran's clients are vet referred and others are referred to her from previous clients.  You make want to check out some of Fran's testimonials!                         Fran has worked with hundreds of clients in the Mooresville and Winston Salem area, as well as rescue groups, peers, kennel clubs and shelter volunteers. She is also an approved Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and also a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC.)  She shares her home in Statesville, with 2 longhaired dachshunds, Mica, her rescue Alaskan Malamute, blind cat named Simon, and a recent kitty rescue named Thomas Edison. She also owns 3 horses: Nina, Stetson, an abuse rescue and Reese a kill pen rescue.