Fawn Pierre Erler’s journey as a certified dog trainer is marked by profound passion and significant achievements in enhancing the bond between humans and their canine companions. Since beginning her professional journey with Dr. Ian Dunbar at Sirius® Puppy Training in 1995, Fawn has become a renowned figure in the dog training world, known for her expertise and heartfelt dedication.
A third-generation San Franciscan, Fawn combines exceptional teaching abilities, mastery in training skills, and engaging, informative classes. Her approachability and innate talent for nurturing the human-canine bond have made her a sought-after mentor globally.
Her philosophy centers on the uniqueness of each dog and person, advocating for tailored, intelligent guidance to enrich their relationship.
Professional Journey and Education
Fawn's ten-year tenure at the San Francisco SPCA showcased her commitment and innovation in the field. Not only did she excel in teaching dog trainers the puppy program, clicker training program and ad, but she also made lasting contributions to both dogs and their owners. At the SFSPCA's Behavior and Training Department, she authored and founded the acclaimed "Academy for Dog Walkers," which has become a cornerstone resource in the industry (https://dogbizsuccess.com/dwa-new-home/).
Graduating with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Dog Training Academy in 2000, Fawn further advanced her skills at Bob Bailey's "Cross-Species Operant Conditioning Training Workshop," a pivotal experience that refined her training methods.
In 1999, she pioneered the country's first structured puppy daycare, focusing on early socialization and foundational training, a testament to her forward-thinking approach.
Mentorship and Influences
Being at the right place at the right time, Fawn had the privilege of learning from and being mentored by esteemed figures like Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Bob Bailey and Ken Ramirez, enriching her expertise and perspective in dog training.
Approach to Training
In each session, Fawn applies applied learning theory techniques, advanced skills to ensure both effective and enjoyable learning experiences. Her work with her first dog, Bebop (1994-2009), continues to inspire her approach, emphasizing the unique needs of each dog and owner.
Personal Life and Mission
Beyond her professional achievements, Fawn enjoys surfing, hiking in Northern California, and quality time with her dog, Smarty. Fluent (ish) in French, Italian, and most importantly, Dog, she embodies a lifestyle of interspecies communication and understanding.
Fawn Pierre's mission is to enhance the human-dog bond, promote harmony, and continuously improve the lives of dogs while enriching human understanding of their behavior. She belives that each dog and person is unique and deserves simply the best and most intelligent guidance possible.
Two out of three dogs (and their people) in San Francisco recommend Fawn
In a letter to San Francisco Veterinarians, Dr. Ian Dunbar, founder of Sirius® Puppy Training wrote “ […], without a doubt Fawn is the most experienced and the most talented puppy trainer in San Francisco. She is a natural teacher — utterly conscientious, creative, fast-paced, funny and extremely engaging. When you entrust your puppy clients to Fawn, you may rest assured that they are going to receive the very best education.”
Jean Donadlson wrote about Fawn “Your teaching is so good it makes me want to cry”. That, made Fawn cry!
Fawn Pierre believes training a dog should be a happy experience — both for the dog as well as the human. She is a gifted storyteller and has unique abilities to diagnose and resolve issues creatively and to communicate solutions affably and clearly — resulting in smiles and wags all around. Fawn brings a wealth of experience as well as an easygoing and caring approach to training.
Mission Statement
Fawn is dedicated to enhancing the human-dog bond by promoting interactive harmony and interspecies appreciation, while striving to raise the dog’s quality of life and contributing to people's understanding of domestic dog behavior