If you have any further questions, would like to discuss concerns not addressed by this website or need any other help, please don't hesitate to contact me.

If you are a former student and need to discuss a problem or question pertaining to your dog - please call - I'm here to help!

Claire Silver, M. Ed. Instructor, Trainer

Phone: (802) 895-4826

Cell: (802) 673-7138

E-Mail: ClaireSilver@SmartDogz.biz

Meet The Trainers and Instructors

Claire Silver has over 20 years training and showing dogs. She has achieved advanced obedience titles on multiple dogs in the United States (AKC) and Canada (CKC). Originally, Claire began her career as a Horseback Riding Instructor and Trainer, showing horses and instructing students at a National and World level.

After graduating from North Country High School, she received a Bachelor of Science degree from the renowned Equestrian Science College, William Woods in Fulton, Missouri and her Masters in Education from Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire. Claire professes that she never regrets a moment of her college career as it prepared her to educate people how to successfully train their dogs.

In 1994 Claire returned home to Derby, Vermont. That is when she became involved with the Frontier Animal Society of Vermont as the Canine Coordinator, Canine Foster Home and Cruelty Investigator. During this period she became aware that there was an overwhelming need for educating the public on humane treatment of animals and dog training. This became her goal for many years, offering training to homeless dogs and educating their new families.

In 1997 she opened her dog training expertise to the general public, Canine Obedience by Claire Silver. Her hope was that local, affordable dog training and obedience instruction would be a proactive approach to establishing permanent loving homes for the canines of Orleans County. To-date, Claire’s graduates have gone on to compete in Agility and Obedience Trials, work as Therapy and Assistance Dogs, and achieve AKC awards as Canine Good Citizens. Mostly, you can observe the graduates of Canine Obedience by Claire Silver enjoying a walk with their owners; they are the happy dogs who are not pulling their owner’s arms off! Claire continues to work collaboratively with local animal shelters, veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities and even occasionally goes out on a cruelty call with the state and local authorities.

Meet Christian Matson and his Labrador retriever, Sophie. Christian is the newest member to join the Smartdogz Team. Christian acquired Sophie with the intention to enjoy her not only as a pet, but, as a dog to hunt water and upland fowl. Sophie under the guidance of Christian, has matured into a very talented retriever. I was so impressed with Sophie’s abilities and Christian’s training methods that I wanted him to share his gift of training retrieval hunting dogs with the public.

Meet Kellie Collins and one of her wonderful Labrador Retrievers, “Edison” aka Hillsdale Point of Light CGC

Kellie has been a perfect addition to our the team of highly qualified instructors. For years, Kellie has taught Agility Classes and Rally Obedience classes for Canine Obedience by Claire Silver.

Kellie, owner and operator of Hillsdale True-Blue Labradors was established in 1982 in the capital district of Albany NY. Daily life was filled with obedience work, field training and breed ring competitions. Spare time was filled with boarding critters and giving behavioral consultations, classes, and working as a veterinarian assistant..

However, my greatest love was having a voice for those who could not be heard and in that capacity I worked with the NY State Police helping to close down puppy mills and animal collectors. In 2003 the animals and I moved to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont to a simpler life where the joys are many.

Meet The Smartdogz Team

Apprentices

Canine Obedience by Claire Silver’s teaching isn’t limited exclusively to dogs. Every year we welcome an apprentice to our ranks. This is internship is offered to an aspiring, young dog trainer. To apply for an apprenticeship, contact csilver@smartdogz.biz.

Webmaster

You may have noticed Xavier Capaldi around, either with a camera in-hand, or with his dog Tess. Xav and his father took their dog, Tess, through Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced obedience, as well as through Flyball. He was one of the obedience and Flyball demonstrators at Derby Days - see the picture to the left. Xavier's skills are by no means limited to canine pursuits.

Xavier is homeschooled and originally designed this site as part of a homeschooling project. Over the past year, his skills in web design and html have become integral to the ongoing operation of both the SmartDogz website, and the lost dogs listing for the Town of Derby. We may have one of the youngest webmasters in the Northeast Kingdom - and we are proud of it!