Vicky O'Connor began her training career with horses...or specifically, one unridable pony called 'Satchmo'. Satchmo didn't like to be ridden, and to solve this problem, he would take off running, until his rider got the message.

What to do? Fighting with this pony hadn't worked, so Vicky took him to a securely fenced field, wearing no bridle, got on, and let him run! One and a half times around the field, and he had decided that running was not very useful, and Vicky had learned that fighting with an animal is not necessary.

Lessons can be taught...and learned...without force.

Vicky later began training and showing dogs. Her first dog was a Whippet. She was told that they were 'impossible to train'. However, 'Rockabye Superdog' earned his C.D., C.D.X. and U.D., making him a C.K.C. Obedience Trial Champion. Only a handful of Whippets have ever gone this far...maybe because everyone thinks they are untrainable.

Vicky's public speaking career was enhanced as a member of Toastmasters International. As a member, she competed in speech contests and did educational presentations for T.I.

Also a professional writer, she wrote a very popular newspaper column for several years.

Never satisfied with simply getting a animal (or person) to master a behaviour, Vicky has spent many years studying how learning happens, and learning the methods that make one a successful teacher. Just because it works, doesn't mean that there isn't something better out there!

Goal Setting and Visualization and their uses in teaching have been special interests of hers for many years. Did you know that when goals are physically written down, they are far more likely to be reached?

The day she attended her first clicker training seminar was an unforgettable experience for Vicky. She decided, on that day, to learn as much as she could about this incredible way of communicating with animals.

Taking part in one of Bob Bailey's Chicken training seminars was another incredible experience, helping her become a better teacher and trainer.

Today, in her classes, she stresses that the animals are the teachers. It is the humans who need to pay the most attention, and if we try really hard...we will be the ones who will do the most learning.

Vicky also visted several pounds, and also taught the veterinarians, at the veterinary school about Clicker training.