Maureen O'Brien-Cruz, KPA CTP

Maureen O'Brien-Cruz, KPA CTP
Dog Trainer

My Role at Tucker Pup's

I assist with all of our programs, including Dropoff Training, Behavioral Modification, and Stay and Train. I specialize in helping dogs with highly challenging behaviors.

Dog Training Background

Before coming to Tucker Pup's and graduating from Karen Pryor Academy, I have been a dedicated volunteer at Anti-Cruelty in their dog programs since 2017. As as volunteer, I helped adopters find their new forever family member and advised them on handling behavioral issues, pioneered new volunteer programs, and trained new volunteers to handle challenging dogs.

Why I Became a Dog Trainer

I am passionate about making education and learning accessible for everyone and helping people communicate the best way that they can with people and animals.

My grandfather was the ultimate dog person. He was a dog expert and instinctual dog trainer who I learned a lot from. Even when he didn’t have his own dog, local animals would follow him and listen to whatever he asked of them. Seeing someone this connected to animals and seemingly reading their thoughts created a lifelong passion for me to work with animals and understand them more.

Volunteering at Anti-Cruelty in Chicago, I saw the strides the behavior staff were able to make with the animals to help them on their journey to adoption and I wanted to learn all I could. As time went on, I realized that there were animals who, with the right training, might never have been turned in to the shelter in the first place, and I wanted to be a part of that. I also wanted to help those dogs who went to their new homes find their best chance at success.

I have had the good fortune to work with people from many walks of life in my professional and volunteer roles over the years and have learned to adapt to support the individual and their needs, rather than thinking that there is a one-size-fits-all solution to any problem.

Certifications

I am certified as a KPA-CTP by Karen Pryor Academy, one of the leading dog training academies in the country.

Education

I graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a Masters of Arts in Literary Studies. I also graduated from Strathclyde University, with a Post Graduate degree in Secondary Education.

My Pets

My two dogs Fitz (Shih-tzu/Bichon) and Bingley (Shih-tzu/mystery mix) are named after characters from Pride and Prejudice – Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley. Their personalities are a perfect match for their names, with Fitz tolerating people and Bingley in "a rage to approve of everything and everyone that he meets."

Before I Became a Dog Trainer

I have coordinated PhD and Masters Program for Loyola University. Prior to that, was a teacher in my hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, in the South East of England, and in the South Side of Chicago over a number of years.