Meet Your Trainer
My name is Sam Schmill and I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I have always felt a special connection to animals, and when I got my first pet, Clover, a two pound rabbit, I knew I was destined to work with animals.
Four years and a dog later I got my bachelors degree in Animal Behavior. I worked in a grooming salon and interned as a dog trainer at other companies before realizing that what I really wanted to do was open my own business to bring my own unique touch to dog training.
Raising Bailey, my golden retriever, I learned how incredible the bond between dogs and their humans are. Bailey and I tried all types of training from obedience to tracking. It was with her that I decided on my main focuses - obedience and service dog training. She inspired me to become a Canine Good Citizen evaluator for the American Kennel Club and to formulate my own wholesome approach to dog training.
My belief is that dog training is built upon a strong foundation of trust and positive reinforcement. We then must create boundaries using the proper tools, tailoring the process to each individual dog, in order to create an enriching, happy life for both the dog and their human. That is what I have done for me and Bailey and for countless other dogs, and what I hope to be able to help you do too!
Qualifications, Certifications, and Continuing Education
Bachelors Degree in Animal Behavior from Franklin and Marshall College
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Service Dog Training Certification through Service Dog Secrets Course with Victoria Warfel
Foundations Certified through TRIKOS Team Dog
Basic Obedience Certified through TRIKOS Team Dog
Behavior Modification Certified through TRIKOS Team Dog
The Lemonade Conference 2022 Attendee
Canine CPR/First Aid Certified Through Pet Emergency Academy
2022 Penn Vet Working Dog Conference Attendee
2022 IACP Annual Educational Conference Virtual Attendee
Experience working in both a grooming salon and veterinary setting
Herm Sprenger & Prong Collar Knowledge Assessed
2023 IACP Annual Educational Conference Attendee
Yankee Golden Retriever Club Member
*Bear Necessities is named after my sister, who we used to call B Bear, who passed away tragically at 18 years old. Her last expressed wish to me was the wish to pet Bailey one more time. The joy that Bailey brought her throughout her life is a joy that I hope to bring to others. That is why when Bear Necessities grows large enough I plan to expand our services to include raising and training of service and facility dogs.*