Devene
Godau
Besides having grehounds of her own, Devene has fostered many retired racers and galgos. She has been active with Grehound and Galgo rescue for many years, and has also fostered for Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue.
She obtained a BA in Jounalism from Michigan State University in 1995, and spent several years working in marketing and graphic design. However, when she adopted her first greyhound (who came with some behavior challenges) and began researching ways to modify her problem behavior - she found the help she and her hound needed at Trainers Academy. From there, she became a volunteer assistant, and eventually quit her marketing job to work full time in the dog traiing world. She apprenticed with several TA instructors, including Trainers Academy President, Lisa Patrona, for four years and worked as her Assistant Instructor for two of those years before becoing a Group Class Instructor, and Behavior Consultant.
Devene was nominated for a "Social Training Excellence" through the International Positive Dog Trainers Association in 2008, and continues her studies by attending professional seminars and educational events.
She conducts private in-home lessons, and teaches Puppy and Intermediate classes regularly. She also instructs the Greyhounds Only and CGC proofing class. Her articles have been published in The Association of Pet Dog Trainers book Top Tips from Top Trainers as well as in Walk About Magazine and on national websites such as greyhoundsupport.org, WOOFology.com and ConnectingNeighbors.com
Devene lives in Royal Oak with her husband, Mark, and their three kids. They are owned by Sprky, CGC, a Spanish Greyhound, Sunny, CGC, TDI, a retired racing Greyhound, and Hayley, their Siamese cat.
Read what Devene's students
say:
- "If I had questions, even if they were not in the curriculum, Devene always answered them and offered her knowledge/expertise."
~Danielle and Travis wtith Oreo
"Devene and the volunteers were amazing and ALWAYS willing to answer questions."
~Sheila Buchman with Berkeley
"I can't stress enough how much I enjoy your training classes!! The very first dog training class I took was a puppy class at your Orchard Lake/Keego Harbor facility over 11 years ago with our first dog. I applied what I learned there in every class I've taken since as I trained him to compete at agility trials. When I started out with our new pup, I considered myself a fairly experienced trainer, but he turned out to be a different kind of training challenge than our first dog, and one that I soon felt unprepared for. Devene took the time to send me very helpful information to address issues I was dealing with that fell outside what was being covered in class. And she, along with the volunteer coaches, were very supportive and encouraging regarding the progress that we made in class. I learned so much from all of them, I'm hoping you offer an Advanced Class soon so we can come back and learn some more!"~Jane Cardillo with Jake
"Hi!
We left yesterday, with Alice, for an adventure to Puerto Rico.
Since we left yesterday to now, there have been so many firsts for our puppy...2 commercial airline flights (staying calmly in her 'den' under the seat in front of me), a flight on an 8 person jet (this she did not enjoy...but was a real trooper) and lunch at an open aired restaurant, where she laid next to my chair until released....even the stray dog on the street didn't distract her.
Alice has been a star....and much of it due to the motivation we learned by taking your class! We've all seen those well behaved dogs walking nicely on city streets, laying next to their people at open aired restaurants, greeting strangers calmly, etc. I never dreamed it would be our Alice!!
We have so much work to do....but, the work we've done so far and the training that you've taught us has made this trip possible.
Warm Regards,
Jennifer and Alice"
"Hello Devene and trainers!
I just wanted to take a minute to thank you and update you on how Monster has been since you last knew. Training with Monster hasn't stopped, we continue to work around distractions and in an ideal environment he will respond to over twenty words! In long chains too. Thank you all so much for all you have done for us, and I look forward to doing a class in the future."
~ Cameron Luchtel with Monster
"I loved the experience I had at Trainers Academy's Intermediate class. Devene was an amazing teacher. She made the class fun for me and my dog Chopper. I can't believe how far Chopper has come since the first day of class. He is a two year old boxer who was dog aggressive and didnt listen to me very well. Now after the six week class, I can have him in a room with other dogs and he is relaxed and not being aggressive at all. Plus at home he is a great boy and listens so much better. I recommend Trainers Academy to anyone at any level with their pets."
~ Jennifer Ross with Chopper
"Devene,
You are such a gentle teacher and so positive for the least bit of improvement and your keen dog sense is amazing.....your intuitive nature seems one with each dog!!! So cool!
Thanks!"
~ Jennifer Schwarb and Jack
"Devene- Just a note to let you know that Sluggo is doing very well. He is no longer using the crate and has been blocked in the kitchen with Cassidy all day when we are at work. We have been doing this for over a month and have not had an issue. He still won’t go potty for our neighbor but holds it all day until we get home. He also hasn’t had an accident in the house for a couple of months. I really think the big difference was getting him over his fear of the grass.
Sluggo really is a great dog (Ok, it does helps he is madly in love with me), and I can’t believe he was a rescue, all he needed was a little (ok a lot) of patience and understanding. I can’t thank you enough for all of your help in getting him over this potty-training hurdle.
I have learned a lot from you and Trainers Academy. I have recommended Trainers Academy in the past but am even more passionate about it now. You guys are great and are really in tune with the ways dogs operate and think.Thanks again for your help and all you have done."
~ Roberta Krupp with Sluggo
"I've been extremely pleased with the whole experience. It was fun and very helpful. This was money well spent and I have a happier new greyhound family member. I think having a class of greyhounds only is a fabulous way to begin. My older grey, Mazie, age 11, has learned much of what I've practiced with Mac, and has gained loads of treats just for standing around and being pretty when I click for Mac. She is also a happier pup! I have much more confidence in working with my dogs now. I still need to practice and get better with timing for clicking and treating and shaping behaviors that I want, and would like more examples and demos and practice with what is possible. Intellectually understanding how to shape behavior with rewards (I teach it my psych classes!) is one thing, but getting the coordination and actually doing it is an exciting new adventure. Thanks again for your excellent program!"
- Greyhound Only class graduates Ilenya Marrin with Mac
"Devene has the knack of
drawing in her clients with her fun personality and making the class
feel like a bonded and cohesive little family. Everyone is sad when
her class sessions comes to an end."
- Puppy Class graduates Kristi Nickel with Jordie
"I really enjoyed
the entire class. Devene is very knowledgeable and made the class very
interesting to attend. I could have asked her a ton of questions that I know
she would have helped me with, however we only had so much time! I am hoping to
sign Gibbs up for the advanced class if it fits with my schedule. Thanks again
for offering such a wonderful experience for me and my puppy!"
- Puppy Class graduates Lori Bean with Gibbs
"Devene
was excellent listening to what difficulties I was having and
providing suggestions that would work for Nyah. Devene
was a wonderful instructor and the volunteers were very
helpful. I greatly appreciated everyone's advice, time, and
concern for Nyah. I hope that we are able to make gains with
our training so that she grows into a well-mannered dog inorder
to participate in pet therapy and agility trials. I would
recommend the puppy class to anyone and wish Nyah and I would
have been able to take the intermediate class with Devene as
well, however, with a hour and a half drive and daycare ending
at 6:30 we had to take a Saturday class."
- Puppy Class graduates
Jennifer Kunst with
Nyah
"I
thought the program was wonderful and my dog is now a social
butterfly rather than the wallflower she was. Thanks
sooooooooooo much"
- Intermediate Class graduates
Mary Lucy with Corky
"I
found the class very helpful in teaching me and Chewie training
techniques. Devene did an excellent job and in addition, was
very personable making the class even more enjoyable."
-
Intermediate Class graduates Laura Grandon with Chewie
"Trainer’s
Academy is very well organized and structured so that one skill
builds upon another. The trainers were great listeners and were
very helpful with each problem. Our dog presented some unique
issues and we were very concerned. They helped us work through
things and taught us ways to work through the issues. They
showed compassion for each dog and wanted the training to be
successful."
- Puppy & Intermediate Class graduates Nancy Gorga
with Lucy
"Devene was especially helpful with our housebreaking
challenge. She called me a couple of times and just her
concern and reinforcement helped so much. It was her
encouragement of getting Sophie checked again for the
UTI that really helped. She told us to make sure we rule out
any physical reasons that Sophie was doing what she was
doing. Poor Sophie had suffered an additional 3 weeks with
this. In spite of the vet telling us she was fine earlier, we
had her checked again. Lo and behold the results showed a UTI
with a very neg. PH that resulted in burning for her and her
necessity to relieve that burning every time she felt it. The
meds are working! Devene, we ALL thank you SO much---we've all
stopped 'suffering'.
Thanks to the entire staff."
- Linda and Mark Mathews with Sophie
"Over
the years I have owned several dogs and have been to different
puppy classes. Trainers Academy has been the best puppy class I
have ever been to....by far. The things that you expose the
puppies to, like the barrel obstacles, really teach them self
confidence in unfamiliar situations. I couldn't have been more
impressed. Devene was wonderful and my puppy really liked her!"
- Renee Kirkpatrick with Oliver
"Thank you. Your thorough planning, teaching, and
communicating the class lessons by email was extremely
helpful. We can't believe how well Casey's behavior is now.
We didn't think six weeks could have changed her for the
better, so quickly! Thank you! We can tell that all of you
just love dogs and your jobs. This was a great experience and
we'll be taking the Advanced Class soon!"
- Grant Miller
with Casey
"Devene seems to genuinely enjoy
the dogs and has a fun sense of humor. She is patient with the
people."
- Karen Kulman with Ripley
"We chose to attend Farmington
Hills (Trainers Academy location) because Devene was teaching
and we had her for puppy class with our (now 2-year-old) Westie,
Quinn. She is excellent. We drove 120 miles round trip to attend
the program, which is wonderful."
- Mary Gaffney with Conor
"I jumped at the chance to get
into the Greyhounds-only class. It's
wonderful to see a groups of these dogs working and interacting.
Lucy spooks
easily and Devene spotted this immediately and showed me how to
work with
her."
- Nancy Sherman with Lucy
"Everyone is so positive - even the dogs! It has been a
pleasure."
-Anna Pietrzak with Lacey
"I don’t think words can
ever express how grateful I am that Trainer’s Academy, and
especially Devene, came into my life.
My story is lengthy, but very worth reading.
Last December I became a member of
GEM (Greythounds of Eastern Michigan) and made my home
available as a foster home.
Little did I know how much my life was about to change.
I was asked to take a greyhound for a week because his
foster family was taking a vacation.
I then found out, that because of his behavior, his
foster family had no intentions of taking him back after
vacation. Not a
big deal? Maybe
not for your typical foster, but Hardie wasn’t typical, nor
was the life he’d had thus far.
Hardie wasn’t quite 2 when he first came to GEM.
He was placed within 3 months of his arrival and 2
weeks later a brindle female was placed in that same home.
He stayed in that home about 4 ½ years with the last
18 months being miserable for him.
He and the brindle female, for reasons we’ll probably
never know, were banished to a garage with no real human
intervention. Those
18 months changed Hardie, and not in a good way.
He came back to GEM January 26, 2006 and stayed in a
few different foster homes and then was finally placed in my
home as a foster January 5, 2008.
That next day I took him to a Meet & Greet just to
see how he acted around other greyhounds.
I needed to see for myself if he was really as bad as I
had been told he was. Well,
words can’t describe the fear in his eyes and the defensive
behavior he had if another greyhound just made eye contact
with him. All I
can say is “thank God for muzzles” or there would have
been bloodshed. I
immediately wanted to get this boy help.
I began calling everywhere ... and I do mean
EVERYWHERE. I had
trainers tell me that Hardie couldn’t be helped without even
evaluating him. Well
that wasn’t good enough for me.
I’ve worked with other dogs that had issues and I
knew in my heart that I could help Hardie with the right
trainer. Trainer’s
Academy was the first training facility that was recommended
to me. When Lisa
returned my call and I told her Hardie’s story, she
recommended that he attend Devene’s “Greyhounds - ONLY”
class. There was
one beginning in 2 weeks and there was 1 opening left, so I
took it. That
first class Hardie had to be pulled through the door.
Just the sight of other greyhounds made him shake
uncontrollably. We
went through 2 of Devene’s 6 week courses with Hardie.
Devene and her “Greyhounds – ONLY” class has
changed his life. He
has learned to make right choices.
Now when he’s uncomfortable in a situation, he leaves
it instead of lashing out.
Last night I started my volunteer work with Trainer’s
Academy. Two
other GEM’s were going to be in the class so we decided to
car pool. Everyone
was to meet at my house.
When Helen arrived with her greyhound Dollar, we
decided to see how Hardie would react to Dollar through the
fence. He was
excited to see Dollar, even did a half hearted play bow,
jumped in the air, barked, tail wagging, as if to say “come
play with me”. That
is a total “about face” from where he was 4 ½ months ago.
May 10, I decided I didn’t want
Hardie to ever leave my home and I signed the papers to adopt
him. Because of
Trainer’s Academy and Devene, Hardie has gone from being a
scared, defensive greyhound, into a loving, happy, and
sociable greyhound. Thank
you Devene for saving this sweet boy!!"
Sarah Williams
Hardie (Thanks Devene for believing in me - slurp, slurp!!)
Greyhound-Only Grads