Meet your spca training team

Meet Your SPCA Pet Behavior Specialist

SPCA Pet Behavior Specialist Amanda Mouisset is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She has been with the SPCA for Monterey County for seven years and manages SPCA pet training classes, private consultations, behavior helpline calls, and our Take the Lead Program that pairs at-risk youth with untrained shelter dogs. Amanda also oversees amazing and dedicated SPCA volunteers who provide training and fun enrichment activities for shelter pets while they await their new homes.

The SPCA believes in positive reinforcement to help strengthen the bond between people and pets. We also believe in making training enjoyable for the owner and pet so that both will be engaged, excited, and grow as a team.  We believe training can be hard work but the payoff is a lifelong happy home.  We provide all the tools and encouragement to help owners reach that point with their pets.

More About Amanda

I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters who are great pet trainers themselves.  We share our home with four dogs. Bella is our seven year old Labrador, who believes there is a ball hidden around every corner. Janie is our six year old Pit Bull, who will sit on the couch while Bella looks for the ball. Stella, our foster who has found her home with us, is a five year old Pit Bull resued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels.  Bowie, our newest addition, is a one year old Catahoula hound dog.  He has helped me remember what joy a puppy can bring into your life (and like all puppies, he provides a constant reminder to pick up after myself).  Last but never least, Rocky is our 11 year old Maine Coon mix cat.  He watches over all of us and keeps ALL of the dogs in line at all times.

I invite you to learn more about our wide variety of training classes for pets and people. Please contact me anytime to learn more about our training program.

Wendi Newman, Assistant Pet Trainer

I joined the SPCA for Monterey County in 2010, and teach Puppy I, Puppy II, Family Dog and Rally Obedience classes. Our philosophy is to train with love and compassion, imparting in our students basic training skills, and the ability to solve simple training problems at home. Each animal has their own story, and it's our job to help the owner connect to their dog in a meaningful, kind way. I love dogs, and I am always amazed at their intelligence, adaptability, and sensitivity to humans.

Growing up in Los Angeles, my childhood home was filled with cats, dogs, birds and an assortment of miscellaneous species. My father and I rode often and I took many horsemanship classes, whose lessons readily spilled over to my dogs at home.

Professionally I spent nineteen years working in the entertainment field in Southern California. Attaining a bachelor's degree in 1999, I worked for NASA as a contract researcher and cartographer, and later as a science tech for CSUMB.  In 2009 I participated in Marin Humane Society’s Canine Behavior Academy with nationally known trainer, Trish King.  In 2010, I completed the Academy with a Level II certification.  I have attended seminars with Suzanne Clothier, Patricia McConnell, Brenda Aloff, Susan Garrett, and many others.  I am a professional member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). In my spare time you'll find me reading and updating myself on new training methods and behavior science.