CANINE & EQUINE BEHAVIOR EXPERT WITNESS
When a legal matter involves animal behavior, a clear understanding of the conduct and likely responses of each animal is critical. Bernadette Pflug, CPDT, provides objective attorney consultation and expert witness services in matters involving dog behavior, horse behavior and dog / horse interactives associated with personal injury or property damage claims.
Bernadette brings more than twenty years of professional experience evaluating, training, and rehabilitating dogs, along with nearly a decade as an Operational Search & Rescue Handler. In addition, Bernadette is a lifelong horsewoman with extensive experience as a nationally competitive equestrian. Her combination of expertise delivers clear, articulate, and scientifically grounded insights that helps judges and juries understand not only how a dog would react in a situation, but also how a horse would reasonably be expected to respond.
Areas of Consultation
Dog bite & attack incidents
Dog / Horse interactions involving rider injury or property damage
Off-leash, at-large, and pack incidents
Dog-related personal injury claims
Canine aggression, reactivity, and prey-related behavior
Pack behavior and multi-dog incidents
Animal control and public safety matters
Standards of canine handling, containment, training, and behavior practices
Expert and Consulting Services
- Consultation regarding behavioral issues presented by the matter
- Evidence Photo and video analysis
- Review of witness statements, incident reports, veterinary records, and training histories
- Written expert opinions and reports
- Rebuttal analysis and reports
- Deposition preparation and testimony
- Trial testimony
Opinions are developed from available evidence, relevant principles of animal behavior, and Bernadette’s professional training and experience. Her role is to provide careful, independent behavioral analysis rather than advocacy for either party.
Professional Qualifications
Bernadette’s background includes:
- Founder and Head Trainer of BlackPaw Dog Training
- 20+ years of professional dog training and behavior experience
- Nationally competitive equestrian with extensive experience training, handling, riding, and competing with horses.
- Contributor to Equus magazine on barn-dog training and dog / horse interactions
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
- Nearly a decade of Search & Rescue canine training and handling experience
- Featured canine behavior expert on Animal Planet, KUSA Denver, Dog Fancy Magazine and the Denver Post
- Experience evaluating companion dogs, working dogs, and dogs presenting significant behavioral concerns
The CPDT-KA is an independently administered professional certification requiring qualifying experience (minimum 300 hours teaching group classes,) written examination, references from a veterinarian, another trainer, and a client, adherence to professional standards, and continuing education.
A full curriculum vitae, fee schedule, and additional information are available upon request.
How the Consultation Process Works
After a preliminary conflict check, Bernadette can discuss whether the matter falls within her expertise, the anticipated scope of work, applicable deadlines and the material available for review. An engagement begins only after the scope and written terms have been agreed upon.
An engagement may include:
- An initial conflict check and discussion of the case
- Review of relevant records, photographs, video, testimony, and animal training histories.
- Consultation with counsel regarding the available evidence
- Preparation of written opinions or reports
- Deposition of trial testimony
Secure a Dog Behavior Expert Witness for Your Case
If you are representing a client in a matter involving canine behavior, equine behavior, or dog–horse interactions, I welcome the opportunity to discuss your case and determine whether my expertise may be of assistance.Â