Instructors

My interest in dog training began in the 1960's. My Neighbors gave me lessons in conformation handling and exposed me to the world of dog shows. I was thrilled when allowed to handle my neighbor's Champion Russian Wolfhound in Junior Showmanship Competitions. I enjoyed entering the show ring with Borzois, Irish Wolfhounds and Afghan Hounds. At that time I also participated in 4-H dog obedience with my mixed breed dog.

After graduating from the Indiana University School of Nursing in 1978, my first purchase was a Sheltie pup that I trained. We entered obedience competitions and we earned an AKC Companion Dog title. Over the next ten years (while raising 4 children) my husband and I also enjoyed a Labrador. Also, I raised two Collies once again earning the CD title, a Canine Good Citizen title and a Registered Therapy Dog Certification.

It was in the mid 1990's I discovered agility and was quickly hooked. I began competitive dog agility in 2000 with my two Collies and each earned five agility titles along with many blue ribbons.

In 2003 I completed a Purdue University program of study focusing on dog behavior problems and the resulting treatments. The Purdue program helped to prepare me in assisting dog owners with their specific dog behavioral issues. Also in 2003 I attended Bud Houston’s Camp Dogwood Instructor’s camp in Oslander, Ohio and I became certified through his program to teach beginning through advanced levels of agility. I have continued my agility training education by attending seminars and by reading and studying a wide variety of training literature. Life experiences have helped me prepare for teaching. In the 1970's I was a swim team coach, swimming teacher, and Red Cross Water Safety Instructor for the Indianapolis Dept of Parks and Recreation. In addition, I am a Registered Nurse and had previously worked as a childbirth educator for seven years. I also taught art classes while my children attended grade school.

In 2002 I began teaching dog training classes when there was an interest and a need in my area for an agility instructor. Currently I compete in AKC and USDAA agility with my Border collie "Zina". In 2008 Zina and I earned the AKC "Master Agility Champion" title and Qualified to compete in the 2008 AKC National Agility Championship in Tulsa Oaklahoma. At Pawsitive Energy I teach puppy and Agility classes using positive reinforcement.

I currently reside with an Australian Shepherd (Amelia), 2 Shetland Sheep Dogs (Bree & Chaos) and a very active Border Collie (Jeanie).

My daughter and I started training and competing in Dog Agility 9 years ago with Bree. It didn’t take long to realize that training Agility and becoming a team partner is the most fun thing in the world that you can do with your dog! I have been training and competing since 2000.

The thing I love most about this sport is the connection that develops with your dog and that the challenges and skills are always evolving as much (maybe more so) for the handler as the canine partner. For me, the competition is more about raising your personal goals for yourself more than winning or beating someone else.

Because of my love for dogs and training them, I have participated in many seminars and private and group lessons from trainers of various backgrounds. I have also completed the DOGS! course through Purdue University, which is an intensive study of principles and techniques of Canine Behavior Modification. My main role at Pawsitive Energy is that of partner, bookkeeper, training assistant and occasionally teacher.

My favorite Agility quote and philosophy is from Your Secret Coach by Christine Smith. "Perhaps we are just running round a field with our dogs, but this strange leisure activity can be far more than that. If you allow it, agility can be a way of giving expression to the skills, passions, and unique potential held within you. It can enhance your confidence, help you discover your own exceptional talents, and provide you with endless fun and laughter. But best of all, it grants you the rare privilege of forging a very special bond with a member of another species."

Welcome, I teach the Beginning and Intermediate Obedience classes for Pawsitive Energy. I live in North Vernon on my farm with five children, two Airedale Terriers and a Jack Russell. Dogs cooperate eagerly when properly motivated through reward training. My terriers are smart, tuff dogs who, like other dogs, respond with enthusiasm to positive reinforcement. My path in dog training has moved past the older, traditional harsh methods of dog training to modern methods where training becomes fun for dog and handler.

I also am a 4-H judge and dog leader. I am a CPDT #6194, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and Training Director for the Kennel Club of Columbus, Indiana. You can learn more about me at my website www.sitcanhappen.com.

My first formal experience with dog training was in November of 2002 when I enrolled in an obedience class with my All-American dog at Pawsitive Energy. The class taught by Ruth Goode helped to create a special bond between my dog and me since it gave us a new opportunity to work, play, and share a system of communication in a new way. Little did I know then that I would become hooked on learning how to train my dog and eventually would train other people how to most effectively and humanely train their own dogs. To facilitate my learning about my new-found hobby I soon began attending training camps and seminars by some of the most respected agility instructors in the Midwest, and the South, as well as Ontario, Canada. I have received agility instruction via camps and seminars under noted presenters and World team agility members such as Stuart and Pati Mah, Susan Garrett, Linda Mecklenburg, Greg Derrett, Jennifer Crank, Ann Braue, Wendy Pape, and Dana Pike. I soon realized to effectively work with dogs, a teacher must also understand how to read dogs based upon their body language and how to provide strategies when a person has a shy or fearful dog. In order to become a better teacher in these areas, I have attended behavior seminars by world-renowned dog behaviorists such as Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell, Suzanne Clothier, Cesar Milan, and Ray Coppinger.

In 2002, I attended Purdue University’s DOGS course, and Battle Ground, Indiana’s Dog and Wolf camp. Both camps provided an extensive study in dog behavior and hands-on opportunities to work with problem dogs as well as how to provide a treatment plan for issues such as separation anxiety and dog/people aggression.

I am a high school teacher by profession, so I have an understanding of how individuals learn and how subjects should be taught. At Pawsitive Energy we believe in teaching a strong handling foundation that is not only logical but sequentially based so that dogs and their owners are not overwhelmed and so that they do not miss important training steps.

Presently I compete with my three dogs in AKC, CPE, and USDAA. My dogs have earned over 30 titles in competition. I have found agility training and running an agility course is such a fun sport for us.