
Dottie with Schatzie

Dottie with Clue

Dottie with Katie

Dottie with Nellie

Jake
(Photo by Tien Tran)

Sooner
(Photo by Tien Tran)

Layla
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My
love of dogs and animals goes back as far as I can remember. When I was
young I would tell people that I wanted to be a lady veterinarian
doctor. My parents were always concerned that the practice would be
extremely limited! Besides when I got in college I hated chemistry!
My first dog and I graduated form the University of Florida
with a
Masters in Education. We moved to Philadelphia and then on to
Syracuse. Tasha, my toy poodle, went
everywhere with me. She helped me
make friends and was the first dog I titled in AKC obedience.
She
started obedience school when she was over 7, proving old dogs can
still learn.
I bought my first Bearded Collie pup as a gift for my
soon-to-be husband in 1979. I started classes with the Syracuse
Obedience Training Club in 1980 because this dog had no
manners
and I was now pregnant and overwhelmed. I was told in her second class
that she would never amount to anything and that was all the
challenge I needed. Schatzie went on to get both
her American
and
Canadian CD and CDX titles.
By now I was hooked on Bearded Collies and Obedience and so became an
active member and instructor at the Syracuse Obedience Training Club.
During the 80's I started attending every seminar and workshop that was
available on dog obedience. During the day I was the director of a
large downtown day care center. I learned a lot about people
and
teaching both from the families and their children and the dog classes.
As time went on I started teaching basic and intermediate obedience
classes for the Town of Manlius Recreation Department. I did
this
for at least 8 years. Two more Bearded Collies joined our family and I
learned more while working and training these wonderful dogs.
I
started herding with Clue and there was
talk of the AKC adding
agility to their performance events.
I attended more seminars and workshops. Soon I was offering agility
classes and having so much fun. My private classes were growing in
popularity and I was also beginning to work for Rhoda Lerman and Blue
Haven Newfoundlands, training some of the younger dogs. Now it only
seemed logical to learn about water rescue and draft work.
While working for Rhoda I was allowed to share in the
life of
a very special dog, Ch Blue Heaven's Catherine the Great. I
learned how to do obedience with giant dogs. Katie
and I earned a
Companion Dog title with placements, Water Dog, Water Rescue Dog, and a
Draft Dog title to become the first Versatile Newf at the Blue Haven
Kennel. She also passed her Therapy Dog International test. Katie's
life on earth recently ended but she will always have a permanent spot
in my heart.
These experiences gave me the confidence to know I had become a
professional dog trainer and that I could do this full time. My family
and personal life mandated that I find full time employment.
Why
not turn this hobby I love into a business? Thus Dottie's Dog School.
I have
had the
privilege of training and
titling several different breeds of dogs. This has enhanced
my
experience and knowledge as
an Instructor and trainer.
Tasha
(Toy
Poodle)
- Mi Tasha Am/Can CD
Schatzie (Bearded Collie)
- Glen Eire
Schatzie O'Hare Am CD/Can CDX
Clue
(Bearded
Collie) - Am/Can
CH Arcadia's Clue Of Walkoway Am/Can CDX, HT
Misty
(Cairn Terrier) - Star of local theatre, including many
performances as "Sandy" in Annie
Daisy
(Newfoundland) - Daisy CD
Katie
(Newfoundland)
- CH
Blue Heaven's Catherine the Great CD, WRD, DD, TDI, VN
Nellie (Bearded Collie) - Walkoway Happy
Talk UD, OA, OAJ
Claire (Petit Bassett Griffon Vandeen) - Lil Eclaire NA; first PBGV to title in
Rally
Jake (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) - Sweet Royal Jake CDX, RE, OA, OAJ, PT
Sooner (Cardigan Welsh Corgi) - Richelu
Xtacee Moonstone CDX, ASCA CDX, RAE, AX, AXJ, NPJ;
first Cardigan RAE
Layla (Bearded
Collie) - CH Ragtyme
If Thats What it
Takes RA
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