Deanna Adams -

Agility classes run for 8 weeks and classes are ongoing throughout the year. Classes are held in Apple Valley and times vary depending on the weather and daylight available. Usually agility classes are held on weekdays as I am often away at trials or seminars on the weekends.

Agility classes are offered through Paw Prints Dog Club and the cost for an 8 week session is $75. Paw Prints members receive a discount on classes.

To start a dog in novice or beginners agility, they must have some basic obedience skills such as sit, down, stay and most important, come. A great recall is very important in agility training as a lot of work is done off leash. Your dog must want to be with you and play with you in order to make training fun and possible. Dogs starting in agility need to be at least 12 months old ( 14 months for large breeds) in order to insure that their growth plates are closed and they can safely jump and climb the obstacles. I do occasionally offer puppy agility classes when there are enough people with puppies interested. These puppy classes focus more on flat work and foundation building for later agility training with some introduction on low safe obstacles. In order to have your dog in class they must be current on all vaccines including rabies. Proof of vaccines or vet approved excempttion need to be shown the first week of class.

I began agility with my own dogs in Northern California in 1995 with the help and encouragement of my first trainer, Myra Fourwinds. In 1996 I continued training back in Southern California with Pat Charlton. Over the years I have taken many training seminars and attended several agility camps in my pursuit of new ideas and techniques for agility training. I believe that good instructors are always learning and as students themselves, can help the handlers in their classes become better trainers. In 2002 I was able to travel to England to attend a real British Agility trail. I was able to see Greg Derritt run his dogs, Jaycee and Fern and also ran into Jo and Iain Fraser who took me under their wing and showed me a great time at the show. Jo let me run her dog, Madoc in a class called senior jumpers and Madoc and I came away with a clear round (clean run) ribbon.

My first agility dog, Kala, an All-American (now 10) had to retire early from her agility career but before she did she earned her Novice and Open titles in NADAC's Regular and Jumpers classes. Kala also earned her Novice Gamblers title and needed one more leg for open Gamblers. Although retired from competition, she still enjoys playing over low jumps and slamming the teeter down! Because Kala was my first agility dog, I made lots of mistakes in her training and yet she still wanted to play the game with me and hung in there while I figured out what I was doing wrong. She taught me patience!

My second dog is another All-American named Jacob (now 7). Jacob has earned his Novice, Open and Elite titles in NADAC and we are now spending our trails weekends at USDAA events working on our MAD ( Masters Agility Dog). Jake is termed a Velcro dog because he prefers to work very close to me. He is just one Gamble leg away from his MAD title having worked his way through Novice and Advanced in under a year. Now competing at the Masters level, Jacob has earned 4 Master Standard legs, 3 Master Jumpers legs, 2 Masters Pairs legs ( thank you Sutter and Streak!) and 7 Master Snooker legs! Jake is an awesome dog who, without agility, would go insane with energy. Training him has taught me so many things including the importance of play!

I am currently training my next dog, a 1 year old Boxer named Ronin. Ro is brave and willing and loves to play tug. Being that he is a Boxer, his mind will be young for quite a while after his body is grown up. So for now we are learning how to do front, rear, and blind crosses on the flat as well as concentrate on learning what our job will be on contact obstacles even though we're not doing the whole obstacle. Teaching a young dog that I am the best thing out on course to play with is important and so Ro gets to be surprised everytime I pull tug toys and Frisbees from my pockets. He's also learning how to do moves like around and through to position himself on different sides of me. Ready, steady, Go is another of his favorite games. Ronin gets to be the recipient of all the things that Jacob and Kala taught me about agility. I hope he knows how lucky he is!

If you would like more information on agility classes feel free to contact me by e-mail at Deanna@pawprintsdogclub.com.

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Gail Kahles

I'm the instructor for Beginner level Agility. For general details on the classes, please see the first few paragraphs under Deanna Adams' biography. I also teach the Reactive Dog class, which is a behavior modification program for dogs that react aggressively toward other dogs.

I have been involved with dogs since 1969 and have achieved titles in Agility, Conformation, Obedience, and Tracking. Many years ago, one of my dogs and I had the honor of being the recipients of Dog World Magazine's "Dog of Distinction" award for obedience. He was the highest scoring Obedience English Cocker in America.

I currently have two Corgis, Hobbit and Mandy. Hobbit is two years old and still has lots to learn about Agility. He has tons of speed, focus and drive and is exceptionally fun to play with. He also is a total sweetie hanging out at home. I call him my little marshmallow. Hobbit also has dog aggression issues and has become the greatest doggie teacher I've ever had. I've learned more from him than all the dogs that came before. Thanks, little man!

Mandy is eight years old. She was a certified therapy dog for four years and also has many Agility titles. A few years ago she was knocked unconscious during an Agility run when her head hit the side of one of the jumps. She unfortunately has been afraid to compete ever since, but she still has a grand time playing with her friends and hunting bugs, birds, squirrels, and lizards!

I must mention my consummate Agility dog, Ripken, who recently passed unexpectedly at eight years old. Ripken taught me a lot about Agility and he absolutely lived for the atmosphere of trials. He was very fun and easy to run, being very fast and focused on course. He had many advanced titles and dozens of first place awards. More than all that though, he was my heart dog and soul mate who is now running Agility in heaven and sleeping with the angels.

It has been so much fun playing Agility with my Corgis! While competition is immensely enjoyable, the connection with my dog while we run is much more thrilling than any ribbon or outward recognition. I try to instill this fun-loving attitude into my students, and it is tremendously gratifying to see them and their dogs blossom as they learn the Agility game!

I train and teach using positive methods and am constantly striving towards a greater understanding and deeper communication with my dogs. Aside from all the activities and accomplishments, I believe the greatest pleasure lies in the relationship. I try to help my students embrace this concept as well, for nothing in the world of canines will enrich them more than the bond they share with their dogs.

"To step into a dog's mind requires that you step into his paws and see the world through his eyes. To understand his prayers you must look for what lights his entire being with joy, and look also for what dims that light." from Bones would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier

If you would like more information on agility or reactive dog classes feel free to contact me by e-mail at Gail@pawprintsdogclub.com.

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Charlie Brugnola - Good Dog Training

Too many dog owners have been told by experts (Vets, trainers, animal behaviorist) that there is no hope for their out of control pet. With all due respect to these experts, this information is inaccurate. I strongly believe there is no such thing as a "bad" dog. What many people label as "bad" is nothing more than an underlying behavior/drive/instinct that many fail to recognize. In some cases owners are even advised to put their beloved pets "down", because the dog is labeled dangerous, unpredictable, or unstable.

I specialize in serious behavior problems, fear biting, aggression, anxieties, phobias, hyperactivity, dominant/submissive issues, etc.. "I can train any dog" because I have an extreme compassion and respect for ALL dogs.

My enjoyment is training your dog, my challenge is training you, the owner. I have a 100% success rate with all of the dogs I have trained. My success rate with owners is about 95%. If you are willing and able to follow my guidelines you will succeed.

My dog training philosophy is simple. Treat all dogs with respect while guiding them to a successful bonding relationship. This is done with patience, understanding, hands on massage, and a benevolent loving persuasive approach. I strictly adhere to Delta Society's "Professional Standards for Dog Trainers: Effective, Humane Principles".

Biography

Over 30 years working with dogs.

I participated in the first experimental "Patrol Dog" class for the United States Air Force. The program was deemed a success and all of the militaries eventually changed over to this concept.I retrained "Sentry Dogs" at Clark Air Base, Philippines, taking them to a higher standard of deployment. During my time in the military I was exposed to numerous training techniques both civilian and military.

I started the first K-9 Unit (police dogs) for the Hawthorne Police Department. This program was such a huge success that it doubled in size and is still in existence to this day. During those 6 years I trained under a variety of methods throughout the State of California. Due to this exposure I acquired exceptional problem solving skills.

I have an ever increasing personal library of over 50 books, and numerous videos, that I have studied throughout the years concerning various concepts and disciplines in dog training.

I have been involved with therapy dog work for the past 6 years visiting a variety of facilities in the High Desert, Los Angeles area, and New York City shortly after the 911 tragedy.I am a Delta Society Registered Team Member, in the last 6 years having trained registered and worked 7 dogs.I am also a Delta Society Licensed Team Evaluator, in the last 4 years having evaluated over 90 dog teams, and 1 rabbitTeam.

Charlie Brugnola 760 952-2416 or Charlie@pawprintsdogclub.com

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Hazelbaker Dog Training

Trainer: Kristine A. Hazelbaker "Kris"
Assistant Trainers: "Jet" and "Anni" Black Labs

My dog training career started as a hobby in 1987 with my sheltie puppy named Muffin. I adored Muffin and wanted to do something fun with her. My parents agreed to let me enroll Muffin in a basic obedience class where I learned the basics of dog training. Muffin excelled in the class not because of my ability as a trainer but because of her desire to please and her willingness to learn. After graduating from my first obedience class with Muffin my parents gave me the opportunity to go on and take privates with Terry Denny-Coombs and later with Nancy Lund. Both of these ladies taught me a lot about dog training. With encouragement from Nancy I entered Muffin in a few obedience trials. To my great dismay, she always broke either her sit or her down stay.

I enjoyed training so much that I desired to use my hobby to help others by raising guide dog puppies for the blind. My parents weren't as excited about the idea as I was but agreed to allow me to raise one dog for the blind. So in early 1994 Lizbeth a twelve week old yellow Labrador female puppy from Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) came to live with us. Raising a guide for the blind is a very time consuming and rewarding project. Lizbeth became part of the family literally, she went everywhere with us, the super market, the mall, out to dinner, Disneyland, and even on the plane when we flew to GDB for the Puppy Raising Fun Day. My whole family was hooked on raising dogs for the blind so my parents allowed me to continue. Since then I have raised six dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind and two dogs for Guide Dogs of the Desert.

In 1995 because of my enthusiasm and participation in the puppy raising program the puppy raising department at GDB asked me to become a certified puppy raising leader and to start a group on the High Desert. I said yes and asked my mom if she would be interested in co-leading a group with me. She also said yes and we were flown to the campus in San Rafael for leadership training. The same year I applied for a summer intern position in the training department at GDB. My application was chosen out of over 200 applications. I was asked to return the following year. The summer internship gave me the opportunity to work directly with the trainers at GDB. I was allowed to participate in the harness training of a few dogs including "Lizbeth" who was in the kennel training at the time. I was also able to go under blindfold with several dogs in harness.

I started training professionally in 1997 for Petsmart where I taught Puppy, Basic and Private classes. Since then I have also worked as a groomer, in-kennel trainer, and kennel manager. In 2000 I opened Hazelbaker Dog Trainer in Upland where I taught Puppy Preschool classes and Basic classes for dog owners through a local groom shop. I also volunteered my services helping the local animal shelter train dogs for adoption . Every dog we pulled from the humane society to train was adopted almost immediately. In 2002 I relocated Hazelbaker Dog Training to the High Desert and started teaching classes at Mesa Veterinary Care Center, and Lime St Park in Hesperia.

Training Philosphy: In order to have a healthy working relationship with your dog you must assume the top dog or alpha position over your dogs in your pack (your family including all pets is your pack). Through good leadership skills, good communication, and lots of positive reinforcement you can train your dogs to be well socialized, well mannered members of your household. These skills are emphasized and are taught in all my classes and seminars.

Keith Williams

My philosophy on dog training is that each owner/family will have different training needs and/or goals with their dog. Therefore those needs/goals must be considered in the training to build a better relationship between dog and owner(s), and attain a reliable companion dog.