About Us

Since I was a child growing up on Air Force bases in Canada

and Europe with my parents and brother, I have had a

serious love for animals.

My dad was known for bringing home animals that needed

help – the most unusual one was in France – he brought

home a baby Peregrine falcon that had fallen out of its nest.

We cared for him (his name was BUTCH) until he was ‘grown

up’ enough to go free.

On the bases in Europe, dogs were not allowed, so when we

were posted back to Canada in 1959 the first thing I wanted

was a dog. I’ve had dogs in my life ever since! 

Training each one was up to me because they were all ‘my dogs’.

Whether it is my beloved Staffords with whom I have shared

my life for over fifty years, or my second breed the

Doberman, I give everything I have to my dogs.

Training classes are a must are an excellent way to build a

rapport between yourself and your dog. They also give an

excellent opportunity for socialization which is so important

in a puppy's development.

Our dogs are not just involved in Conformation showing, but

also Agility work, Scent Detection and Rally for over 15 years.

I’m very excited to start the next journey – teaching Scenting classes!

Deb and her dogs have competed in Scent with both SDDA & CKC with titles up to excellent, obedience & rally with CKC & AKC with titles up to RM & CD (COVID suspended our open trials), and agility with AAC, CKC & AKC with basic titles & lots of zoomies. My Cardi Darragh & I have managed to get points in the conformation ring, but it was Linda who got her her Am/Can Championships. 

I’m much better at performance sports. 

Darragh finished her RATS and still plays in scent. Absolutely no conflict between that & scent detection BTW. I’ve taught rally in the past and scent detection for the past few years. I’ve chaired obedience trials & rally matches for CKC & scent detection for CKC & SDDA & organized K9Kup for 6 

years as well as working as ring crew for obedience, rally, scent & agility. 

Things I’ve learned: 

1. Be kind to newbies. We were all new once & being snotty to new people may protect your closed “circle” in the short run, but it’s a good way to ensure the slow extinction of your chosen sport. This is true whether you are a competitor, judge or ring crew. Be patient. Everyone is doing the best they can. They do this because they like it. Don’t take that away from them. Be nice (& maybe even thankful). It takes a lot of work to put together a trial. Don’t be the reason they decide it’s not worth the agro. 

2. NQs are never wasted if you learn from them. They can help you shape your training regimen. 

3. Train the dog you have. Know your breed & how they think & work. All dogs can compete & title but don’t try to make them into something they’re not. Just because you aren’t HIT doesn’t mean you aren’t successful. You make your own triumphs. It doesn't matter how much experience you have, there is still value in taking your new dog to classes. New techniques are developed & your dog will profit from training in different locations (generalizing) as well as the socialization aspect of learning to work around other dogs. 

4. Volunteer if you really want to understand your sport. You get to see it from a different perspective when you aren’t the one under pressure in the ring & you get to learn from judges. 

A very valuable experience & one that helps to keep dog sports alive. 

Deb

Bio Coming Soon!