Competition/Titles Update
We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience and Tracking, including the second and third dogs to earn the new AKC Agility Grand Championship!
AGILITY
Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) – Two more All-Americans have earned this prestigious new title!
AGCH MACH12 Moses Raphael York UD BN GN GO RAE4 MXG3 PDS MJS4 PJS MFG TQX T2B8 CGCA CGCU TKA owned by Jordan Patrick York of Evansville, IN
Moses is an 8-year-old Border Collie-Lab mix who started as Jordan’s Novice A dog in 2012. They began with a few puppy classes and beginners’ manners classes to help house train Moses. The trainer asked Jordan if he had ever thought about agility. He had never heard of the sport and when he researched it, he did not think that his small city could offer it. But they quickly found a Rally class and, the rest is history.
Moses has earned numerous titles in Rally, Obedience, Agility and Trick Dog. “I knew that when I first read of the AGCH, it was something that I wanted our team to strive for,” he said. And on April 1, 2018 in Dayton, OH, Moses finished the requirements with a FAST Q. Jordan and Moses have celebrated at many different agility trials with many different friends. Moses is on his way to his third consecutive AKC Agility Invitational this year in Orlando as the #2 All-American and working on his MACH 14. “I have certainly been spoiled with the best Novice A dog anyone could ask for!”
Moses
AGCH MACH11 Lanakila Doin It by Example MXG3 PDS MJC3 PJS MFG TQX T2B8 owned by Caroline A. King of Sanger, TX
An owner-release to a local shelter, Kai has become “my little agility super star,” Caroline says. “He is a Poodle mix with an attitude of ‘Life is a game; let’s play.’ Kai, you rock my world and I so proud to be part of this team.” In addition to the AGCH, Kai has earned 11 Master Agility Championships and has earned several invites to the AKC Agility Invitational. He earned the AGCH on April 6, 2018.
Master Agility Championships (MACH)
Multiple Master Agility Champions
Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more MACHs:
- MACH2 Kensington Grace MXG MJC MFB TQX T2B CGC owned by Grace Swearingen of Colonial Heights, VA
- MACH2 Miss Sophie MXS MJG MXF owned by Marti Caroline Conrad of Naples, FL
- Cabonina La Saltadora MXC3 MJC3 owned by Jason and Melissa Meier of Germantown, WI
- MACH2 Sophie V MXG MJG MXF T2B4 owned by Lauren and Kenneth Kadrich of Alpena, MI
- MACH3 Ever MXG MJB2 XF T2B3 owned by Kyle Teresa Miles of Tell City, IN
- MACH5 Zinfandel Hackman MXB2 MJS2 XF T2B6 owned by Betsy and Gene Hackman of Santa Fe, NM
- MACH5 Missy XIII MXS2 MJS2 NF T2B3 owned by JEANETTE IVIE Jeanette Ivie of Newbury Park, CA
- MACH4 Olive Hawkins MXC MJS2 XF T2B4 CGC owned by Stefanie and Craig Hawkins of Florence, KY
Congratulations to these new first-time MACHs:
MACH My Adrenaline Rush MXS MJB MFB T2B2 owned by Kimberly Barton of Johnstown, OH
Epi earned her MACH on April 22, 2018, at the Parkersburg Obedience Training Club’s trial in Zanesville, Ohio. She is a rescue dog who was found wandering the streets of Columbus, Ohio, when she was about 7 months old. A friend of Kimberly saw her on the rescue’s website and contacted her, knowing she was looking for her next teammate. “Epi became part of the family instantly,” Kimberly said. “We have worked through many issues but are starting to come together as a real team. She is one high-energy dog and the most loving dog all in one.” Epi will be 5 years old in September. “She has really taught me a whole new side of agility since my first agility partner was a small dog who jumped 8 inches. I don’t know who is the luckier one, Epi or me.”
Epi
MACH Jakku’s Cosmic Force Awakening MXB MJB XF TKI owned by Kara Sheerer of Brookville, OH
Cosmic finished his MACH on May 6, 2018, at the Greater Cincinnati Golden Retriever Club trial. He is a 3-year-old rescue dog who came from 2×2 Rescue after being found as a stray.
Cosmic
MACH Nostroveya’s Gemma MXS MJS XF T2B2 owned by Sharen Hyde of Crystal River, FL
Gemma is a 5-year-old former “pound puppy.” One afternoon an urgent email was sent out by the Irving Animal Shelter in Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth area rescue groups. The shelter was overflowing with more dogs coming in and rescue groups’ help was urgently needed. Sharen had a foster spot open so she scanned through the shelter photos. She spotted a 5-month-old Border Collie mix and called to let the shelter know Homeward Bound would take her. Once Sharen got her home, she couldn’t help but notice how attentive she was, how light she was on her feet, her high ball drive, and desire to tug. While Sharen wasn’t looking for another agility partner, this puppy was exactly what she would want. By the end of the morning she had to concede “foster failure.” She named the puppy “Gemma” and enrolled her in the upcoming puppy agility class.
Gemma did not disappoint. She loved her classes and was pronounced ready for competition after training for a little over a year. They entered their first AKC trial in spring 2015. Gemma advanced quickly, moving up to Masters level in mostly straight trials. “Gemma achieved her MACH on April 22, 2018, at the Mid Florida Golden Retriever Club trial despite my many handling mistakes over the trial weekend,” Sharen said. “My little shelter puppy had gone from unwanted to undaunted!”
“Gemma and I would like to thank our instructor Debbie Spence of PAWS Agility Working School and AKC Canine Partners for the opportunities it offers to all dogs and their handlers to succeed.”
Gemma
MACH Tally She Ain’t No Hoe MXB MJC T2B owned by Lisa Putnam of Saint Paul, MN
Tally came from humble beginnings. She was discovered seeking shelter in an abandoned dog house in South Dakota not far from a reservation. She had a limp in her rear leg that often didn’t touch the ground. She found her way to Minnesota through German Shepherd rescue. Lisa was just going to foster her, but she blended well with her existing pack. “Soon she won over my heart, and I purchased her from the rescue. Yes, I’m a proud foster failure,” Lisa said.
Tally loves taking insoles out of shoes, chasing squirrels, and jumping into Lisa’s arms on command. Her first job was being a therapy dog. She was taught to give kisses on command and never passed up an opportunity to lick people.
She soon took up the family tradition of “bar hopping” and took off to agility class and competitions. “Tally’s massage therapist remarked that you’d never know that rear leg had been lame, and the chiropractor kept her in alignment as we finished the championship on Easter Sunday,” she said.
Tally
MACH Two Minutes for Ruffing MXB MJS NAP NJP XF TKN owned by Linda Arnold of Butler, PA
Brooks was adopted from a shelter in 2010 at 7 months old when he “picked” Linda during a visit. He was there because of a hardship surrender due to a family move. “His shelter name had a hockey theme so his call name is derived from a past scout and coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Olympic team, plus he looks like a penguin with his white chest,” she said.
He loved agility from day one and learned quickly. Since Linda had retired her last agility dog in 2007, she was rusty and it took time to get up to Brooks’ standards. They began competing in 2013, but in 2015, a bite from an unknown insect turned into a major systemic infection for Brooks. After six months of treatment, he recovered completely. Then, just when they could get back into competition in 2016, Linda suffered a broken ankle, losing another season. They resumed in 2017 and were fortunate to continue competing until they earned their first ever MACH title on June 3, 2018, at the Cleveland All Breed Agility Trial in Niles, OH.
“Many thanks to all my friends and fellow competitors for supporting our quest, especially my great instructor, friend and mentor Cindy Noland,” Linda added.
Brooks
MACH Wheatley MXB MJG T2B owned by Peggy Krause of Evergreen, CO
Friday the 13th was lucky for Wheatley because it’s the day she received her MACH title in April. “I’m not very good about keeping track of Wheatley’s double Q’s because we didn’t even know that we had gotten our MACH until it showed up in the mail!” Peggy said.
Wheatley is a 7 ½ years old terrier mix who loves treats, car rides, and showing off her athletic prowess (especially with giant leaps over the contact portion of the A-frame). “What Wheatley likes about agility: Jumps, jumps and more jumps, and the weave poles are fun too,” she said. “She is not too fond of the contact obstacles but every once in a while, we hit all our contacts in the same run, hence our new title.”
“Her first year is a mystery,” she said. “But Wheatley bounced around several homes in her search for a suitable owner who would enjoy her headstrong personality.” She ended up at a shelter. Peggy was looking for a Border Collie to train for agility, but “one look at Wheatley set me straight, and it’s been a match made in heaven.”
Wheatley lives with her “two sisters (a rescue Chihuahua and a 13-year-old Labrador Retriever) and a parrot who is always calling her name and asking her if she wants to go outside.” Her hobbies are chasing magpies, catching and eating flies, and agility.
This has been an exciting year for Wheatley and Peggy as they also competed at the AKC National Agility Championships for the first time. Peggy hopes to “play agility for many more years and let Wheatley act as a spokes-dog to let people know about all of the wonderful All-American dogs in shelters who are still waiting for someone to take them home and love them forever, and maybe even turn them into an agility champion!”
Wheatley
MACH Frankie Girl RAE MXS MJB OF CGCA TKN owned by Kit Young of Camano Island, WA
Frankie was abandoned as a young puppy. After a short stay in a foster home, she hitched a ride with Pilots N Paws, making her way to Camano Animal Shelter, (CASA), on Camano Island in WA state. That is where Kit and her husband John found her.
Shortly after adopting her, Frankie was enrolled in a puppy obedience class, and earned her CGC before she was 5 months old. Since she was too young to start agility, they tested the waters in Rally, where she earned her RN at 11 months old. They earned their RAE on April 1, 2018.
Frankie began her agility career in February of 2013. “While she isn’t the fastest dog, she is always happy to play with me,” said Kit. “Competing at one or two trials a month, it took a while to earn all our points. But, on April 22, 2018, at the Bell Vernon Kennel Club agility trail, held at Fun Fur Paws in Mt. Vernon, WA, we did it! We earned our first MACH. April was good month for us.”
“Frankie lives with our other three dogs. Rosie, my first agility dog, who retired last year at age 12. Marshall, a senior rescue with more than his share of physical issues. And Rikki, another All American who is off to a good start in her agility career and Frankie’s side-kick. Frankie is a super smart, sweet, happy, goofy girl, and I couldn’t ask for a better agility partner.”
Frankie
Congratulations also to these first-time MACHs:
- MACH Davis’ Kisses MXB MJB owned by Jared Davis of South Glens Falls, NY
- MACH Brierwood’s Angel Faced Fiend CDX RAE MXB MJB XF owned by Steve Eckert of Pottsville, PA
- MACH My Favorite Jeans RE MXB MJS XF T2B2 owned by Linda Musgrave of Wichita Falls, TX
- MACH Little Rascal “Spanky” MXB MJB owned by Rose Savkov of Long Valley, NJ
- MACH Wee Beginnings Dobby MXB MJS NF CGCA TKA owned by Stefanie Lynn Freundlich of Milford, NJ
Preferred Agility Championships (PACH)
Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more PACHs:
- PACH5 Crosby’s Quinn MXP14 MXPB2 MJP19 MJPG2 PAX5 MFP T2BP3 owned by Krisanne Crosby of North Chesterfield, VA
- PACH9 Harvey’s Casper AX AXJ MXP30 MXPC3 MJP33 MJPB4 PAX11 CGCA owned by Ronda Lauren Harvey of Calabasas, CA
- MACH4 PACH3 Little Miss Ginger Snap MXS2 MJG2 MXP9 MXPG MJP9 MJPG PAX3 OF T2B owned by Lisa D. Brooks of Houston, TX
- PNAC MACH9 PACH5 Logan Lake Hope MXC2 MJG3 MXP11 MXPC MJP12 MJPC PAX5 XF T2B CGC owned by Kimberly Barton of Johnstown, OH
- MACH10 PACH2 Samantha MXS3 MJC3 MXP5 MXPS MJP6 MJPS PAX2 FTC1 MFC TQX T2B6 TKN owned by Donald and Leah Eicher of Laurel, DE
Congratulations to these first-time PACH recipients:
PACH Bailey Miller MXP4 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX OFP T2BP2 owned by Paul A. Miller of Albuquerque, NM
The Millers adopted Bailey from the Albuquerque city shelter when she was a puppy in 2009. “She joined our two other older rescue dogs with great enthusiasm and she tried to herd us around our yard,” Paul said. She loves chasing balls (or anything else that is thrown). “After some obedience training and running exercise, she would still try nipping our heels to herd us.”
When Bailey was 2 years old, they discovered the sport of agility. They learned that Animal Humane New Mexico offered agility training and signed her up. That led to a year of great fun training at AHNM followed by six years of training at Acoma Training Center and then competitions.
“Bailey is very sensitive to human moods,” he said. “She shut down occasionally during training and then started shutting down during competition for almost a year when she sensed stress or frustration on my part. When I learned how to manage my stress and frustration by focusing on providing positive feedback, her performance became very consistent, leading to her recent PACH.”
MACH3 PACH Silva’s 1957 “Chevy” Belair MXG MJG PAX XF T2B owned by Joni and Joe Silva of Sandwich, MA
Chevy is a 9-year-old Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix who came to the Silvas at 9 weeks of age from Missouri. Right from the start, Chevy loved playing ball. “After puppy kindergarten, he was introduced to agility, and it’s been one of his favorite things to do ever since, mine too,” Joni said.
He also loves running, swimming and playing at the beach. He is the oldest of the Silvas’ three dogs who include Kody, 7 (also a Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix), and Rae, a 2-year-old Border Collie. “Our house and our hearts are filled with love, dog paws, and wet kisses.”
Chevy earned his Preferred Agility Champion on May 12, 2018, at the AKC trial in N. Smithfield, RI. Chevy also is ranked number three in the Bad Dog Power 10 rankings for fastest dogs in the 4-inch preferred height.
Chevy
PACH Kohana Sioux AX MXJ MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX OF T2BP owned by Amy Gloman of Rio Rancho, NM
Sioux earned his PACH on April 7, 2018, at the Valencia Valley Kennel Club Agility trial. The 10-year-old Border Collie/Australian Cattle dog mix is Amy’s first agility dog, and she said that she “cannot be more excited about earning this prestigious accomplishment with my best friend.”
“We have come a long way and learned this fast and fun sport together. Sioux is always patient and provides instantaneous feedback on the course when he feels I could run faster, get out of his way, or cue him better. No matter the run, I always come off the course smiling as he is always happy to have completed the course with me. We also attended our first National event in 2018 and are hoping to attend another,” she said.
Sioux
PACH Springwood Willow RE AX AXJ MXP4 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX NFP T2BP THDA CGCA TKP owned by Carolyn Crum of Roscoe, IL
Willow is a very active 7-year-old Maltese/Poodle mix, who competes in the 4-inch jump height division. On May 20, 2018, she earned her PACH at the K9 Obedience Club of Menomonee Falls, WI trial. Willow has her PAX Title and is four points away from her PAX II Title.
“She is the smartest dog I have ever owned,” Carolyn said.
Willow also has her Rally Excellent, Tricks Performer, AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced, and Therapy Dog Advanced titles. She goes to St. Anthony’s Cancer Center twice a month and visits with the nurses, doctors and patients.
Willow
Congratulations also to these first-time PACHs:
- MACH4 PACH My Little Maddie MXS2 MJS2 MXP3 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX owned by Marion Kasch of Hanover Park, IL
- MACH PACH Siren MXB MJB MXPB MJPB PAX XF T2B T2BP owned by Kelly McFaul-Solem of Duluth, MN
- MACH PACH Sarah XII MXB MJB MXP3 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX OF T2B T2BP owned by Jenny Lackey and Kathy Lackey of Jackson, NJ
- MACH2 PACH Turbo MXG MJB2 MXP4 MXPB MJP5 MJPS PAX owned by Rita Drewry of Lebanon, OH
- PACH Loyal to Kyle RN MXP3 MXPB MJPB PAX OFP owned by Kyle Miles of Tell City, IN
COURSING ABILITY TESTS
Coursing Ability Excellent – Congratulations to these dogs for earning the CAX for passing the CAT test 25 times:
Dolly Dooley CAX BCAT TKI owned by Christine J. Ahern of Athens, GA
Dolly is a 10-year-old, fun-loving All-American who started her career in NAFA Flyball Racing. She loves anything that appeals to her prey drive, so Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Barn Hunt and dock diving are her favorites. She recently earned the first two levels of AKC’s Trick Dog titles and is getting ready for the Advanced title.
She started her newest sport, dock diving, last summer at age 9, and, though a novice, was honored with an invitation to the 2017 AKC/NADD National Championship in Orlando, FL.
Dolly Dooley earned her Coursing Ability Excellent at the April 2018 Peach Blossom Cluster Shows at Perry, GA, sponsored by the Greyhound Association of North Georgia.
Dolly looks forward to “slowing down” in the years to come by adding her retirement sports of AKC Scent Work and AKC Rally.
Dolly
Link to My Heart AX AXJ CAX owned by Joy Slaughter of Hesperia, CA
Joy adopted Link, a terrier/Chihuahua mix, from a shelter in February 2015 when she was 10 weeks old.
Link received her CAX title in Chino, CA, at the Southern California Ibizan Hound Club trial in February 2018. Link also has earned her AKC Excellent Agility title, and she and Joy are working on Masters. She also loves Barn Hunt and has tried dock diving.
“Link is a super dog and loves to play tug and chase balls. She is learning tricks for her Trick Dog title. I just love activities with Link and I am very happy that the AKC offers all these sports we can do together,” Joy said.
Zoey Furiously Happy CAX BCAT TKN owned by Pam Buswell of Gorham, ME
Zoey is almost 3 years old and is a Chihuahua/American Eskimo mix who was rescued as a puppy. A month after her first birthday on Oct. 22, 2016, Zoey ran in her first CAT.
“It was the scariest moment of my life,” Pam said. “Releasing my little girl to chase a plastic bag 600 yards around a wide-open field, hoping she wouldn’t run off in this strange place. She is quite timid and to top it off, it was pouring buckets. She does not like rain or water and avoids walking in puddles or mud at all costs.”
As Pam held Zoey in the downpour at the start line waiting for the “tally-ho” just before releasing her, she wondered if she was doing the right thing and whether Zoey would chase the lure or just run off. But Pam’s worries and fears were quickly erased when the bags moved and she let Zoey go.
“She ran like the wind, her legs stretching out behind her, ear-to-ear grin on her face. She ran the entire 600 yards passing right by me at the halfway point, not even glancing my way. She had total laser focus upon those bags; if she noticed the rain pouring down she didn’t care. She was running on pure instinct. I could not have been prouder of my little girl than during that run…She hasn’t looked back since that first run.”
Zoey earned her CAX on June 3, 2018, at the Gazehounds of New England Lure Coursing Club test in Blandford, MA. The following weekend, she earned her BCAT title in Fast CAT and is less than 12 points away from DCAT.
Zoey
Congratulations also to these dogs who earned their first CAX titles:
- Red Rocks God Must’ve Spent a Lil More Time on You CAX owned by Anita Rabidou of Montgomery, AL
- Houdini’s Static Cling CAX owned by Lia Gloriana Weber of Bozeman, MT
- Eclipso’s Legacy Night King RN NA NAJ CAX DCAT owned by Amy Margaret Eckert of Pottsville, PA
- Littman’s Pip OA OAJ CAX owned by Mark Littman of Newton, NJ
Congratulations to these dogs for earning multiple CAX titles:
- 999 Happy Haunts, There’s Room for One More CAX4 BCAT owned by David and Jennifer Light of Leesburg, VA
- Iyong Tapat Kaibigan FDC CAX12 BCAT DN owned by Stephanie Joan Markgraf of Burlington, NC
Fast CAT
Congratulations to this FCAT title earner for earning 1,000 points:
Berks Jackson NJP NFP CA FCAT SCN SHDN RATO CGCA TKA owned by Jennifer Dawn Baiocco of Orlando, FL
Berks is 10 years old and was adopted from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in 2008.
“He is a bit of a jack of all trades,” Jennifer said. “He’s a guy who is happy just to be out doing things, and over the years has participated in agility, Barn Hunt, coursing, and scent work. Berks struggles with confidence, however, and Fast CAT has been the place where he has really found his niche, always one of the happiest dogs to be running down the track!”
Berks earned his FCAT with Brevard Kennel Club on April 28, 2018.
Berks
DCAT
- DT6 Blue Star CA DCAT owned by Gordon Douglas Kane and Lori Laine LaGasse of Allen, TX
- Van Pelt’s Cooper CA DCAT CGC owned by James John Van Pelt of Metairie, LA
- Eclipso’s Legacy Night King RN NA NAJ CAX DCAT owned by Amy Margaret Eckert of Pottsville, PA
- Hong’s Trevor DCAT CGC TKI owned by Diana Hong of Bowie, MD
- MACH3 Folly Farnsworth MXC MJB2 XF T2B2 DCAT owned by Trudy and Sean Price of Kingsport, TN
- Nataki’s Life in The Fast Lane RN DCAT CGCA TKP owned by Gwen and Stephen Carr of Frederick, MD
- Siendo’s Daniel Boone AX NAJ OF CAX DCAT ACT1 CGC owned by Mari Coderre of Freehold, NJ
OBEDIENCE
Utility Dog Excellent (UDX)
Ginger Pinky Boojie von Patrick UDX OM1 RE owned by Laurene Von Klan of Santa Monica, CA
Laurene von Klan is a dog trainer and non-profit management specialist with a focus on environmental issues. She has trained dogs for many years and swears by the results she and her dog Ginger achieved with positive training. Ginger has Bulldog and Corgi in her DNA and was adopted from the Los Angeles shelter.
She is Laurene’s Novice A dog and earned the UDX and Obedience Master titles on May 6, 2018. Ginger also earned the AKC Rally Excellent title and recently passed the Odor Recognition Test so she can move on to the AKC’s new Scent Work events. Laurene and Ginger love to hike together in the California mountains, especially when rain has filled the normally dry creeks.
Ginger
Utility Dog (UD)
Congratulations also to this dog who has earned the UD title:
- Peyton Doodle Boehringer UD PCDX BN GO owned by Sharon Ann Boehringer of Casstown, OH
Multiple UDXs
Congratulations to this dog who has earned another UDX:
- Sassy Sissy UDX5 OM8 NA NAJ CGC TKP owned by Donna Hartwig of Newark, IL
RALLY
Rally Master (RM)
Daisy Duke XVII BN RM RAE NFP ACT2 CGCA TKA owned by Colleen Swierkocki of Wayne, NJ
Daisy earned her Rally Masters title on May 19, 2018, at the Albany Obedience Training Club trial in Albany, NY. In the morning trial on this cold, rainy day, Daisy earned a perfect score of 100. In the afternoon trial, she earned another, giving her the Masters title. Colleen and Daisy also showed in Excellent (99) and Advanced (100) earning her Triple High Combined and her first RACH QQQ and some RACH points! (And going 10/10 in Masters – 10 Qs in 10 trials).
“Daisy came to us as a puppy to be our family pet,” Colleen said. “Knowing all dogs should have some training, we enrolled in puppy kindergarten and then basic obedience.” They were having fun, and Daisy was a quick learner so they moved on to rally classes. When they entered their first rally trial, they were hooked! The pair moved steadily through the evels and earned several High Combined scores on the way to their RAE. Most recently they participated in their second AKC Rally National Championship in Wilmington, OH. “It was a great learning experience and we enjoyed making new friends and watching the teams compete.”
Colleen and Daisy also train in agility and obedience. Recently Daisy earned her first agility title, and Colleen plans to begin showing in obedience in the fall.
Daisy
Sandy River Casts a Shadow CD PCD BN RM RAE2 MXP MJP2 XFP T2BP TKN and Treharne’s Logan CD BN RM RAE3 AXP AJP XFP TKN owned by Jan Leone Treharne of Brush Prairie, WA
Shadow and Logan both earned their Rally Masters titles at the Sherwood Dog Obedience Club trial on April 29, 2018. “We started our Rally Masters journey together last December, and both dogs excelled at the new challenge,” Jan said.
Shadow won the High Combined and High Triple Combined awards six out of 10 times, and Logan placed in the top four nine out of 10 times. “Both dogs love rally. I do all the training myself using my driveway and kitchen as our training areas.”
“Logan was given to us at age 1 by a person who was unable to keep him. He’s always been a fun, happy dog who loves to please,” she said. “He began his rally career at age 4 and won many awards at all levels. Shadow, we got as a puppy, and he is much more driven. He is also a fun loving, goofy boy who is friends with everyone. He started his rally career at age 6 ½ months and never looked back. He had his RAE by age 2. He, too, earned many top awards along the way.”
Both dogs also compete in agility. Logan competes at the Masters level, and now just has fun at local trials. Shadow is also at the Masters level and recently competed in the 2018 AKC National Agility Championship in Reno, NV.
“I’m very proud of my boys,” added Jan. “What we start together, we end together, and both are always ready for the new challenge.”
Shadow & Logan
Merlin’s Magic Act RM CGC TKP owned by Andrea Thompson of Grand Blanc, MI
Merlin was adopted at 9 weeks in April 2014 from a rescue that had taken in his unwanted litter as soon as they were old enough to be weaned from their farm dog mother. He has a distinguishing feature, missing an outer toe and the nail on the next toe of his left rear paw, and it is not known if this was a birth defect or a healed injury that happened during his first few days.
“I took him to puppy obedience classes at Companion Dog Training Club of Flint (Michigan), as I do with all of my dogs, and he soon showed what a smart, talented and happy worker he is,” Andrea said.
They participate in various dog sports and finished Merlin’s Rally Master title at the Tri Cities Dog Training Club of Saginaw Bay, MI, on May 4, 2018. “We also play a little in agility, and he loves it. Currently we are signed up for a dock diving class and will try out Barn Hunt in the near future.
“Merlin is a clown and busybody who loves to have a job, such as taking off your socks and putting them in the hamper, or picking up dropped objects. His passion is retrieving, with balls being his favorite. And he gets along well with our older Dachshund girls and his younger Airedale brother, but is sometimes suspicious of strangers,” added Andrea.
Merlin
Congratulations also to this Rally Master title earner:
- Lucky Lucy Lu BN RM FDC OA OAJ OF CA BCAT CGCA CGCU TKE owned by Sharon and Michael Porter of Wooster, OH
Multiple Rally Advanced Excellent (RAEs)
Congratulations to these dogs who have added more RAEs to their names:
- Bossman Sweetater Freighter RAE21 owned by James and Barbara Roberts of Lakeland, FL
- Chloe Wild Child UDX OM1 BN VER RM2 RAE2 THD CGC TKA owned by Nancy C. Nelson of Manorville, NY
- MACH Northbound Fly by Night CD RAE2 MXS MJG NF CGCA owned by Samantha Scicchigno of Staten Island, NY
Congratulations to these first-time RAE recipients:
I’m Pretty Aerodynamic CD BN RAE CGC owned by Erica Ashley Huehn of Beavercreek, OH
Aero completed his RAE at Clermont County Dog Training Club’s trial in Milford, OH, on June 10, 2018. “In addition to the recent completion of his RAE, Aero was invited and privileged to compete at the 2018 AKC Rally National Championship,” Erica said.
Aero celebrates his 11th birthday in October. He grew up with a love of dog sports, especially rally, alongside his handler, with whom he did a great deal of 4H. After aging out of 4H and junior’s programs, Aero and Erica began earning more titles in dog sports.
“Aero is diagnosed with canine discoid lupus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceous, but he does not let that hold him back from the things he loves. Outside of rally, Aero spends time hiking, dancing in canine musical freestyle, and adventuring with his Golden Retriever friends, Coda and River, as well as his Papillon friend, Jinx,” Erica said.
Aero
Congratulations also to these first-time RAE recipients:
- MACH Frankie Girl RAE MXS MJB OF CGCA TKN owned by Kit Young of Camano Island, WA
- Tinsel Jankowski RAE owned by Lucy and Julia Jankowski of Staten Island, NY
- Jazzi Eaton CD RAE CGC TKN owned by Suzanne Eaton of LaFayette, NY
TRACKING
Tracking Dog (TD)
Wiley Coyote Cleaver Clark TD owned by Kathy Cleaver of Wayland, MA
“Wiley has quite a story,” Kathy said. “He was dumped, hit by a car (lost his tail), and then on the run for three weeks. He was spotted in several different towns but avoided capture. He finally was so hungry and cold (it was November), that he hopped into a car as a woman was letting her dogs in after a walk.”
Kathy had followed his story on Facebook and was intrigued, though not telling her family about getting a second dog. No one claimed him at the Animal Control Office, and he was taken to the local shelter. “I sprinted over and put a hold on him. His nose was always to the ground, and it wiggled like a rabbit’s.”
The Cleavers adopted him in December, and Kathy started tracking with him a few weeks later. Wiley caught on quickly, and got his TD at the Yankee Golden Retriever Trial in Durham, NH, on April 29, 2018. Kathy hadn’t expected to get in as they were alternates and had also entered her home club test, the Tracking Club of Massachusetts. “So, we did a second TD test there, and earned a second TD on May 20, 2018. He is TD (2)!” Wiley also recently earned his CGC.
Wiley
Lodestar Katch TD CGC TKP owned by Mary Pasternacki and Stuart R. Tuttle of Flagstaff, AZ
Katch was born on a sheep and dairy farm in Ontario, Canada on March 20, 2017.
Mary loves training dogs, and at 10 weeks Katch showed her aptitude. Her first clicker trained trick, lying down in a box, took only five minutes to master. Since then she has earned four AKC Trick Dog Titles and her AKC Canine Good Citizen Title.
Katch and Mary started weekly tracking training with the county search and rescue team and after about six months of training they were ready to demonstrate their tracking ability to an AKC tracking judge. This initial certificate demonstrated that they had sufficient training to participate in an AKC Tracking Test.
“Onward to a real test, fingers crossed and still practicing,” Mary said. “We traveled more than 500 miles to participate in the Great Salt Lake Dog Training Club Tracking Test in Vernon, UT, on May 13, 2018. We drew the fifth of six tracks laid on a beautiful Sunday morning in the meadows below the Sheeprock Mountains (Katch, the sheep herder, was surely destined to pass here).”
And pass she did. Katch followed human scent for 460 yards over 10 minutes of elapsed time and found the tracklayer’s glove at the end. “It was spectacular!” she said. “Katch knew exactly what to do and the scent trail was like a highway to the much-coveted glove. I followed Katch at the end of her 40-foot lead, reading her every cue, but mostly being the ‘Dope-on-a-Rope’ and trusting a dog’s magical nose and our months of training.”
Katch