Meet Margaret Steinrock: Solution to Boredom Led to Agility Success

Margaret Steinrock got her start in agility by playing around on her mother’s equipment with her dog Princess. Now she and her mother enjoy the sport together.

At the 2017 AKC Juniors Agility Competition in Orlando, FL., Margaret and Princess Sassy Steinrock NAP OAP EAP NAJP OAJP EAJP placed fourth in the 8-inch height division. Here, Margaret tells us about Princess and her agility career so far.

Name: Margaret Steinrock
Age: 13
Hometown: Crestwood, KY
Grade: 7th
Family: Parents, Jeff and Karen Steinrock; brother, Jonathan

AKC: How old is Princess and how did she come into your life?
Princess is a rescued Chihuahua mix from the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville, KY. She is now anywhere from almost 5 to 7 years old. I got her as an early 10th birthday present. My dad still denies saying I could get her, but over the years he has fallen in love with my little Princess.

AKC: What got you started in training and competing with dogs? Tell us about what dog training has meant to you.
My mom had started agility for fun with her dog and then stopped because it interfered with family dinner. One day, when I was bored, I took Princess outside to play on the equipment my mom used to practice on. It didn’t take long until I became hooked. Since then I have improved immensely thanks to Georgette Laporte and Sandy Case at Shamrock Acres Training Center. Once Princess and I started doing agility, my mom joined back in so we could do it together.  Agility training has made me a more responsible person, and it has increased my knowledge and love of dogs. It has also brought me closer to my mom.

AKC: What sports does Princess compete in and what titles/honors has she earned?
Princess is smarter than my Border Collie and catches on to new tricks quickly. Her favorite trick is playing her toy piano. Princess is in the Masters level in both AKC Agility Jumpers with Weaves and Standard. We are working on getting her PACH.

AKC: Tell us about any other dogs you have and what sports they compete in.
I also have a Border Collie puppy who is almost a year old. It will be a big transition to go from running a Chihuahua to running a Border Collie in agility. My mom’s dog is a mix who is almost 8 years old. We also have an older cat who came with the house. He is supposedly an outdoor cat, but he spends most of his time lounging on our couch.

AKC: What are your goals in the sport of dogs?
My goals with Princess will be to eventually get a PACH, but for the time being just to keep having fun.

AKC: Do you plan do to something animal-related as a career?
My dream is to own an agility facility and teach classes, but if that doesn’t work out I would be content selling homemade dog treats. In the future, I would also like to be an agility judge.

AKC: What extracurricular activities are you involved in addition to dog sports?
I am home schooled and besides agility I spend my time pole vaulting. I am slowly starting my own dog treat business called “Doggie Delights.” I can’t imagine life without Princess.