I have been an animal lover from the day I was born. I am one of the lucky few that found my passion at an early age. I started working as a brusher bather at a local grooming shop at the age of eleven and have worked in the animal field ever since. Breeding has been a part of my core. I take the breeding process very seriously and try to make the best choices while trying to create the ideal of each breed that is in my head. Temperament, structure and movement are high on my list as a breeder.
I started my own Mobile Dog Grooming company in 1994. Since I am a ” You’re not the boss of me” kinda gal owning my own business suited me just fine. I adore working with dogs so being out and about and not stuck in a shop all day was wonderful! I have since moved on from grooming in the vans each day and have concentrated my energy on my Dog Boarding business. We have a 5 acre ranch in Acton, Ca that I am very proud of. The dogs really seem to enjoy their stays here on the ranch.
I have been showing dogs in conformation since I was 11 years old and just recently broke into the world of agility. What fun!!! While I still show my dogs at conformation shows I find that I enjoy the agility trials so much more. I just have fun with my dogs in agility and spend most of the time laughing…. my dogs LOVE it. I am not that talented or driven to compete any higher than at a local level but I truly enjoy supporting Daneen on her amazing whirlwind agility adventures. I have met incredible people, visited beautiful places and seen some of the most amazing dog agility ever!!! What a ride!!!
We just recently started a dog club called Action Dog Sports ~ Making a difference through education, common sense and attitude. Action Dog Sports has been a dream of mine since I was 11. Now that I am sitting down writing this I realize that my 11th year was formative and quite amazing!!! If you would like to read more about Action Dog Sports ….. Click Here.
I believe that we create our own reality and I am thrilled with what I have created so far…. and so looking forward to whatever adventures I create in the future. I am blessed with a wonderful support and energy around me … My partner in life, my family, my friends and all the critters that are in my life.
I have been fortunate enough to have found my passions in life …… Papillons and agility!!!
While I have worked with animals most of my life, it was not until I took Chopper, my Pomeranian, to a local agility class that I truly found something that I LOVED doing!! I learned a tremendous amount from working with Chopper, and even though we were both newbies in the sport, we found our way to some very memorable moments, such as my first experiences running at regionals, Nationals, and even placing in many finals. What a thrill for me, and I have to admit that I was bitten by the bug very early on.
My next dog was Zip, a border collie. What a great dog!! I was used to Chopper, who would go but was not the fastest little dog…. so I was going to make sure that I did everything I could to NOT slow Zip down and to keep him amped. Looking back on the training I did with Zip, I now realize that I did NOT need to go overboard with the revving part of our training. They do say that you can go from one extreme to the other. Zip was good at agility, and he was great at herding. He earned his herding championship is AKC and his WTCH in ASCA.
I really wanted another pomeranian, but could not find a breeder that would guarantee patellas so I started looking at Papillons. I found a breeder and looked at a litter of 3 Paps – 1 boy and 2 girls. I really wanted the boy, but the breeder was keeping him. The darker of the 2 girls was FEISTY!!! I picked her up and she was snapping at my nose… I fell in love!!!!
I named this little spitfire Shredder, and we had an amazing time together!!!! She was incredibly smart and ludicrous speed fast!!! She LOVED the gam,e was also fairly independent, and I sort of got the feeling that she just kept me around to fill out the entries, send the check, and drive her to the trials!!!
She was such a rush to run, and what a character. She always got our money’s worth, taking 25 to 30 obstacles and still coming in under course time!!
I sadly lost Shredder at the age of 3 1/2 to a rattlesnake bite. Even though she had been through the rattlesnake avoidance training, she was protecting her pup, Masher.
I was so shocked and angered at her loss and have finally come to terms and am truly grateful for the most incredible gift she could have given me, her son Masher.
Each dog that I have worked with has taught me so very much and has taken me on an incredible journey that has allowed me to reach some of my wildest dreams.
I compete in several agility organizations on a local, national, and world level. Masher and I have been on 3 World Teams, and we have won a gold medal for the United States in each World Agility Event we have been in. Standing on the podium while our National Anthem is played has got to be one of the most amazing memories of my entire agility career.
I am fortunate in that I have a wonderful support team behind me – Incredible trainers and coaches, friends, family, and students. Thank you all!!!
I started in agility in 2000 and have been teaching agility for over fifteen years. I believe very strongly that agility is a game and it should be fun for everyone involved and mostly the dogs.
While I run different height dogs and non Border Collies, I have had to develop the skills needed to bring out and maintain drive. I am currently also running, Ella, a Dalmatian, and she, more than any other dog, has really made me not just talk the talk but walk the walk.
I currently run Stunner, a Masher son, and have a couple of up-and-coming Masher grandkids that I am training. They are so much fun to work with, and I am taking my time with them, but I can’t wait to start running them. They are CRAZY!!!!
I hold group training classes, specialty skills classes, and private lessons at Action Dog Sports in Moorpark, CA.
Whatever your reasons or goals are in agility ~ Be where you need to be, Trust your dog, and Have fun!!!!!
Here are a few of my accomplishments
2013 – USDAA 12″ Rocky Mountain Regional Steeplechase Champion
2013 – USDAA 12″ Rocky Mountain Regional Grand Prix Champion
2013 – USDAA Continental Championship 3 Gold Medals and 1 Bronze Medal
2013 – 8″AKC National Agility Champion
2012 – USDAA Steeplechase National Champion
2012 – IFCS World Agility Championship Gold Medal Winner
2012 – IFCS World Team Member ( Texas)
2012 – Papillon Club of America National Specialty – High In Trial
2011 – USDAA 12″ Standard Agility National Champion2011 – USDAA 12″ Jumpers National Champion
2011 – USDAA 12″ National Steeplechase Champion
2011 – USDAA 12″ Northwest Regional Steeplechase Champion
2011 – USDAA 12″ Southwest Steeplechase Champion2011 – USDAA 12″ Southwest Regional Grand Prix Champion
2011 – WAO – World Agility Gold Medal Winner
2011 – WAO – World Team Member – ( England)
2011 – AKC Invitational Agility Top 5 Papillon
2010 – AKC Invitational Agility Top 5 Papillon
2010 – UKC Conformation Champion – Multiple Group Placer
2010 – USDAA 12″ National Grand Prix Champion
2010 – USDAA 12″ National Steeplechase Champion
2010 – USDAA 12″ Southwest Regional Steeplechase Champion
2010 – USDAA 12″ Northwest Regional Steeplechase Champion
2010 – USDAA 12″ Northwest Regional Grand Prix Champion
2010 – IFCS WAC Gold Medal Winner
2010 – IFCS World Team Member – (England)
2010 – Papillon Club of America – High In Trial
2009 – USDAA 12″ National Grand Prix Champion
2009 – USDAA 12″ National Steeplechase Finalist – (2nd Place)
2009 – USDAA 12″ Jumpers National Champion
2009 – USDAA 12″ Standard Agility National Champion
2009 – USDAA 12″ Northwest Regional Steeplechase Champion
2009 – USDAA 12″ Northwest Regional Grand Prix Champion
2009 – Papillon Club of America Nationals – High In Trial
2009 – FCI World Team Tryouts – (5th Overall)
2009 – AKC 8″ National Agility Championships – Finalist
2008 – USDAA 12″ Standard Agility National Champion
2008 – Papillon Club of America Nationals – High In Trial