Angela

Member since 2016

My favorite part of dog training is seeing a dog have fun with their handler and a handler have fun with their dog. I like swimming with my dog, which we do almost year-round.

One of the moments with my dog that made me the most proud was in 2016 when Opal was inducted into the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Animal Hall of Fame. Opal obtained her TDIEVA (Therapy Dog International Exceptional Volunteer Achievement) with more than 350 therapy dog visits.

Another proud moment was in 2018 when Alta was awarded The Lucy Wade Memorial Trophy, awarded to the GRCA member-owner whose Golden Retriever scores highest in Novice A class at the National Specialty.

My most embarrassing moment in dog training was Alta doing an extended zoomie in the Utility ring at the COGRC 2022 Specialty Show. The judge NQ’d the run but gave us points for giving everyone a good laugh.

Prior to retiring, I was a Major in the US Air Force and Chief Aeronautical Flight Nurse. 
If I had time for a hobby or interest outside of dogs it would be baking pastries.

Ashley

Member since 2021

The thing I like most about dog training is the bond and partnership formed with the dog. I enjoy seeing the results of training show up in everyday life. I love hearing the success stories of students seeing improvement and having their dogs become a joy to have in home or out and about. 

My favorite things to do with my dogs are hitting the trails, training new tricks, and competing in various events.

One of my proudest moments in dogs is when I show up to a new event. I’m a ball of nerves but no matter the outcome I’m so proud to step in the arena and compete in something that is new to me and my dog. 

In my professional role I am the Vice President of Business Development, MTM Recognition. My interests outside of dog sports are baking, hiking, two stepping, spending time with family, anything on water and college football!

My favorite dog training quotes are “Train the dog in front of you” and “Love the dog before the sport.”
 

Dianna

Member since 2019

My favorite moment when training a dog is the “AHA” moment when you and your dog click and work as a team.

While teaching, I enjoy most watching the two-legged student understand and learn to communicate effectively with their dog.
My favorite pastimes with my dog are field training and being outside in nature. Of course, I like my dog curled up at my feet at night after a long day in the field.

I still look back with pride on my very first orange rosette for field work and then of course the Junior Hunter (JH) title, followed by the Senior Hunter (SH).

I had an embarrassing moment one day while dog training in the field. I sank thigh deep in the red Oklahoma clay next to a pond. The only way out was to enlist the help of my two training partners. One pulled me out and rescued my boot while the other laughed and took pictures as permanent evidence of my predicament.

I work as an Orthodontic/Dental Insurance guru. The confusing game of insurance just makes sense to me. Outside of dog sports I enjoy knitting, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and indoor gardening.
 

Jeanette

Member since 2024

The bond of trust and teamwork that grows with training a dog is a special, lifelong gift to each other. Every dog is different and offers new opportunities and challenges for learning as a trainer.

While teaching, I enjoy the progress of each owner and their dog. I like sharing the benefits one gains with their dog through training.
With my dog, I like best discovering what we love doing together, exploring new adventures, and watching her love of the outdoors. At the end of the day, it’s her bedtime cuddles that I love most.

My proudest moment in dogs was earning a CDX with the first dog I trained and watching my Border Collie earn a CGC title after overcoming fears and growing in confidence through training.

I worked for 35 years in the Pediatric ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital as a bedside RN. I spent 5 years working on an Information Systems team. My last 5 years I managed performance improvement for Trauma Services. Now retired, my husband and I raise cattle on the land his grandparents owned.

Outside of dogs I enjoy drawing, painting, creating scenery for model railroad layouts, gardening, and photography. I collect vintage railroad engines for my grandkids and we build layouts together.

Karen

Member since 1983

I love when my dogs find joy in doing a behavior with precision and style. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the progress of a handler and dog becoming a team - building that amazing relationship.

I spend time with my dogs field training, teaching them little parlor tricks, and enjoying quiet moments alone with them.

My proudest moments in dogs were when my owner-trained and my owner-handled dogs earned a Championship (Ace), an Obedience Trial Championship (Target), and a Master Hunter title (Friday), and when one of my girls became an Outstanding Dam (Ruffian).

My most embarrassing moment in dog training was when my highly titled and trained obedience dog couldn’t do a sit-stay on the start line of an agility trial.

In my spare time outside of dog sports, I love creating watercolor paintings and pencil portraits of dogs.

My favorite quote about dog training is “The better you train, the better you get.”

Martha

Member since 1987

My favorite part of dog training is spending time with my dogs. As an instructor I enjoy helping students achieve more than they ever thought possible.

I most like snuggling and dock diving because they are my dog’s favorite things.

I have a few proud moments as a dog owner. First, as a novice owner-handler, I earned a conformation Championship with my girl, Mirage, in 2004. Also training and handling my other beautiful girl, Doppler, to a Triathlon award at the 2024 National Specialty.

I work as a high school substitute teacher. I have many hobbies and interests outside of dog sports, including sewing, quilting, reading, traveling, history, watching PBS, and managing the GRCA merchandise store at the National Specialty.

My favorite dog training quote is, “You’ll never look back and say I spent too much time with my dog.“
 

Mike

Member since 2019

What I like best about dog training is seeing dogs improve and owners delight in seeing their dog gain skills.

I always remember when teaching that everyone is different and every dog is different. People and dogs respond to different training techniques in many ways. It is rewarding to figure out what works best.

I like my dog’s temperament. I like watching her gain a skill. She is a great companion. My life is better with a dog in it.

One of my proudest moments was with my dog Sophie, who got her therapy dog certification. We went to a school where there was a special needs girl who was afraid of Sophie. We finally encouraged her enough that she came up to pet Sophie. The next time we came to the school, she went right over and hugged her. 

When you work with dogs, they do dog stuff and sometimes it’s embarrassing. One time at an obedience trial Sophie saw my wife, Jan, sitting outside the ring. Sophie was off lead and took off running and I thought she was going to keep going out of the ring. She stopped before leaving the ring but still did not qualify.

I am an independent insurance agent, and I do commercial bonds and insurance. In my free time I play golf, like to fish, make rods, and tie flies.
 

Patti

Member since 2012

The thing I like best about dog training is the bond that is gained between the dog and their owners. As an instructor I love helping people be able to enjoy their dogs to the fullest with well-behaved dogs.

With my own dogs I enjoy doing obedience, field work, scent work, and therapy dog work. I also love their companionship.

My proudest moments in dogs were doing therapy dog work and earning an Obedience Master (OM) title. The OM Title is a prestigious achievement for dogs and handlers. To earn the OM title, the dog must accumulate 200 OM points, earned by achieving high scores in Open B and Utility B.

Dogs know how to humble their trainers. I learned that when my dog ran around loose in the obedience ring. In my professional life I was a teacher before I retired. Besides dog sports I enjoy sewing, crafts, and spending time with my family.

My favorite dog-related quote is “Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love; they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart.”
 

Richard

Member since 2014

My favorite part of dog training is seeing owners succeed with their dog.

What I like best about teaching is the opportunity to learn. When I teach it helps me learn more about dogs. My wife and I most like taking our dog for walks in the neighborhood.

One of my proudest moments in dogs was when we achieved a qualifying score in the ring.

My most embarrassing moment in dog training was when my dog ran away from the training building during class. Everyone helped to go find my dog which disrupted class time. Thankfully he was found without incident. 

In my professional life I am an office administrator. Besides dog training I enjoy photography and tennis.

My favorite dog or training related quote is “Dogs are problem solvers.” 
 

Shari

Member since 2014

Seeing the bond between handler and dog grow closer is my favorite part of dog training. What I like best about being an obedience instructor is helping handlers learn that every dog is different - work with the dog in front of you.

I like most taking my dog for walks and playing fetch with squeakers.

Some of my proudest moments in dogs have been when others compliment the dog I’m working with and how much better he is getting.

I was more embarrassed than my dog when he marked another trainer’s bag.

In my professional life I am a nurse and work in quality improvement. Besides dog sports I enjoy watching Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.

One quote I keep uppermost in my mind while teaching and training is “Dogs are situational.”

Sharon

Member since 1982

My favorite part of dog training is the feel of you and your dog working in concert and you are a team. When I am teaching, I like watching the students get those “aha” moments. 

With my own dogs I enjoy walks on our ranch. 

My two proudest moments with my dogs are: 

- When I breeder-owner-handled a nine month old puppy to a Group 1 and at the same show I also bred the High in Trial winner. 

- At the GRCA Specialty with “Bang” (Ch MACH4 Benden’s When World’s Collide SH CDX) when we won a Judge’s Award of Merit with an ovation from the crowd.

I was 14 and assisting a beginning class when I experienced my most embarrassing moment in dog training. I told a student something they might do differently and later that night found out she was one of the top trainers in the area.

In my professional life I am a Physician Assistant. Outside of dog sports my hobbies and interests include running marathons, gardening both vegetables and flowers, and butterflies.
 

Sheila

Member since 1996

My favorite part of dog training is the way it deepens and strengthens our bond and how each one of my dogs has taught me something different and made me better.

When a student has that “aha moment” with their dog is what I like best about teaching. I see students really trying, struggling and putting in the effort, then a light goes on and they had no idea they could teach their dog to do those things!

I have favorite things I like doing with each of my dogs. The most “rewarding” is Therapy Dog work! Our work at OU Children’s Hospital has produced some of my proudest moments in dogs. 

My most embarrassing moment was in field class with my enthusiastic dog. My instructor said, “Don’t let go before you send her.” I didn’t, and she drug me about 5 feet and into the pond! 

I am a retired elementary school teacher. Outside of dogs I spend time with family and going to kids and grandkids events. I enjoy nature, a late movie, popcorn, and a Golden curled up beside me.

Terry

Member since 2017

My favorite part of dog training is the bond that develops between a dog and myself. It could not be stronger than when training together.

While teaching I enjoy watching the progress of a dog and handler team from the first day of a session to the last. 

My favorite part of dogs is raising puppies! I am in awe of nature. Witnessing the way my dams take care of their litters is inspiring. I love thinking of ways to provide enrichment, ways for puppies to learn problem solving, and preparing them for their new families. Icing on the cake? I meet the most wonderful new people; many of whom become friends. 

I was proud of myself for not passing out the first time I took Maggie into the obedience ring at our first trial!

One of my most embarrassing moments in dog training occurred while demonstrating how to tap the back foot to discourage jumping up, I made the poor pup squeal. Ugh!

I am the owner of Minuteman Press OKC - a commercial design, printing and promotional company. I am an Oklahoma County Master Gardener and enjoy working with elementary students in the Junior Master Gardener program.