The Dogs.
My own dogs have been my best teachers. There is no greater teacher than your own dog. All dogs are different- even within the same breed. Often you need to be creative to get the best from the dog. I currently have eight dogs, all of which have challenged me in their own way to be a better trainer. Their impressive accomplishments are a testament to my devotion, understanding, and training ability.
Here you will find a short bio about each dog, aswell as their respective accomplishments.
Here you will find a short bio about each dog, aswell as their respective accomplishments.
"Wicca"
ATCHC, BRONZE Bluetrix A Little Wicca Majic MSDC, MJDC, MTRDC, MGDC, STCDC, ExG Bronze, ExS Bronze, ExST Bronze, ExSc Bronze, VBA, CD, RAE, AgNJS, AgNs, SHDCH
Regional Winner, and Nationally Placing Agility Dog in the Agility Association of Canada.
#1 Cardigan Corgi in Canada, Rally Obedience 2011
Multiple High Score in Class
All of those above letters are titles that Wicca and I earned together. Wicca is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. A small dog with a big attitude and a zest for life. Wicca has been an incredible dog to train- often challenging, but always fun. Wicca is a dog that likes to outsmart you, and has kept Amanda on her toes. She passed away in 2018 and is greatly missed. She was one of those “once in a lifetime” type of dogs.
ATCHC, BRONZE Bluetrix A Little Wicca Majic MSDC, MJDC, MTRDC, MGDC, STCDC, ExG Bronze, ExS Bronze, ExST Bronze, ExSc Bronze, VBA, CD, RAE, AgNJS, AgNs, SHDCH
Regional Winner, and Nationally Placing Agility Dog in the Agility Association of Canada.
#1 Cardigan Corgi in Canada, Rally Obedience 2011
Multiple High Score in Class
All of those above letters are titles that Wicca and I earned together. Wicca is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. A small dog with a big attitude and a zest for life. Wicca has been an incredible dog to train- often challenging, but always fun. Wicca is a dog that likes to outsmart you, and has kept Amanda on her toes. She passed away in 2018 and is greatly missed. She was one of those “once in a lifetime” type of dogs.
Vito
Vito is a Corgi Cross that Amanda rescued as a pup. Due to very poor socialising and negative exposure to people as a puppy Vito has always struggled in a social setting. Vito has taught Amanda all about the importance of socialising puppies, aswell as teaching her how to deal with Social Anxiety. Vito is a dog with a false bravado and was of the mindset to react when he was nervous or insecure. Through training Vito is able to handle most situations, although still needs his personal space when first meeting people. Vito passed away early 2020.
Vito is a Corgi Cross that Amanda rescued as a pup. Due to very poor socialising and negative exposure to people as a puppy Vito has always struggled in a social setting. Vito has taught Amanda all about the importance of socialising puppies, aswell as teaching her how to deal with Social Anxiety. Vito is a dog with a false bravado and was of the mindset to react when he was nervous or insecure. Through training Vito is able to handle most situations, although still needs his personal space when first meeting people. Vito passed away early 2020.
Boone RN AADC AGDC
Boone is another rescue that Amanda couldn't part with. He is a Pyrenean Shepherd, a rare French herding dog that is known for their unstable temperaments. Boone is 13 years old and has lived with Amanda for only half of his life. The first part of his life was spent mostly in a crate, and seperated from the household. He was a dog that had very extreme fears when he first came to live with Amanda. His only comfort was his crate and he would hide at any opportunity. Through patience, training, and a desensitizing plan Boone has blossomed. He is a happy dog, who likes to meet new people, and even competed in Rally and Agility! Boone still suffers from Noise Sensitivity but on a much smaller scale. He is an example of a dog that's "managed" all the time. Boonie passed away in 2018 and is greatly missed.
Boone is another rescue that Amanda couldn't part with. He is a Pyrenean Shepherd, a rare French herding dog that is known for their unstable temperaments. Boone is 13 years old and has lived with Amanda for only half of his life. The first part of his life was spent mostly in a crate, and seperated from the household. He was a dog that had very extreme fears when he first came to live with Amanda. His only comfort was his crate and he would hide at any opportunity. Through patience, training, and a desensitizing plan Boone has blossomed. He is a happy dog, who likes to meet new people, and even competed in Rally and Agility! Boone still suffers from Noise Sensitivity but on a much smaller scale. He is an example of a dog that's "managed" all the time. Boonie passed away in 2018 and is greatly missed.
"Pixel"
Cornerstones On Second Thought CDX CGN RE SHDMX-S AGXS AGJNS MAD AGDC MJDC MSDC
Regional Placing Agility Dog at her very first Regionals
#2 Cardigan Corgi in Rally Obedience in Canada 2011
High Score in Class
Pixel is the Princess in the house- the dog that if left to her own devices would choose not to listen, and get into all sorts of trouble. Pixel is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. She is Amanda's main agility and obedience dog now, and has accomplished a lot already in her short life. Through positive training she has a great work ethic, and loves to learn. She is happiest training, and has a great working relationship with Amanda. She has enjoyed Scent Detection the last couple years but is now pretty much retired from dog sports.
Cornerstones On Second Thought CDX CGN RE SHDMX-S AGXS AGJNS MAD AGDC MJDC MSDC
Regional Placing Agility Dog at her very first Regionals
#2 Cardigan Corgi in Rally Obedience in Canada 2011
High Score in Class
Pixel is the Princess in the house- the dog that if left to her own devices would choose not to listen, and get into all sorts of trouble. Pixel is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. She is Amanda's main agility and obedience dog now, and has accomplished a lot already in her short life. Through positive training she has a great work ethic, and loves to learn. She is happiest training, and has a great working relationship with Amanda. She has enjoyed Scent Detection the last couple years but is now pretty much retired from dog sports.
Brit HS RA CD SHDCH
Brit is a Border Collie that was surrendered to rescue after her owners discovered that a Border Collie may not have been the best choice for them. She was hyper, a little out of control, and just more work than they were willing to put in. Amanda snagged her right off the bat and hasn't looked back. Border Collies really are very, very smart dogs. Once is all it takes to learn something (even bad things!)- so this has put Amanda's training and timing to the test. She has only been with Amanda for a year but is already learning Obedience, Agility, and Scenthurdle Racing. Brit's main love is Herding, and she has introduced Amanda to a whole new obsession! She is a great example of a dog that needed a job.
Brit is a Border Collie that was surrendered to rescue after her owners discovered that a Border Collie may not have been the best choice for them. She was hyper, a little out of control, and just more work than they were willing to put in. Amanda snagged her right off the bat and hasn't looked back. Border Collies really are very, very smart dogs. Once is all it takes to learn something (even bad things!)- so this has put Amanda's training and timing to the test. She has only been with Amanda for a year but is already learning Obedience, Agility, and Scenthurdle Racing. Brit's main love is Herding, and she has introduced Amanda to a whole new obsession! She is a great example of a dog that needed a job.
Leo
Leo is a special dog who joined my family first a foster. When it became obvious that he was unlikely to be adoptable it was decided that he would stay. A Border Collie with a tendency to bite first think later, Leo has been a challenge. He had serious trust issues, and was carefully managed until he learned that people are okay. Aside from his behavior problems he is a brilliant dog. He was a a great step up into competitive sheep dog trials. In 2014 he won the Highwood Arena series as top Ranch dog, and later ended up as the top Novice dog in Alberta. We made it all the way to Open (the top level in Sheepdog lingo) and I had to retire him as he developed Congestive Heart Failure. He’s still my go-to demo dog for obedience classes though as he loves to work!
Siren
Boldhearts Playing With Fire
Siren is a Parson Russell Terrier- Amanda's first non-herding breed! She is a spitfire full of energy, tenacity, and all the typical terrier traits you would expect. She loves to heel, and is working on Obedience and Rally titles. Nothing is more humbling than a terrier. It’s a process but she’s maturing nicely and hopefully we will have some more time in 2020 to focus on that!
Boldhearts Playing With Fire
Siren is a Parson Russell Terrier- Amanda's first non-herding breed! She is a spitfire full of energy, tenacity, and all the typical terrier traits you would expect. She loves to heel, and is working on Obedience and Rally titles. Nothing is more humbling than a terrier. It’s a process but she’s maturing nicely and hopefully we will have some more time in 2020 to focus on that!
Jack
Jack was my first purpose bought sheepdog. I purchased him from a breeder at 10 months old. He is a great sheepdog and had a very successful nursery (young dog) year. This past year we ran in Open which was a learning year for both of us. He’s a phenomenal dog, and with a lot of hard work I hope to be able to show him well. Aside from sheep stuff Jack is an all around good boy. I use him a lot for neutral or friendly dog for behavioral assessments. He has an unflappable temperament and is the happiest dog ever.
Willow
Willow is a two year old mixed breed dog. Her mix is called an “Idaho Shag.” She is a border collie/Airedale type cross. I purchased her for sheep stuff but she’s not cut out for that. Instead she is my upcoming “do all the things” dog. She loves to play and work and is so clever. She is a great agility dog but hasn’t competed yet. Maybe this year we Will make some time for that!
Nim
Nim is almost two and is completely wild. She is my upcoming sheepdog and I haven’t done much else with her except for basic obedience and sheep stuff! On stock she is coming into her own finally and showing some great stuff. In real life she can be busy and hyper and oh so happy. Nim definitely is the hippie in the family and doesn’t take much personally. She is the opposite of serious and basically flys through life looking for the party. Maybe one day she will grow up.
Sadie
In December of 2019 my good friend Betty Ment was hit by a drunk driver and killed. Her little dog Sadie survived the accident.
Sadie came to live with me first temporarily and quickly showed me that she wanted to stay. She has taken over the house and has a piece of my heart always.
Sadie her earned her scent detection championship with Betty, but we still plan to dabble. Our main goal will be getting into that Rally and Obedience ring! Sadie is a very talented little dog and with some polishing will be a great trial dog!
Sadie came to live with me first temporarily and quickly showed me that she wanted to stay. She has taken over the house and has a piece of my heart always.
Sadie her earned her scent detection championship with Betty, but we still plan to dabble. Our main goal will be getting into that Rally and Obedience ring! Sadie is a very talented little dog and with some polishing will be a great trial dog!
