Our Training Philosophy
If the dog can have positive experience, then you will have positive results. The training approach is based on positive training methods,working to build desire and drive through the Say Yes! training program using crate games, its yer choice, shaping, and other motivational games and learning techniques using the dogs natural abilities. We do not allow corrective type training including use of choke, prong, or electronic collars. Not only is it unsafe to have them on near equipment, we want to make the game fun! Each dog/handler team is worked with individually based on the dogs needs with in the class setting. Working with their goals, whether it is active agility competition, a well mannered dog at home, or working to achieve a calm, non reactive dog.
About the Trainer
Tina Eldred works with a variety of breeds in her personal agility career including Siberian Huskies and Vizslas. Her first agility dog, Siberian Husky was a joy in the ring. A confident dog with a vast world of obedience training behind her before she started agility. Nia performed well earning her MX, MXJ with in her first year of competition, a 2 time invitee to the AKC invitational, ranking #2 Sibe in the US in 2008. Nia, was retired early in her career due to sports related injuries. With Nia's injuries, Tina went on a search for a more serious aproach to properly training and preparing the dogs for a career as a professional athlete.
Shianne, A vibrant Vizsla that had to overcome many struggles that other handlers have as well with fear and distractions in the ring. The world of games became a part of Tina's training, building confidence in her un confident dog!
Tugger, a young powerful and energetic Vizsla is her youngest in training. He has taught her the most so far. He has a solid foundation and is a brilliant young working dog. As Tugger deals with some shyness with new environments, he continues to show how important the foundations program is to his ability to overcome. It will be a joy to see Tugger progress along in his up and coming agility career!
Tina trains regularly with Tracy Sklenar, Leader of the Pack and has currently teamed up with Tracy at Animal Performance and Therapy Center to provide a comprehensive agility program for all. Tina and Tracy also recently hosted a mini dog skills camp for young dogs that was hugely successful and a great opportunity to learn from everyone. Tina has worked with some of the top trainers in the world including Greg Derrett, Susan Salo, Anthony Clarke and routinely attends workshops at Susan Garrets Say Yes training center, one of North America's leading training facilities. The Workshops allow Tina to learn and stay current with the leading training methods for fast amazing agility dogs. A few workshops that Tina attends includes foundations, Double Box, Agility Handling Blueprints, Susan Salo's Jump Grid Seminars, and Handling with Greg and Laura Derrett, and Contact training work in addition to handling and footwork clinics, allowing her to have a true understanding of the program and to offer seminars of her own to bring the knowledge to many handlers striving to succeed in the ring.
Experience
As a trainer, I have taught obedience and agility for over 13 years, working with various trainers and training methods. I have incorporated what I've learned and what I've experienced first hand into my training. I have also worked closely with Danielle Basciano, certified animal behaviorist, in learning the psychology of dogs and how to work with reactive/aggressive dogs and I look forward to continually learning about these behaviors. I am continually learning new techniques expanding my knowledge in agility.
I enjoy teaching agility, obedience, and working with dogs that are socially challenged because the end result is a happy dog!
Teaching all levels of agility from Foundations to dogs working at the Masters level I teach based on the Greg Derrett handling system, which I have found to be simple, and a very clear handling system for all dogs. . Agility is not just about the sport, but is about doing something fun with your dog!
A bit about the dogs. I adopted my first dog 13 years ago, not knowing much at all about training. I took my first dog through obedience classes and found out instantly that I loved learning about dogs and how they think. I later joined as a volunteer at the CNYSPCA for about 7 years. Learning about animals and working closely with them. I became President of the board of directors of the CNYSPCA in 2006 and enjoy being a volunteer. . I also do rescue work and fostering with Siberian Huskies and Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue . I am a member of the Syracuse Obedience Training club and have helped on many fund raising events and community events on animal related topics.
Proud Owner of 6 dogs:
Skyler, Siberian husky rescued at 3 months old. She was quite the challenge as a pup. I remember people trying to catch her in obedience class as she would race around the building playing keep away from the mamma. After some much needed obedience I couldn't ask for a better dog!
Nia, who I adopted a from the CNYSPCA as a pup and at 2 years old, decided to try out agility. We received our Masters Agility titles within 1 year of starting competition and recently attended the AKC invitational in Long Beach, CA.
Shianne, Vizsla, my third rescue has worked through numerous health and behavior problems and is now competing in agility.
Ukraine, my first foster dog with Tails of the Tundra Husky Rescue, found a special place in our hearts and continues to show her love today.
The newest member of the family, Szeranade Tuggin' at my heart AKA:Tugger. Tugger at 14 weeks old had amazing drive and ability to learn.. He mastered Its yer choice games and crate games early on and has an amazing startline. , He loves to play the back up game, and his favorite pass times are : attacking the hairdryer until I blow it in his face.
Tugger has grown since this picture. As a young dog, he continues to amaze me at his knowledge and understanding of the game. He is brilliant in everything he does. With all his foundations and jump training under his belt, he is now working on all the big kid stuff preparing to start his career in the ring in 2010.
Markus, 8 yr old Shepard mix. Markus is the keeper of the house. He enjoys playing in the yard and lounging on the couch. He tried agility, but felt that these "tricks" were too easy for him and he had more interesting things to attend to like wrestling with his human dad and playing ball outside.
Its all about the dogs!
