Updated July 11, 2009 Home
Sumac brings together over thirty five years of varied experience as a dog trainer. She began competing in obedience as ayoung teen and has since participated and or competed in obedience, agility, Rally, freestyle, herding, flyball, and pet therapy. She has appeared on the Disney's "That's My Dog" and the PBS show "Fetch". Sumac is the first approved APDT Rally Obedience Judge and APDT Rally Representative in the state of Maine. She is the first Level 2 Judge in New England. Sumac has just been named to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers committe for updating the Rally rules and scoring. She is the Founder of Wag It Games. A new competitive Dog Sport to be introduced in 2010.
Sumac and her Border Collie, Phoebe currently do Therapy Dog work,
offer seminars and demonstrations as well as compete in agility
and APDT Rally. In 2008 Phoebe and Sumac earned two Awards of
Excellence for high scoring performances and ranked 13th in national
placings in APDT Rally Obedience Level 3, the most advanced level
of Rally. Sumac is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Love on
a Leash Therapy Dog evaluator. Sumac is currently bringing along
her new Border Collie, Sparrow for Obedience, Rally, Agility and
Wag It Games.
Sumac's training approach is based on modern animal behavioral
theory and positive training techniques. By developing a strong
relationship, knowledge and clear communication, dogs become a
joy in our lives and enthusiastic competitors. Classes are upbeat
and supportive making training fun for handlers as well as the
dogs!
Sumac is member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, CPE, USDAA
and the Mid Coast Kennel Club. She is also a certified agility
instructor by Julie Daniels, White Mountain Agility School.
Sumac has worked with many of the top instructors in the USA in
many areas of training and Dog Behavior. Ian Dunbar, Dr Nicholas
Dodman, Lo Baker · Cindy Ratner · Jean Mackenzie
· Julie Daniels · Stacy Peardot-Goudy · Rachel
Sander · Anne Andrle · Leslie McDevitt ·
Deb Jones · Debbie Gross-Saunders and Dee Ganley. She has
also been infulenced by the work of Karen Pryor, Susan Clothier,
Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Susan Garrett, Linda Mecklinburg,
Gregg Derrit and Pam Dennison. Sumac continues to expand and update
her knowledge with continuing education on a regular basis.
Sumac is available to offer seminars and demonstrations. Please e-mail for information.