About Us

Faran, Shannon, and Argo

I have lived with dogs all my life, and began training the family mutt, Cricket, adopted from the pound when I was very young. Cricket was tolerant and willing, and I won my first ribbon with her, at a fair at my elementary school. It was just a silly little ribbon, but it hooked me. I continued learning about training with my Cavaliers after Cricket's death, and started competing with a few of them in obedience and conformation when I was 21. Circumstances involving their health prevented me from putting titles on them, though Chester was my obedience whiz kid and Barque was to-die-for beautiful in the breed ring. But as with all my dogs, they were pets first and foremost, and beloved companions.

Thanks to my energetic, creative, and stubborn first Leonberger, Argo, I discovered a wide range of activities and sports to help channel her energies into something productive. I found that I actually prefer the rowdy puppies, the first ones to the party and the last to leave type. The game players and the thinkers. The ones that generally drive other people crazy! I work to develop their play drive into a working drive, and use a variety of methods to help them accomplish great things. Taking this kind of puppy is not something I recommend unless you have the time and patience to
devote to training on a regular and lifelong basis. Energetic pups that are bored or frustrated become destructive adults. Training with a turbo pup is a lifelong adventure, but I have found it to be deeply rewarding.

Very active in the Leonberger Club of America (LCA), I served four years on the Show Committee, including a term as chair person. I am an approved Breeding Acceptability Check List (BACL) evaluator, and served briefly on the Breeding Committee, and I am on the board for the Mid-Atlantic Leonberger Club.

I am a professional trainer, and a lifelong student of canine behavior. For years I have taught group classes for Dulles Gateway Obedience Training Club, as well as group classes, day school, and private lessons for Dog Day Afternoon in Leesburg, VA. I am a balanced trainer, though I focus heavily on the positive reinforcement side of the quadrant. I am fluent in operant conditioning, including clicker. I am also certified in remote collar training in the No Limitations method through That's My Dog E-cademy in Wisconsin.

I am a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and a member of (and past president of) Dulles Gateway Obedience Training Club. For more information on my training school, please go to www.everydogtraining.com.