Tri-State Dog Obedience Club

Valerie Bernhardt - I got my first dog in the 1960’s- A boxer/German Shepherd mix. She was a wonderful companion, but I knew I wanted to compete in dog sports and especially wanted a sporting breed. My wish came true when a friend from college brought 3 Flat-Coated Retrievers over from England. Darby was my first confirmation dog and field dog. I love working with dogs and building a working/bond relationship. They are first and foremost my treasured companions. To date I have enjoyed these relationships for over 50 years. I have titled over 40 of my own dogs in bench championships, obedience , working field dogs, rally, agility and scent work. We have competed throughout the US and Canada making wonderful friends and enjoying some awesome experiences.

I have enjoyed the company of multiple Flat-coated retrievers as well as a Labrador and multiple English Cocker Spaniels.

I have been training for TSDOC since the mid-70’s having apprenticed under some of the best trainers during that period. I keep current with training methods by attending various seminars yearly. I have been past president of the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, was an AKC delegate, as well as an active member in various retriever clubs.

After all of these years I still get the most satisfaction out of teaching basic 1 and watching dog and handlers truly enjoy their relationships and become true working teams.

Joan Clemmons - AKC RALLY INSTRUCTOR FOR 4 YEARS-
Before my involvement with dogs I worked with horses most of my life. During that time I owned, trained, showed and instructed. In 1996 I took my first obedience class at TSDOC with my German Shepherd because I wanted a well behaved dog. Later, I began training my Pug, Rosie. This is when my interest in training dogs for competition began. Rosie and I earned titles in Rally, Obedience and Agility. We are currently working towards her U.D. and excellent agility titles. My English Bulldog, Holly, has earned AKC Rally and C.D. titles and is now working towards her C.D.X.

I own six dogs, ranging from a Chihauhua to a Great Dane. My husband and I, along with our children started a 4-H dog club called K-9 Frenzy. I was lucky to start AKC Rally at its inception and attended seminars while working through my Novice to Excellent titles. I was asked to teach a class at TSDOC and found I really enjoyed the challenge.

Overall, for me, it is not the titles that are most important, but the people I have met and helped along the way, especially those who have helped and supported me.

Chrisanne Cubby - Nosework instructor since 2021.
My passion for dogs was always strong, yet I lacked knowledge in training them until 2004, which is when I began puppy raising for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I learned to instruct the puppies on more than 20 commands. In an eight-year span, I raised six puppies, with two graduating to become Guide Dogs, one became a brood, and three I adopted (Ramona 2004, Ives 2005, and Satin 2012).

I realized the ones I adopted still required a job, so I enrolled in numerous dog training courses at TSDOC when I moved to PA in 2012. We began competing in Rally, CDSP, Agility, and Barnhunt. All three dogs became therapy dogs as well. Nosework training began in 2015, quickly becoming their favorite activity. We participated in UKC, AKC, and NACSW Nosework competitions from 2015 to 2023. In 2022, Satin achieved the NACSW Elite Championship Title.

I hold a teaching degree and felt drawn to instruct in Nosework. After apprenticing with Betty at TSDOC, I started teaching my own classes. I take pleasure in introducing new as well as experienced students to Nosework, whether they choose to compete or not. Nosework engages a dog's mind and fulfills their natural urge to sniff. Each dog has a unique approach to searching. Observing each one solve scent challenges is delightful. Additionally, I find it rewarding to help handlers develop new skills such as knowing when their dog is in odor versus at odor and relinquishing control of the search to the dog.

Nosework offers a vast field of knowledge, and I am committed to continuous learning through online courses and in-person seminars. The realm of Scent Work is fascinating because no two search areas are the same. Air flow affects how odor moves and just the dog walking through an area can make it a different search area for the next dog. Also, search areas have their own built-in distractions such as animal scents, sounds, or people.

During my free time, I assist with rescue transports, foster kittens and puppies, and engage in puppy raising for BluePath Service Dogs. I have raised two dogs, Benni and Pete, who are actively working as service dogs for children with autism. I also started a third puppy, Mason. Additionally, I train my two rescue dogs, Zander and Blaze, who gained confidence and independence through Nosework and have both achieved the NACSW NW3 level. I serve as a UKC Nosework judge and oversee UKC Trials at our club. Conducting workshops on UKC Handler Discrimination is also a source of enjoyment for me.

As the saying goes, "A dog's nose knows!" Come along with me as I help you take the first steps in a journey led by your dog’s nose.

Barbara Miller - began her interest in dog training in 1979 and her association with Tri-State Dog Obedience Club started shortly thereafter. Barbara's first dog, a corgi cross named Ferdinand, completed his Mixed Breed Companion Dog title at a TSDOC match show back in 1986. Since then Barbara and her dogs have earned well over 100 titles in Obedience, Agility, Herding, Tracking, Flyball and Conformation. She has achieved several breed "firsts" including the first AKC agility title on a Basset Hound and the first VCD1 (CD, NA, NAJ, TD) on an American Foxhound. Her Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Australian Cattle Dogs, Foxhound and Basset Hounds have consistently been top ranked Nationally in Obedience, Rally and Agility.

Barbara teaches Agility at Tri-State Dog Obedience Club. She believes that building a strong learning foundation early in a dog's life is crucial to a successful life-long relationship.

Cathy Mann - STAR Puppy, AKC Tricks, AKC CGC Class, WCR Rally Class

There has always been a dog, or multiple dogs in Cathy’s life. If that was not enough she would bring home every ‘stray’ and make sure it found it’s way back to it’s owner. When the new Cocker Spaniel puppy came into her life when she was 12, she taught it tricks and won first prize in her Town Park competition. As an adult, her first dog was Penny, a German Shorthaired Pointer, followed by Nicki a Miniature Schnauzer and then her daughter Bridgette.

In 2010 Cathy started fostering for several Rescue Groups in the NJ/NY area. As of this writing, she and her husband have fostered over 60 puppies, and three found their forever home with Cathy. Zoe (since passed at the age of 14+) already had been adopted when the fostering started, as a way to get Zoe more ‘social’. Zoe earned her NACSW NW1 at the age of 13+. Sampson came next (now 7) who has earned titles in WCR Rally, Barn Hunt, CDSP Obedience, ACK Tricks and CPE Agility also had been certified with Pet Partners and routinely visited a Nursing Home. Sampson also has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen. Samantha (now 6) has earned titles in WCR Rally, CDSP Obedience, UKC NW and CPE Agility. Gideon (now 5, a deaf Aussie mix) has earned titles in WCR Rally, CDSP Obedience, AKC Tricks and UKC NW. Gideon also has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen. All three dogs have been included in the WCR Rally Annual ‘Top 20’ Rankings for various Titles. New puppy Morgan (Aussie mix) has joined the family, adopted from a local rescue group. Too young, yet to compete – but training has begun.

In 2013 when the opportunity presented itself to complete an internship under a dog trainer in NJ, Cathy couldn’t pass it up. Upon the completion of the 250 hours of one on one training/student teaching/researching and writing she then began to teach Basic 1 manners at the Dog Training School owned by the trainer. As well as Basic 1, Cathy also did private in-home lessons.

Cathy has been teaching at TSDOC since 2015. She is an AKC CGC and AKC Tricks Evaluator and is Certified in Pet CPR and First Aid.

In her spare time, Cathy volunteers as a transport driver for a number of rescue groups and actively competes with her dogs in CPE Agility, WCR Rally, CDSP Obedience, NACSW NW and UKC NW. Cathy’s passion is getting puppies off to the ‘right start’ and feels that the STAR Puppy Class is one of the most rewarding classes to teach. Both new and previous puppy owners will truly benefit from the class.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” - Roger Caras

Betty Padgett - Started in dogs around 1969 when she brought her Rough Collie to obedience classes at TSDOC in Matamoras and became hooked. Shortly thereafter she started competing in dog obedience competition and breed conformation with her LaBar Shetland Sheepdog. In the 1970's to 1990’s she also competed in sled-dog races with a variety of breeds from Siberian/Alaskan Huskies to Labrador Retrievers and Doberman Pinschers.

She has owned, loved and competed with her Siberian Huskies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Labrador Retrievers. Doberman Pinschers, Miniature Pinscher, Australian Shepherd and currently, Border Collies.

Her dogs have earned (all owner trained and handled):

Multiple High In Trials in obedience and herding,

2nd Pl 1987 Pennsylvania Sled-dog Championships 3-5 dog class
HIT 1993 Maritime Obedience Invitational in Nova Scotia Canada
4th in the JL Versatility Competition at the 2010 BCSA National Specialty
3rd Pl. Open Class, 2012 AllStar Obedience Championships
VCD2, Utility,C-OTCH & C-UDX
Herding Championships
Breed Conformation Champion
Agility Excellent
Tracking Dog
Rally Excellent
Trick-Dog Performer
CGCA
ScentWork Master

Current, home-bred Border Collie Jedi, is competing at the AKC ScentWork Master and Detective levels. He is also a Registered Therapy dog that loves visiting a local nursing home weekly. All her dogs are family and well-behaved hiking companions.

Betty is an AKC-Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Her classes are flexible for the pet owner who desires to work towards a well-trained canine citizen/companion, or competition partner.

Rose Robischon - At present Rose is the President of the National Owner Handler Association, Inc. Before moving to this area she was president of the Nassau/Suffolk Chapter of the Owner Handler Association as well as their handling instructor in conformation. She has been President of the Tri-County Collie Breeders Association and trained and shown Collies in breed and obedience to their championships. She is a board member and AKC delegate of the Wallkill Kennel Club. She is also Vice President of the Stewards Club of America.