When I was a kid, animal obedience meant getting my horse and I to succeed in competitive riding. As I grew older and worked for various veterinarians as front and back staff, I began to see the most important part of owning a pet is the bond between owner and animal. As I have competed in canine obedience, I have learned that a large part of that success is respect on both parties. My partners and I have been able to succeed as competitive teams because of the mutual respect that I worked to develop. I believe in training with lots of positive reinforcement. In studying how successful trainers have succeeded, I came to the viewpoint that it is all about the relationship between dog and owner and that has led me to my current philosophy. I train to build Relationship-Attitude-Teamwork. This is the approach I try to teach to my students. That this is a thinking game, on the part of both handler and dog and if both understand and respect their roles, much success will be realized. This approach has led to many AKC achievements; I have put Utility Dog Excellent titles on three Rottweilers and a Border Collie. My current Rottie’ Chilly has earned an Obedience Trial Championship this past year and invitations to the National Obedience Invitational Trial the last two years. We have also had much success in UKC as well. My veterinary work has led to my interest in animal sports medicine and rehabilitation. As part of that I have studied conditioning and how to prevent injuries when they are in competition and treat injuries if they should arise.

I have been a member of Pasanita Obedience Club since 1989. Before becoming a trainer for POC in 1998, I trained my own dogs for competition for over 25 years. I am also a Certified Canine Good Citizen, Trick dog evaluator. I started with German Shepherd and in 1991 I got my first Australian Shepherd, in late 2021 I got an Australian Kelpie that am now currently training. I have received titles in Australian Shepherd Club of America consisting of Breed Champion, Obedience Trial Champion, CD, CDX, UD, RNX and RA. In American Kennel Club, I have received titles including Breed Champion, CD, CDX, UD, RN, RA and RE. The titles I have received in United Kennel Club are Breed Champion, CD, CDX. I have taught Puppy class, and currently teach Beginner Novice and Advance Novice / CGC class.

Gail brings 25+ years of working with and training dogs to begin her time teaching the Puppy Class. A new member to Pasanita in 2012, she’s been an active club member and served as the Club’s President from 2014-2016. She is also a certified Canine Good Citizenship, Trick dog, and Temperament Test evaluator. She has always loved dogs and working with them. Her parents bought her a miniature poodle when she was 8 years old to stop her from bothering/visiting the neighbors who owned dogs. She named her pup Cheri, who developed Diabetes at a young age. In order to keep her, Gail took charge of Cheri’s sugar testing and Insulin shots. Cheri lived to be 18! Gail’s taking care of Cheri led her to a career path in nursing.

Currently Gail has both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, she shows in both Conformation and Obedience/Rally and a German Shepherd she is training in Obedience. She has been very successful with her first show dog, Benson. He’s both an AKC Grand Champion and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA Champion. This year at the age of 8, he won First Award of Merit at two club specialties and she’s campaigning him to be the first Grand Champion Cavalier to also achieve a Utility Title. Benson has sired several litters. Gail has one of his sons who is also an AKC Grand Champion. Before Gail became a Cavalier owner, she had German Shepherds trained in Obedience and Schutzhund. She enjoys training both breeds as it adds to the challenge of training the different personalities and abilities. Gail is looking forward to working and training with the new puppies and their owners in Puppy Class, and this new chapter in her life.

Pets are an invaluable addition to any family. They provide company, exercise, joy and unconditional love just to mention a few assets. I have always had some kind of pet – a rat, hamster, rabbit, a couple of cats, a box turtle. My dogs though, have been my favorites. I have owned Australian Shepherds for the past 14 years. I have dabbled in conformation but my passion is in performance activities. My Aussies and I are actively showing in herding and obedience. Together we have achieved multiple titles in both AKC and the Australian Shepherd Club of America. I’ve been one of Pasanita’s novice obedience class trainers for the past 10 years. Watching the dogs and handlers become a team during class is always exciting. I hope to see you in class so you can experience what you and your dog can learn and share together.

Terry brings over 40 years of dog/puppy training and exhibiting experience to the Pasanita Obedience Training Team. I’ve taught all-breed training classes (Obedience, Puppy-KPT, Conformation, and Ring Readiness Classes); and has actively been involved in training, raising, breeding, and exhibiting my own dogs in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Herding, Rally, and Retriever Field Trial performance events over the years. I have owned, bred, and shown champion and obedience Samoyeds for over 35 years and have had several Labrador Retrievers in the past 12 years. Several of them have been High-In-Trial Obedience dogs who were also American and International Champions, including Best in Show and/or Best in Show Specialty winners with National standings. I have shown in AKC, UKC, and International Shows; with several of my Samoyeds being highlighted in “The Complete Samoyed” Book series and used for commercial and advertising photo shoots. I believe training needs to be fun, balanced, and motivating to keep both owner and dog interested in these most formative periods of a puppy’s life. Communication and behavior are heavily emphasized, because often the dog’s mistakes are due to failure to understand what was communicated. I never tire of watching the dog-owner relationship develop through understanding, communication, and learning – especially the puppies – which is the best time to start training! Come down and see our Kindergarten Puppy Training Classes!

Kerry Bell knows competition.

Kerry began competing as a heptathlete as a teenager and continued on through college at USC. She was a member of the U.S. national team for five different Olympic games. Kerry was also a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department for a number of years.

Kerry has owned many dogs in her life, including Afghans, Dalmatians and Irish Setters. When she began obedience training her miniature poodle “Pixie,” she was initially hesitant to compete; she just wanted to enjoy teaching her dog new things. She eventually entered a trial after being encouraged by her Pasanita friends. Kerry, being the ultimate competitor, did well and was hooked.

Before even completing her UDX, Kerry and Pixie won High Combined at the Pasanita Obedience Club Trial, taking on the best of the best in region.

This past year, Kerry and Pixie competed in Florida at the AKC Obedience Classic and are competing in the National Obedience Championship in Ohio. She is close to completing her OTCH, one of the highest honors an obedience team can achieve.

Kerry is an expert in training, whether it be for herself or her dog. Over the last two years, she has assisted and taught several obedience classes at Pasanita.

Bio goes here.

Dogs have always been part of my life. Starting with my dad’s hunting dogs, then later in life with different dog breeds in conformation and obedience, my love of our four-pawed friends has grown strong. Having taken part in a variety of dog training classes and seminars, I’ve gained insight into the needs of dog owners and handlers in understanding how to train their dogs. This involves communication, motivation and mutual respect.

I have trained and shown dogs in conformation and competitive obedience, and have won titles in AKC Rally and Obedience, and earned Trick Dog and Canine Good Citizen awards.

My philosophy is that positive reinforcement training should be fun and motivating for both the handler and dog in learning to work together as a team.