Our Members

The Executive Board:

President/Training Director: Lisa Clark with Vala SchH3 AWD1 FH1 CGC B/HOT

My introduction to "dog training" came in the early 80's when my family was looking for some help with a rather dominant male Dobe. A couple of classes later I was hooked. In 1992, bored to death with AKC obedience, I contacted several local SchH clubs, joined one with my then 7 year old GSD, joined USA, and have never looked back. I am currently working my home bred females, Vala SchH3 AWD1 FH1 CGC and Deja BH AD, and my male, Donovan BH AD.

 

 

VP: Marcia Cavan

with Navarre BH NAJ JJ HOT

Marcia has been actively training and competing with multiple breeds of dogs since 1980 when she completed the requirements for an AKC Companion Dog (CD) title on her first Pharaoh Hound, Rohirrm's Kestrel. Kestrel was one of the first of her breed to achieve this obedience title. Since then Marcia has completed multiple obedience titles on 4 different Pharaoh Hounds along with a Whippet, a rescued mix breed and a German Shepherd Dog. Marcia and her Pharaoh Hound "Bristol" (Ch. Galadrial's Dream Weaver UD SC FCh CGC) became the first in her breed in AKC history to obtain a Utility Dog (UD) title. To this date Bristol is still the only Pharaoh Hound with a UD. Marcia also competed at the 2001 World Series of Dog Obedience with her rescued mixed breed, Jazzabelle, who went on to get her UKC CDX and multiple agility titles. Over the years Marcia has also competed and titled a number of dogs in many other areas of dog training including tracking, conformation, and has had multiple nationally ranked lure coursing dogs. Marcia currently is working with her 5 year old working line German Shepherd Dog, Navarre BH NAJ JJ, and looks forward to many wonderful years competing with Navarre BH NAJ JJ in Schutzhund, AKC obedience and agility. Marcia and Navarre BH NAJ JJ also have fun with dock diving, skijoring in the winter and have even done some herding.

 

Treasurer/secretary, training helper: Fred Willey

with his dog Kane BH HOT

 

Full Members:

Sean Murphy: National level trial helper and training helper with his dog Varick BH HOT.

 

Al Johnson/Helper in training

and Banner BH HOT

My last dog was already trained in Schutzhund. So I had some limited experience with the sport. She was the best behaved and the best trained dog I have ever owned. I wanted to learn to train my next dog in this way. The main reason is obedience. In this phase the dog learns to behave like a good citizen. The handler learns how to properly control the dog in street situations or around other people and animals. The protection phase is not to teach the dog to bite, but to teach the dog when it is appropriate to bite and when not to bite. It also
builds the dog’s self confidence. Finally, although tracking is not my favorite part, it is part of the sport. It helps keep the dog multifaceted and is an important phase in titling the
dog. The dogs enjoy all three phases and love to work in them. I am working my young GSD, Banner BH.

 

Bill Hanna - Club level trial helper, training helper with his female Rogue SchH2 TR3 HOT.

Aida Severini

and Lobo SchH1 CGC HOT

Coleen Stomber

and Jewel HOT

Donna Trouten

and Varda SchH1 OB1 TR1 CGC HOT

Donna is also working her young males Drigon BH and Ozzy

Jason Lin

and Ike SchH1 AD

Falon Gray

and Kastle

Our Associate Members:

Steve Robinson
With Yo SchH3 FH2 HOT
Steve started in AKC where he earned multiple UDT and UDTX titles, as well as numerous highs-in-trials. Throughout his career, he has trained a number of dogs to Schutzhund 3, FH, and FH2 titles, and has been on the podium at numerous Regional and National events. Steve has competed on the World Team seven times with two different dogs trained from puppies, and has served twice as USA Team Captain. He has also conducted numerous seminars on all phases of Schutzhund, puppy development, and canine behavior, and has coached many other dog sport competitors. Steve has also worked with several different police K9 departments. He has served as a business consultant to the pet industry, and as a guest on several local radio shows.
Steve has qualified as an expert witness on canine behavior in the Michigan court system, and is a licensed AKC provisional tracking judge and Canine Good Citizen evaluator. He presently has two male German Shepherds, one a Schutzhund 3, the other a Schutzhund 3, FH2

Brandon McDaniel

with Louie BH HOT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Barrington

and Dora HOT

Mark Ptaszek

and Fiasco SchH2 AD HOT

Mary LaPorte

and Aries SchH2 B/HOT
Nancy Brigham

 

And Our Honorary Member:

Bill Szentmiklosi Jr.

Bill is the cofounder and past president of SMSPC. A USA/DPO judge and our most respected teacher.

Thank you Nate Harves for allowing us to use this photo