Getting to know Shirley Richards, CPDT 

Background:

I grew up on a farm in Minnesota with horses and dogs. I first started my experience with training dogs by calling Cathy Hubert-Markos at La Crosse Dog Training and asking her if there was any hope for a 3 year old Beagle? I was told that yes there was hope, and indeed there was!! I went on to compete in obedience, agility and tracking with this same beagle. And so it started….my love of training dogs.

I took about 3 years of classes with my beagle and boxer. Then I started being an assistant and helping out with classes, mopping up puppy pee! On to instructing new puppy owners how to get their pups to sit to eventually teaching the whole class. I was with La Crosse Dog Training for about 10 years as a class instructor. I have trained or competed in Obedience, Conformation, Agility, Tracking, and Rally.   

My other interest is in reading…..dog books of course. I also attend many dog related seminars to keep up my teaching skills.  I am also an organist and play for church services and funerals.

Titles and Certifications earned:

AKC-Companion Dog Title with a Beagle and a Boxer 

AKC-Rally Novice Title with a Beagle

AKC-Rally Advanced Title with a Beagle

AKC-Novice Agility Title with a Beagle

AKC-Novice Agility Jumpers Title with a Beagle

USA-BOX-Agility Certificate with a Beagle

USA-BOX-Agility Jumpers Certificate with a Beagle

USA-BOX-Schutzhund Begleithund (German Companion Dog Title) with a Boxer

Canine Good Citizen with a Beagle and Boxer

Therapy Dog through Therapy Dog International with a Beagle and Boxer

Member of:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

United States Boxer Association

I teach dog classes at:

Coulee Region Humane Society, Inc. - Onalaska, Wisconsin

I am certified as a:

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (CGC)

Therapy Dog International Evaluator (TDI)

Wisconsin 4-H Dog Judge

Judging experience:

Provisional judge for Minnesota

Numerous 4-H dog shows in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin that include Obedience, Agility, and Showmanship

 Other experience:

I am very proud and honored to be a Certificated Pet Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed.  Being able to place those initials behind my name means I am able to help dogs and their families, providing them confidence in my training and knowledge!  I am 1 of 1,500+ Certificated Pet Dog Trainers in the United States, Canada, Austria, Singapore, Japan, Australia, and the Bahamas.

Stop in the Coulee Region Humane Society or call me...I can talk dog all day!!

Dog Trainer Shirley Richards and her canine family.

From left to right:

Petey - 6 year old male Boxer

Lucky - 4 year old female Beagle

Bobbi - 10 year old female Beagle

Red - 3 year old male Red Bone Coon Hound