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, funerals and weddings. 

Those most important to me: 

My husband Tom 

My daughter Kelly 

My grandson Aaron 

My three companions Petey, Bobbi, and Lucky Lula Belle and Abby, Kid, and Lexi will be in 

my heart forever 

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 

Northwoods Boxer Club 

United States Boxer Association 

I teach dog classes at: 

Coulee Region Humane Society-La Crosse, Wisconsin 

Good Dog Center-Decorah, Iowa 

Pet Me Scratch Me Doggie Daycare, Grooming and Training-La Crosse, Wisconsin 

Rising Sun Animal Wellness-Viroqua, Wisconsin 

4-H Dog Project-Caledonia, Minnesota 

Luster Height Correctional Facility-Harpers Ferry, Iowa 

I am certified as a: 

Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) 

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 a field trainer for the Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. When they have a client in the La Crosse area, I am called upon to help with 20 hours of further training in order for the client and their dog to pass their final test to be certified as a Service Dog. 

My most recent accomplishment was becoming a Certificated Pet Dog Trainer and being able to put those little initials behind my name…..Shirley Richards, CPDT!  I now join 1,500 plus 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!!