Johanna with Madeline, her first agility dog

Johanna has owned 14 dogs, including 11 different breeds since the age of 12. They range in size from a 5 pound Toy Fox Terrier to an Old English Sheepdog. Three of them have been rescues.

In 1989 she earned an AKC Utility Dog title on a Bichon Frise (which was number 3 non-sporting dog in the country) and in 1990 a Companion Dog title on a Flat Coated Retriever. In 2007 her Pembroke Corgi earned an AKC Companion Dog title and went High in Trial at an all breed AKC trial. She has trained and worked a Border Collie and Australian Shepherd on her sheep at her farm for seven years.

Currently Johanna is competing in AKC Agility events with two Toy Fox Terriers and an Italian Greyhound. Her Toy Fox Terrier Blink is nationally ranked and will again be competing in the AKC Agility Invitational in Long Beach, California in December.

Showing aside, Johanna's main focus has always been canine behavior and working with beginner owners and dogs to help them construct a fulfilling relationship that leads to a lifetime of joy for both. She firmly believes that every dog deserves a chance to be the best he can be at whatever he does, be it pet or companion. Johanna is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER

Johanna is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. When she is not training dogs she is spending time with her parrots, horses and many other animals on her 45 acre farm near Milwaukee.

Nothing in Life is Free is a phrase that was coined by Jean Donaldson who wrote 'Culture Clash', a book about human/canine relationships and how we see each other.

Real Life Recall When I talk to my 2nd month beginners' class about what their goals are for their canine companions almost everyone says (sometimes in desperation), 'I just want him to come when I call him.

Resource Guarding Resource Guarding is a very common problem in many dogs. Some dogs would never think of it. They defer easily to us. These are thought of as submissive or 'nice' dogs. However, big or small, well bred

Understanding Reinforcement Understanding how dogs think and what shapes their behavior is the first and most important step in communicating with your dog, for that is what dog training is all about ... Communication ...