Obedience, Rally-O, Agility
or Family Dog Lessons

Training philosophy: I believe in using the most positive training methods possible. I have 18 years experience training dogs and even more experience teaching people of all ages and abilities. I incorporate clicker training, luring, play-training and gentle hands-on "molding" when appropriate. It is my goal to have a dog who would rather work with its person than do anything else. This does not mean that the dog gets to "run wild" and do whatever it wants. Dogs are most happy and relaxed following a kind, but confident leader. Getting and keeping control of a dog actually improves your relationship with him/her.

Our Training Building:In fall 2004, our new training building was completed. It is a 98' x 54' Morton building with a dedicated dog training area of 70' x 54'. The floor surface is 1/2" thick interlocking Humane stall mats over leveled, packed limestone screenings. This provides a clean, level surface which has lots of "give" to help protect the dogs' joints. In March 2006, we finished the interior our beautiful building. It is completely finished inside with heat, insulation and interior walls.

building interior

Photos of the building construction.

I charge $30 per hour for private lessons. I am available by appointment during the daytime or evenings on most weekdays. I am only occasionally available on weekends as we are out showing, training or spending time with the family.

Location: Lessons are indoors in a heated and insulated pole building on our farm in south-central Wisconsin. We are located between Janesville and Beloit. Drive time is 45 to 60 minutes from the Madison area, 30 minutes from Rockford, IL, and 10 to 15 minutes from Janesville or Beloit.

Competition Obedience: I prefer to start training for all the levels of obedience at one time. The main reason why people (and dogs) think that obedience is not fun, is that they start training only the Novice exercises. Then by the time the dog has earned his/her CD (Companion Dog title), the dog is bored with training and thinks it can only work near the handler. The handler trains dog after dog in this manner and never gets to the really fun stuff in Open and Utility. Even baby dogs can learn the foundation work for jumping (with a bar on the ground), retrieving, doing go-outs and working scent. This is the fun of obedience! Then by the time the dog completes its CD, it is ready or nearly ready to go on for its CDX. My dogs enjoy obedience just as much as agility and yours can too!

Diane Poole and "Sawyer" CD

Agility: I train agility using a clicker/target training method. My first goal is to teach the dog independent obstacle performance. This means that the dog can perform every obstacle by him/herself correctly regardless of where the handler is standing. This allows the handler to be on either side, send the dog ahead, work the dog at a distance and perform crosses more easily. With larger, fast dogs, I train a 2-on / 2-off bottom contact to allow the handler time to catch up and perform crosses at contacts. For toy-breed dogs, I train a running contact. I have assisted students with dogs of all breeds, sizes and speeds.

UCDX AG1 AG2 Wholat's Fiddler on the Roof CDX OA NAJ
Tevye was owned, loved and trained by Cindy Leonard and is missed by all.

My background:I began training dogs in 1989 when we found our first dog, "Penny", a mixed breed. Having never owned a dog before, I began obedience training to avoid behavior problems and build our relationship. I found that I was "hooked". Penny and I trained in competition obedience and tracking. Later, I started added agility with my second dog, "Frolic", a Border Collie. Six years later, I added a second Border Collie, "Joe. In spring 2005, little Mia the Papillon joined our household. I have been interested in Papillons for about 10 years and welcome the opportunity to train a small dog again.

I have a B.S. in Special Education (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and two M.A. degrees in Blind Rehabilitation (Western Michigan University). I began teaching humans professionally in 1986 in the public schools. I have also taught in adult rehab. For many years my dog training life and human teaching life were pretty much separate. In spring of 1999, I started teaching dog training classes at Mad City Dog Training in Madison and taught Competition Obedience, Agility and Family Dog classes there for over four years. I found that my training and experience in teaching allowed me to more effectively teach people to train their dogs.

I am so very proud of my past and current students. They are very successful with their dogs, who are happy and accurate workers. I am glad I could be a part of helping them reach their training goals and bring out the best each individual dog has to offer. Thank you for letting me "share" your dogs!

Last update: March 16, 2008

Copyright 2003-2008. This entire website and its contents are the property of Firefly Fields and may not be used without written permission.