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THE TEAM THAT MADE US THE BEST IN MCHENRY COUNTY

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KRISTINA

Obedience, Rally, Nosework, Head Trainer

I have been training dogs since 2014 and competing since 2016. I help people learn competition obedience, rally, reactivity/aggression, resource guarding, clicker training, shaping and amongst many other techniques that I have gathered from my many mentors. I'm continuously learning new techniques to help whatever team that is in front of me. I love training and inspiring others to work towards their dreams and encourage people to want to show what their dog can do in any sport. When I am not training I am helping others in the mental health world. I am a social worker by day working as a mental health counselor in private practice. 

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I currently have a German shepherd named Bane. Bane has been a journey, Bane has struggled with human reactivity (bite history), dog reactivity (bite history), medical issues and resource guarding. With all these issues we have learned to manage and recondition we have been able to earn him a CD Companion dog title under 2 years with scores 190+, all first places and he made it to the top 10 of German shepherds in the USA for AKC novice dog titles for high scores. Bane and I obtained CDX companion dog of excellent with all placements and being recognized as the #1 Open A GSD in the US in AKC for 2018. Bane was invited to the National Obedience Championship 2x for Novice and Open. Bane and I went onto the Rally ring Earning RACH, RM2, RAE2 with over 30 High combines and High Triple Q’s multiple placements and awards.


Bane and I have been invited every year since the rally novice title to the Rally National Championship. Bane was recognized as number 7 in GSDs by Front & Finish for the American Kennel Club Rally Master class earning 77 points on our Rally Master title and RACH title journey! Bane was recognized as 2nd GSD out of all, 7th in all herding breeds out of all in AKC Rally presented by Front & Finish! Bane also competed in nosework achieving multiple 1st places and high in trials/class! Bane and I were working towards the UD utility dog title until we saw some more medical issues/behavioral which has put him into retirement to enjoy long walks, swimming and couch time. 

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Bane: RACH Shewana’s Handsome King CGCA, CGCU, TKI, CDX, RM2. RAE2, TDI, RATN, TDI, SNC, SNB, SNE, UKC – Nosework Elite

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Tessa, a conformation Boxer who was born in August 2017. Tessa earned her CD with all HIT (High in Trial) 1st place finishes with one score of 197.5/200. Tessa was recognized as 3rd top boxer for Novice obedience. Tessa achieved her conformation championship title. We are currently training for IGP/Schutzund to earn our BH/IGP1 hopefully!

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Tessa: CH Cloud N Wilk’s Audacious Darling TDI, CGCA, CGCU, CD, RE, TKN

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Klaus a Czech/west German working line German shepherd. Klaus was born October 2021. 

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My Newest addition is Kimber Anilorak daughter of IGP 2021 World champ Gero Berounske Basty and Extreme Orex Aykmar. I will be working towards competing with her in IGP/Schutzund.

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TIFFANY

obedience, conformation

My name is Tiffany and I have worked at Happy Tails since 2016. I got my first Boxer, Jewel, through Amy, the owner, in 2016. Amy made jewel a conformation champion and Jewel and I have also earned titles in Rally, Obedience and CGC. Jewel had puppies in 2020 and I kept one, a female named Sapphire. Sapphire is working towards her championship with one sibling already finishing his Championship, and the other two on their way. Both Jewel and Sapphire are used as my demo dogs in the classes that I teach. I have always had a love for dogs and it has become a passion to train them. I teach obedience classes and I also help train in conformation. Whether someone wants a show dog or just a well behaved family pet, I will train with those intentions in mind. There is no one way to train. Each dog and person is different in how they learn. I will try all the ways I know to help you and your dog become a team. Training builds a bond that you will have with your dog forever.

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KarIn

Barn Hunt

My name is Karin Magnuson and I am thrilled to be joining the Happy Tail Ranch Family.  I trained my first dog when I was 16 years old. He was a shep / St Bernard mix my brothers and I found in the woods. As a teenager I spent the summer on my Uncle’s Horse farm, he raised Standardbreds for Harness racing trotters and pacers.  My job was to work the foals and years to halter leads and ground reining. I joined the Air Force after high school and spent a year at Lackland Air force base. In boot camp and tech school I volunteered to help with the military working dogs. I served 8 years between active duty and reserve time. 

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Upon returning home, I started working with the local animal shelter, as an adoption consultant/ admin. I did this for almost 3 years.  I left the shelter to become an Animal Control Officer and a Humane Investigator, which I did for 23 years. At the same time, I was working with a local trainer Marge Gibbs at collar and Leash.  Marge referred me to a local park district to teach classes there. I am still teaching classes today for over 25 year. My classes are Puppy, Basic and Advanced Obedience class, Beginner Agility, Intro to Nose work, Rally Classes, triball, Therapy dog, Trick dog, and a new class we call ruff and rally.

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I currently train my 3 Dobermans in conformation, obedience, rally, barn hunt, nosework, and have just started dock diving, and tracking with them.  My dogs have many titles and we enjoy going to trials most weekends.

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I am also a Judge and evaluator, for the Following, S.T.A.R Puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, TRICK DOG, FARM DOG, AKC ATT TEST, and LURE COURSING ABILITY TEST (CAT). I am currently waiting for approval for TDI to be able to certify therapy dogs. 

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Gena

Agility, Conformation, Obedience

I've been training and competing dogs in obedience for over 30 years. I've worked in shelters, dog kennels, animal hospitals and am a registered nurse.

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I started training and competing in AKC agility 13 years ago, titling 5 boxers to excellent and masters levels. It's a sport that I find passionate, rewarding and fun to share with your dog.

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I bred 4 boxer litters and show in conformation. I've taken many group wins as an Owner Handler. I also assist Professional Handler, Amy Bieri in the ring as well as ringside.

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Ch Happy Tail's Moment Of Trust CD BN RN OA OAJ NF ACT1

 

GCH JoKar's N Happy Tail's Blonde Moments DOM CD RE MX MXJ

 

Happy Tail's Blonde Ambition CD AX AXJ

 

Happy Tail's Bold Contender CD (2 CDX legs)

 

AX AXJ Bruin's Blizzard CDX (2 UD legs)

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Chloe

obedience, Reactivity/AgGression, Fit dog 1 & 2

I am Chloe and I am an elementary school teacher and dog trainer. I started my dog training journey with my rescue, Flora. She was found as a stray in Texas and came to us leash reactive, and only knowing "sit" and "paw". When I first got her, she was so wild on walks, she would practically pull me down the street, especially at the sight of another dog or bicyclist. Being a new dog owner, I had little idea about the many different methods of dog training, so I went to Google to find training classes. Before HTR, I went to a facility with Flora that rarely used positive reinforcement, which increased Flora's anxiety and diminished her confidence from over-corrections. Although Flora's obedience in a controlled environment improved, her reactivity did not. I decided to switch to Happy Tails, where another trainer, Kristina, has been my mentor ever since. She has shown me the importance of a confident dog and building trust between the owner and dog to correct behavior issues. Through trial and error, I have learned how essential balanced dog training is! Dogs need both positive reinforcement and redirection for a well-rounded companion! Now, Flora is in advanced obedience and nose work classes at Happy Tails and has come so far! I am eager to help owners understand their dog's body language and behavior to build a solid foundation for training! 
Check out @chloe_and_canines on instagram for a peek into classes!

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Callie

obedience, Service Dog Training

I’m a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist but my passion for training dogs was rooted in me since childhood.


At first it was pure motivation to not be dragged down the street by my childhood hound mix “Sam” who nearly doubled my size - returning with scrapped knees every time—I didn’t care, because I was “successfully walking my dog”.
I quickly grew to love everything about dogs and the psychology behind training them. As a a CTRS, the avenue that always sparked my interest was how animals could be incorporated to better the lives of people who were ill, sick or injured, so I told myself my goal will always be to work with animals & people to improve lives.

I truly believe that if you want a better dog, you need to be a better person- education is power when it comes to dog training! Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

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I currently have a 4 year old American Great Dane named “Knox” who has taught me more (than any person) about how to train the dog in front of you-not the dog you’re seeking, a skill I will never take for granted.

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I also have a 3.5 year old German Shepherd who is my Service Dog.

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I have been training service dogs for over seven years and it is truly my heart’s passion. I have spoken at local, state and national levels on the education and training of Service, Therapy, Working Dogs. I feel there is no greater purpose than to help someone achieve independence and accessible life through the assistance of a service dog. I can’t wait to help you & your dog live a life of independence!

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Tritan’s Legacy Knox of North CGC, CGCA, CGCU, TKN, VHM

Legends of The Dark North Sergeant CGC, CGCA, CGCU, TKN, VHM, SD

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Dave

obedience

My name is Dave and I am a retired construction worker with ten years of volunteer training experience during my off seasons. Most specifically working with rescue dogs through Happy Tails and various rescue groups. My primary focus has always been to help troubled dogs find a balance with their new owners and have a chance a new life.

 

I have more recently taken on a new role in training dogs with more unique behavior issues, and also assisting owners in learning to communicate better with their dogs for a better bond and a more enjoyable life with their furry family member.  Life is a journey full of activities best shared. 

 

I consider myself a fairly "old school" trainer that started learning the standard methods back in the early 1990s. As every dog is unique, every instructor is a wealth of knowledge. My sights have never been on certifications or awards, but on an animals quality of life. There is no one best way to train. The key is finding what works best for each particular dog. Expose yourself to multiple methods and styles and keep adapting, modifying and adjusting to establish a connection with the subject and build off of that. 

 

I am a firm believer that animals (like us) need exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization. The foundation for coexistence starts with training as a team to develop a bond and respect between the handler and animal. Learning should be fun for all involved. 

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Steve

obedience

My name is Steven Morris, and I come to Happy Tails and dog training in a roundabout way.  Having been a high school teacher for over 30 years, I am now retired.  This has given me the chance to pursue a passion that has interested me for over 25 years.  I have been training dogs all that time and have found that teaching children and teaching dogs (and their owners) have a lot in common.  Patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency are the keys to teaching anyone.

 

I currently have two rescue dogs that have taught me so much about dog training and the joy that can come from having a well trained family pet. They are trained in obedience, nosework, and barn hunt.  They are graduates of Happy Tails classes and are great examples of what completing the training courses can do.  

 

I have been training dogs for over 25 years and I have shown dogs in obedience and rally.  I learned old-school techniques and expectations which I bring to my classes and all my training experiences. These techniques emphasize consistency, positive reinforcement and appropriate corrections.  My goal is to help people and their dogs learn the skills that will result in a great family member/pet.

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Adria

obedience, agility

Adria started training dogs professionally in 2009. Through the years, she has trained with many different trainers in an effort to learn as many different techniques as possible. She believes that, much like humans, dogs learn differently from one another and she needs to be able to adapt her methods to help the dogs and owners receive the best possible training.

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Adria owns 4 dogs of her own, Loki and Fayte are Belgian Malinois and Tosh and Pryzm are her Border Collie. All her dogs have training in personal protection and sport dog protection. Tosh is the 2nd Border Collie ever to receive his PSA (Protection Sport Association) PDC title. Loki and Tosh also both hold several Agility titles. She hopes to soon have Fayte competing at high levels in the agility ring.

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One of Adria’s favorite accomplishments was having Tosh featured in a Pedigree commercial showcasing many of the tricks he knows.

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In addition to Adria’s training accomplishments, she obtained her veterinary assistant certification in 2010. In 2019, she also earned her Pet CPR and Pet First Aid Certification.

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Adria is excitedly awaiting the opportunity to help you have the dog of your dreams!

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Karina

obedience, Therapy Dog, Trick Dog

My name is Karina and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Happy Tails Ranch family. I've been teaching dogs for six years and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have experience teaching a variety of breeds for a range of purposes, including service dogs, therapy dogs, dogs that are blind and deaf, advanced obedience, aggression, and reactivity. I've been training my own Australian Shepherd, Koda, since she was just 8 weeks old. We both like to compete in agility and dock diving. I am always interested in learning more about dogs, and it makes me happy to see both dogs and their owners succeed over time. I have learned so much from the crew here at Happy Tails Ranch and continue to expand my knowledge from every dog I meet.

 

Dakota's Been There Done That NA NAJ ACT2J CGCA CGCU TKP

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Ashley

obedience

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am so happy to be a part of the Happy Tails Ranch Family! I have always had a huge passion working with animals. My love for training started with horses. My mom was never fond when I constantly chose the less trained horses, but I liked the challenge and it was rewarding to see the progress of teaching the horse how to do specific maneuvers or build their confidence to overcome their fears of novel situations. 

 

When I was 13 years old I got my first dogs, Rocky and Tyson. They were both Boxers and I had a new adventure ahead training these boys. Having them sparked my passion for animals and opened my mind into dog training. I learned I was capable of teaching a multitude of tricks from rolling over to saying “I love you” and also having manners to stay out of the kitchen when cooking and not jumping on guests.This love for training then leaked into a string of volunteer opportunities at many shelters where I worked with many dogs that had been returned or had difficulty being placed.

 

My first dog career was becoming a pet groomer. I learned a lot about handling multiple breeds and ages of dogs. Eventually, I began taking on clients that had been previously turned away by other groomers or needed sedation. I grew a large passion for helping people and their dogs and found reward in their confidence for my abilities to care for their dogs. I groomed throughout most of my college experience while I acquired my Bachelor’s in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. While in college, I also did an internship with a Humane Society. There I worked in the shelter training dogs to prepare them for their forever homes, educated after school children on dog behavior and how to behave around new dogs, and placed dogs for Inmate Rehabilitation Programs. I also worked in the field training and traveling with Therapy dogs, 

 

I now own a 3.5 year old German Shepherd, Yokai and a 4.5 Czech/American line German Shepherd named Karma. Karma is the reason I chose to stick to my dog training path. As a puppy she began exhibiting very anxious behaviors, especially when left alone. She would break out of crates and eat anything in her path. After we moved, she then started showing signs of reactivity to dogs, people, and cars on walks; lunging at barking at them as they passed. We learned to cope with these situations and ease Karma’s anxieties so she could be left alone and also walk amongst crowds with busy activity. This led to Karma earning her CGC, CGCU, and CGCA. It also opened our world to dogs sports that we compete in from Updog frisbee competitions, to Fast CAT, agility, and other fun recreational sports. She has come to teach me more than I have ever taught her and we continue to expand on our skills and constantly look for the next exciting adventure ahead. 

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