Waggin' Tails Dog Training
Waggin’
Tails Dog Training is committed to improving the owner-dog relationship through
positive training. Our emphasis is
on teaching the right behaviors and rewarding them rather than punishing the
wrong behaviors. By focusing on
what your dog is doing right and helping him to know what that is, you get your
dog’s cooperation and teach him to want to please you. We have found that this approach builds
trust and a much stronger bond than correction based methods. We welcome mixed breeds and pure bred
dogs alike in all of our classes.
We offer a comprehensive and
innovative obedience program
designed to better meet people’s individual needs and give each dog the time he
needs to learn. Our obedience
program teaches practical pet dog training that every dog needs to know with a
big dose of fun thrown in. The
goal for graduation is for the dogs to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (the only
AKC activity that mixed breeds are allowed to participate in). We also offer a competition obedience
class geared to Rally
style obedience as well as private lessons to prepare you for obedience trials.
We have an agility program where you learn how
to direct your dog around an obstacle course designed for dogs. This is such a fun activity for dogs;
it’s like going to the playground.
It is great exercise for both the dog and handler as well as being a
confidence builder, energy outlet, and quite simply a fast-paced fun time with
your dog. We have classes from the
introductory level to competition readiness. Whether you just want to have fun or are serious about
competing (mixed breeds can compete in USDAA
and NADAC agility), you and your dog will
love these classes.
We also offer private lessons and behavior counseling
for anyone that needs or wants more individual or specialized training, as well
as providing working trials training.
Kim Donnell, owner
Kim Donnell is the owner and head trainer of Waggin’
Tails. She has been training dogs
in the Austin area since 1993 and is committed to teaching people to train
their dogs using gentle positive techniques. Kim joined the Association of
Pet Dog Trainers in 1996, and has expanded her training horizons at APDT
conferences every year since then.
Major influences to her training approach are too numerous to list, but
include John Rogerson, Donna Duford, Terry Ryan, and Esher, Kya, Mako, Piper,
Ruger, and Cassie (her dogs). Kim
has participated in numerous training seminars, with topics including Behavior,
Instruction, Aggression, Training People, and Training Your Dog.
Kim’s initial professional dog training activities in 1993
were focused on the sport of agility, and since then she has trained hundreds
of dogs and their owners for fun and competitive agility. During that time, she
has competed with five dogs under USDAA, NADAC, and AKC, and is currently
competing with Mako and Piper at the highest levels of all three
organizations. Kim is also a
sanctioned USDAA agility judge. In
addition, Kim has participated in agility workshops taught by trainers such as
Rachael Long, Penny Weingartner, Celia Bourne and Elicia Calhoun. In 1995, Kim and her husband organized
and funded the Travis Agility Group, which
has since grown to become one of the largest agility groups in Texas.
In addition to agility, Kim has been involved in working trials (a British based canine
versatility sport) since it’s introduction in the United States in 1995. Kim and her husband have been involved in
the definition and promotion of the sport in the States, have regularly hosted
workshops and trials by British trainers, and have instructed and judged at the
WCD level. Mako and Piper hold the
first two working trials titles (WCDex) in the United States, and we all
continue to be active in the sport.
The pack leaders – Mako, Piper, &
Cassie
Mako WCDex WUD AD OA OAJ NAC NGC OJC CGC is a Belgian Malinois that we got in 1995 when he
turned out to be “too soft” his first owner. He is incredibly high drive, and is willing to do anything
for a pat, toy, or treat. He has
been a pistol and loads of fun from the beginning. He currently competes in the highest levels of agility, and
holds the first tracking level working trials title in the U.S. In addition, at one time he trained to
air-scent for Search and Rescue, and he is the reigning champion in couch
lounging at our place. He loves
working anytime, anywhere, with anyone!
Piper WCDex AD OA NAJ NAC OGC NJC CGC is a Belgian Malinois that we got in 1995. She was running the streets with
another dog and was picked up and taken to a shelter. As scared as she was at the time, I don’t think she would
have had much of a chance of finding another home. We thought she’d never be able to go to shows and deal with
crowds of dogs and people. Well,
she now also actively competes in agility, working trials, and cat
circling. She is my snuggle dog.
Cassie is a Border Collie
that found herself in the shelter and then our home in 2000 at about 6 months of
age. Our guess is that she jumped
out of her yard and got lost, since the first thing she did when we put her in
our yard was hop right out as if our 4 foot fence wasn’t even there! She is so much fun to train and is the
guinea pig for all my newest training techniques. She’s almost old enough to begin competing in agility and
working trials and we can hardly wait.
She loves to work especially if her Frisbee or tug toys are
involved. She also LOVES cats and
goats – she keeps asking when she gets to learn herding!
Waggin' Tails Dog Training (about)
Kim Donnell, owner (about)
2016 Rowe Loop,
Pflugerville, TX 78660 (map)
(512) 990-2016
kim at waggin-tails dot com
(email)
http://www.waggin-tails.com
(home)
These pages created, maintained & copyright by Mark Donnell.