Sharon Persey Student

Sharon Persey

SHARON PERSEY

AGILITY- HERDING STUDENT

I have had an interest in agility since its conception. I made equipment at home (scaled down for shelties) when I saw how valuable it is to building confidence in the “show dog”. I would “play” agility in my yard if I never competed, just for this value as a socialization tool for my "show dogs". I have been trying herding since the early 90's - doing some early testing with NO instinct to be found. Wendy (AKC/Int CH Leodens Wishful Thinking (2 BOB) RN HT PT CGC HCT) was my first "herding" dog. She got her HT and PT but I was not able to continue her training. Several of her puppies have shown instinct and/or earned titles in AHBA.

I started training at Performance Dogs In Action in the fall of 2002. That summer I became a co-owner of a little tri color sheltie - Ethan. I called Nola hoping she would take an 8 month old shy sheltie in a class - looking for socialization as much as agility training. This was the beginning of a great journey for me and Ethan - and the dogs that came later including Ashley, Korina, Suzy Q - not to mention a wonderful friendship with Nola and her constant companions - 4 border collies and an aussie.

Thanks to Nola and her patience and wonderful training methods Ethan has earned Agility titles - (AKC) NA NAJ - (CPE) CL1-R CL1-F CL1-H (DOCNA) C-BSLA C-BSA - Herding titles - (AKC) HT (AHBA) HCTs JHDd - Rally Obedience titles (AKC) RN RA, and has shined in the conformation ring and now has 5 AKC Points, 1 Major, 1 BOB. These are MAJOR accomplishments for that shy little 8 month old puppy who first met Nola in September of 2002. Ethan is a great example of what agility and positive training can do for any dog.

In April of 2004 Ethan sired a pretty "girl" we named SuzyQ - At six months when she showed herding instinct Nola started her herding training. she also spent her second summer teaching most of her agility basics. Suzy Q's accomplishments to date include agility titles (AKC) NA (DOCNA) C-BSLA - Herding titles (AKC) HT PT (AHBA) HTCs JHDd JHDs Rally Obedience Titles (AKC) RN Nola even squeaked an HTAD 1 course 3 qualifying leg on geese at our AHBA trial. Suzy Q is also a show dog with several Reserve Winners Bitches - we are still looking for her first points but we know she will finish. She even finds time for a little therapy work causing smiling faces

I have had so many accomplishments in the last three years and over and over and over I let Nola know that none of them would have been possible without her and PERFORMANCE DOGS IN ACTION. The agility and herding instruction she has given me, the training she has put on my dogs, and the opportunity to teach Rally have molded my dogs into wonderful performance and show dogs.

We have two puppies starting this year. Mona and Johnny. Watch for them in all venues - they will surely be PDIA superstars. I know all my friends at PERFORMANCE DOGS IN ACTION will be rooting for them.