2011 Agility Camp
August 20 - 21
Sugar Bush Farm, Stephentown NY
Camp Instructor Biographies
Terri Cesarek
Terri Cesarek became addicted to agility
after experiencing the confidence it gave her All-American Mandy, a rescue dog
found wandering on a highway. Wanting to help her shy pup, Terri began obedience
classes in search of a way to help Mandy overcome her fears. This was the
beginning of a perpetual interest in canine behavior that has developed through
experience and a natural gift in reading dogs. In 1993 while competing at an
obedience match Terri and Mandy were introduced to agility when a local group
presented a demo. Afterward the group let spectators try some of the equipment.
That was it, they were immediately hooked! Together Terri and Mandy learned how
much fun the sport of agility could be. It was the start of an amazing journey.
The journey continues with her Border Collies Chase!,
Shine and Rise. Both Chase! and Shine have achieved their Agility Dog
Championships (ADCH) and have been Grand Prix semi-finalists at the USDAA Grand
Prix of Dog Agility World Championships. Shine has also completed both his ADCH
Silver and Lifetime Achievement Award Silver titles in 2010. Youngster Rise
completed his ADCH in 2010 after being in competition just a short time. Both
Shine and Rise attended USDAA Cynosport World Games in 2010 with Shine being a
semi-finalist in both GP and Steeplechase. Rise was a semi-finalist in
Steeplechase after placing 2nd in the 1st round and was 4th overall in
individual scoring for the 22” Team classes. Terri attributes her continued
success with Shine and Rise to the fundamental skills they work on as part of
their regular training program.
Terri’s dogs are wonderful teachers helping her understand the importance of the relationship between dog and handler. It is a key element in her training, as she helps her students realize the joy of playing the game of agility with their canine companions. Terri believes in positive training methods helping to create a dog that is confident and eager to learn. She encourages students to build a strong foundation which is an essential part of any training program. Coaching people on finding a clear, consistent handling method to provide the best communication to their dog on course is Terri’s passion. Her goal is to keep training fun for both the handlers and their dogs establishing an environment that cultivates learning. She enjoys helping each dog and handler strengthen their relationship by learning to work as a team going on to achieve success at whatever level they wish to pursue.
To further her own education, Terri attends seminars and camps with a select group of the country’s top handlers striving to learn all she can to be both a better handler and instructor to her students. Whether teaching or participating herself as a student, she is constantly studying dogs, people and agility thereby honing her keen observation skills even more. Terri thoroughly enjoys teaching and offers weekly classes and private lessons at Canine Sports Center in Goshen, CT and Paws N’ Effect in Hamden, CT. Additionally she offers seminars and skill building focus sessions when time allows.
"I enjoy my dogs, they are my best friends. I do agility for fun and to be with my dogs. I am serious about this sport and love the competition, but no matter what, I try to leave the ring with a smile. We always have fun and it is that fun I wish to pass onto my students." – Terri
Monique Plinck
With
16 years of agility training and 5 competitive dogs to her credit,
Monique Plinck has taught the sport of dog agility to hundreds of
enthusiasts. As owner of Criterion Agility, Monique’s students have gone
on to the highest levels of competition, while others enjoy just the training,
and fun in class.
No
matter your goal, your fitness level or your dog, Monique makes it fun and safe
for all. She brings energy, challenging sessions and rewarding experiences
for handlers and their dogs.
Monique‘s exposure to a large variety of training methods and handling styles
allow her to adapt methods to best fit each dog and handler. Her understanding
of general dog behavior along with her ability to break down all skills to
levels everyone can understand means all are successful.
Monique’s own dogs have
provided many lessons in patience, perseverance and understanding of canine
behavior; while her own physical setbacks have granted her a greater
understanding of humility, patience and determination
Monique works to make ALL dog and handlers teams the best they can be through consistency, clarity and fun.
Tracy Sklenar
has been training dogs and competing in dog agility for
over 10 years. She is the Training Director of Leader of the Pack (
Tracy has competed successfully in agility with a variety of dogs of shapes, sizes and temperaments. Currently, she shares her life with 5 dogs: 2 Dalmatians (11 year old Pierce and 10 year old Samson, both retired from agility), a Rat Terrier (8 year old Rebound) and 2 mixed breeds (4 year old Export and 17 month old Matrix). In the ring, their runs are noted for accuracy, consistency and speed! Besides putting numerous titles on the dogs, Tracy and her canine partners have earned multiple wins and placements at local, Regional and National events.
In 2009, Rebound and Export both enjoyed tremendous success in the ring: Rebound began the year by finishing 5th overall in the Ontario regionals, followed by finishing 8th overall at Canadian Nationals, earning multiple placements along the way. Rebound ran clean and fast in every run at the USDAA World Cynosport Games, earning his way to a 5th place finish in the 2009 Performance Grand Prix Finals!
Export won or placed in a variety of classes at Regionals in
both the US and Canada, including winning the Regional Grand Prix Finals at the
USDAA Rocky Mountain Regional. In July, Export represented the U.S. at the
European Open, represented the US at the 2010 EO and will do so again in
2011! At the 2009 USDAA World Cynosport Games, Export ran fast &
clean, garnering a 7th place finish in the highly competitive Finals of the
Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championships! Export made the finals for
the 2010 Grand Prix of Dog Agiiity World Championships as well!
Export has started off 2010 with a bang by winning the Triathlon at the USDAA Spring Festival in Virginia - he was the overall winner of his division, including the dogs that attended the Texas event!
Baby dog Matrix has begun her career as a demo dog and will
hopefully make her agility debut in the spring of 2010.
Tracy uses positive reinforcement, games and shaping to build brilliant behaviors in the dogs while teaching the handlers to be consistent and positive in their handling and dog training. She emphasizes teamwork, consistency, mental focus, play and fun for both the handler and the dog. She also has extensive experience teaching and coaching, instructing local classes, teaching clinics & seminars throughout North America. Tracy is once again serving as the Manager for Team Canada at the IFCS World Agility Championships in the U.K. in May, 2010, reprising her role from the 2008 event in Belgium. She has learned from and is proud to use the methods of Susan Garrett, Greg Derrett, Laura Derrett, Bob Bailey, Susan Salo and Greg Louganis.