Meet Our Instructors

 
Becky Browning

Classes taught:  - I have been instructing a Beginner I class for 8 years; 2 as an assistant and 6 as “lead instructor”.

Breeds:  Shetland Sheepdog (1), Airedale Terriers (2)

Titles and Awards: 

U-CD, CDX; Canadian CD, CDX, UD; AKC CD, CDX., UD, UDX.

Fletch, my Shetland sheepdog, and I have received the Evansville Obedience Club’s Jody Kimm award for achieving the AKC UDX title; also the club’s “Team” award and the Darlene Blumenaur award 2 years in a row for Highest AKC Scores.

 Biography:   I have been a member of EOC for 11 years and have been competing in AKC, UKC and Canadian obedience trials for 10 years. As far as dog performance events, my primary and only interest is competitive obedience. I have participated in Airedale terrier rescue and have traveled all over the city of Evansville for programs promoting responsible dog ownership. I developed an “Oh, What A Good Dog” program” for the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library that is presented at childrens’ story times and also for the library’s Summer Reading Program.

Training Philosophy - I believe in dog training that makes sense… to the dog and to the handler. I believe that communicating with dogs involves clear, precise commands and body language that says to the dog, “I am the pack leader.” I believe that dogs learn in “black and white” and are happier and better behaved when they have specific parameters to follow. I believe that what is learned in training classes must be reinforced at home in the dog’s activities of daily living. I believe that dogs give back to us the behaviors that we have taught them.

Kitty Gilbertson

Classes taught: Puppy Class

Breeds:  Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier

Titles and Awards: UAG1, RN and CGC

Biography: I've been a member of EOC since 2000. After taking my first class I was hooked! This was not surprising since my love affair with dogs started at an early age. These kind of training opportunities were not available to me growing up, so I love to encourage people to take advantage of everything that's available today for them and their dogs.

Training Philosophy: The purpose of the Puppy Class is to introduce the handler (you) to training your puppy. And to introduce the puppy to learning. My goal is to make it fun for everyone. This class is purely positive reinforcement. The idea is to create an environment where the puppies can be successful. We address basic behavioral issues privately before and after class sessions, but class time is for learning and fun!

Stacy Harris

Classes taught: Puppy, Beginner, Beginner 2, Intermediate 1 & 2, Retrieve/Broad Jump/Go-Out, Advanced 1, Misc. special classes

Breeds:  Papillons but have also trained/shown a Samoyed, a Shetland Sheepdog, a Yorkshire Terrier, and a Bichon Frise.

Titles and Awards:

Highest titles in each venue include: AKC Obedience: UD, AKC Rally: RAE, AKC Conformation: CH, AKC Agility: MACH, UKC Obedience: U-CDX, CKC Obedience: CD, ASCA Obedience: CD.

Awards: AKC High in Trial, Blumenaur Awards (High Scoring Dog at EOC), EOC Dog and Handler Team Award, 2 UKC High in Trial, Multiple High Scoring Toy and High Scoring Papillon awards.

Biography: I have been training dogs since 1995 with a Samoyed.  While my Samoyed was working on her CDX, I decided I'd like to train a different breed and found my first Papillon.  I now have several Papillons, many of which I am currently training and showing for one or all of the obedience, agility and breed rings.  This includes my pride and joy, Piper, aka CH MACH Majestic Joy Pay The Piper UD RAE and from his (and our) first litter my special girl Penny, aka Wildcard Pink Of Perfection AXJ, OA, NJP. I have been a member of EOC since 1996, began instructing in 1997, and have served as its President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. I am also active in the Papillon Club Of America, serving as the Chair of the Companion Events Committee, and the Evansville Kennel Club, which hosts one of the largest dog shows in the country in March each year in Louisville, KY.

Sherri Hurm

Classes taught: Have assisted beginner one class on Wednesday nights for 7 years.  Also assist Puppy class on occasion. 

Breeds: Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer

Titles: Pepper – UCDX, UACH, CDX, MX, MXJ, RN, O-NJC, O-NAC, OAC, TN-N, CGC, TDI, TT, FFX Gold Obedience and Agility.  4 First and Foremost Honorable Mention Ratings.

Cayenne – UAG1, NA, NAJ, RN, CGC, TG-N, NAC

Biography:  I started puppy class with Pepper almost 8 years ago, we enjoyed ourselves in class and the people of the club so much, we joined the club began showing and helping with classes.  Then we added our Giant Schnauzer Cayenne to the family and the fun continues.  The beginner class is very rewarding for me.  To see such a transformation between dogs and handlers in 7 weeks is amazing.  I have learned as much from the students and their dogs as I have in training my own.  I served as secretary for EOC for 5 years.  I’m also an Agility Club of Evansville member, a member of Lincoln Trail Belgian Shepherd Dog Club, a member of the Giant Schnauzer Club of America and serve as the GSCA’s agility statistics coordinator.   

Mary Mullen

Classes taught: Rally Novice, Rally Advanced, Proofing classes

Breeds:  Shetland Sheepdogs (currently six)

Titles and Awards:
AKC titles: (obedience) CD, CDX, UD, (rally) RN, RA (agility) NA, OA, AX, MX, NAJ, OAJ, AXJ, MXJ, NAP, OAP, AXP, NJP, OJP, AJP
UKC titles: (obedience) UCD, UCDX, (agility) AGI, AGII
NADAC titles: (agility) NAC, OAC, EAC, NJC, OJC, EJC, NGC, OGC TN-N, TG-N
ASCA titles: (agility) RVN, JVN

Certificates:
AKC Canine Good Citizen Award
Therapy Dog International therapy dog certification.

Special Awards:
EOC 1992  Dog and Handler Team Award with my oldest sheltie, Jake
Front and Finish FFX Award Agility (twice) with my oldest sheltie, Jake
Front and Finish 2001 First and Foremost Honorable Mention with Jake.

Biography: My husband, Rick, and I have been members of Evansville Obedience Club since 1998. We currently train and compete with our four shetland sheepdogs. For the past two years, I have taught all levels of the rally classes at EOC. I also teach public agility classes for Agility Club of Evansville, of which I am club secretary.

I have judged 4-H dog obedience trials and agility trials both locally and in neighboring counties. I have given rally seminars to local clubs who were interested in getting started in the sport. Rick and I together hosted the monthly obedience C-matches for Evansville Obedience Club from 1999-2002 and have hosted C-matches for other local clubs.

I still have my first obedience dog, Jake (10), and I am currently competing in obedience, rally and agility with my 2 year old sheltie, Indie. Indie and I are also training in tracking and herding and hope to be competition ready sometime in 2006.

Rick Mullen

Classes taught: Beginner through Advanced + retrieves

Breeds:  (6) Shetland Sheepdogs

Titles and Awards: CD, U-CD, CDX, U-CDX, and many Agility titles in the AKC, UKC, ASCA, and NADAC registries. I have been awarded the EOC good Sportsmanship award three times by the membership of EOC, and my Sheltie, BJ, and I have been awarded the EOC Dog and Handler Team Award for 2005.

Biography: I have been an EOC member since 1998 and have been showing dogs since that time. My wife, Mary, and I also participate in rescue efforts for Shelties when needed. I am also a member of the Agility Club of Evansville (ACE), and Lincoln Trails Belgian Shepherd Dog Club. I have been very active in all three clubs having held club offices and participated in obedience and agility trials in a variety of positions from Trial Chair, to Trial Secretary, and a variety of other event support positions. These positions have been held through a number of events sanctioned by AKC, NADAC, UKC, ASCA and others.

Mimi Nicholson

Classes taught:   Rally

Breeds: Border Collies

Titles and Awards: All have their CGC and RN.  Lark and Grace have CDs, UCDs, and RAEs.  Lark and Angel have UCHs and are working on HTs.  Lark is AKC championship pointed.  I have a PhD in English from Purdue  :>).

Biography: Originally from St. Louis, MO with several stops before Evansville.  For many years taught English composition, literature, and other subjects at the college level.  Had a state and federal grant for regional teacher training and development for the last 10 years before retirement.  Served on the Evansville-Vanderburgh County School Board for 24 years.  Was a Master Gardener until the weeds won.  Am now happily retired and spending time and money on four border collies:  Flirt, Grace, Lark, and Angel.

Steve Stout

Classes taught: Beginner Two

Breeds: Doberman

Titles and Awards: Titles showing highest in each area:

American Kennel Club: RA, CD
United Kennel Club: UCD
Awards: UKC Obedience High in Trial; EOC's Good Sportsmanship Award
Certificates: AKC Canine Good Citizen Award

Biography:  I began training and showing in AKC Obedience in 1996, with my first Doberman, Nicki. Our first trial in Novice A, was in Lexington Kentucky. We lost a run-off and got second place. That was a great experience and motivated me to learn more about training. I became an EOC member in 2002. Prior to that I earned Companion Dog titles on Nicki, her daughter, Glory, and her son Alex. In 1998 I got a German-bred pup. Micah quickly acquired his CD in 1999. His daughter, Chelsea, earned her UCD, along with a HIT, and her CD with several placements. She also earned her RA. Now I'm looking forward to progressing to Open and Utility.

I was honored to be Vice-President of EOC for 2008 and 2009. My view of training has evolved a lot since joining EOC. From our instructors and seminars I've learned motivational training. Dog training is about communication and leadership, as well as a bond of respect and trust between dog and owner. We can teach our dogs to learn behaviors and exercises. We can lead them wherever we go. This should be done in a positive way which is not only work but fun. That doesn't mean that it always easy and never challenging, but when learning is fun it is much more rewarding. If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right.