Cedar Rapids Kennel Association

Below you'll find information about the instructors that volunteer their time to teach training classes for CRKA. CKRA would like to thank the volunteers that make these training classes possible.

Cindy Munier-McDonald

I'm married and have three children along with dogs, Clydesdales, Stock horses, a chicken and cats. I love living out in the country with a great piece of land for the animals-pastures, creeks and lots of mud to play in. Along with my family and animal duties I also work at Pool Tech Midwest in its purchasing department.

Growing up I had the typical farm dog-collie and a GSD/rottweiler mix. Later we acquired a retired GSD obedience dog. Our current mix of dogs is the couch potato black lab, a rough collie, smooth collies, brussels griffon, pomeranian, GSD rescue and of course the cardigan welsh corgis.

I started seriously training about 11 years ago with the black lab. After a couple years in training I decided to start volunteering for the Linn County 4-H and been doing that for almost 7 years now. Along with my volunteering activities with the 4-H I've also taught off and on for community education programs in the community. To compliment my training activities I also show our cardigans in all venues-conformation, obedience, herding, and do a little bit of therapy dog work as well.

The reason I started training was because I wanted a well behaved dog. The only way to get that is by training. I like the saying "Don't complain-Train!"

Over the years I've seen many different training styles when it comes to training dogs. Personally, I like to tailor the style of training to the particular dogs in the class. No one method will work for every single dog and by being a method only trainer, you can cause more issues then resolve. I use a lot of positive reinforcement and I also like to make the dog do a lot of the thinking - a dog that thinks enjoys the training more. I also venture into a little bit of clicker training.

Over the years I've seen many people say that their method was the only correct method. Being told that there is only one way to teach a dog to do something didn't sit right with me. When a dog I was training shut down and would not work anymore, I realized that there were other avenues to travel in training. Having a happy dog, one that enjoys class and is a pleasure to be around is my ultimate goal.

It's so exciting to be working with the general public to help them have a dog that is a well behaved companion that they are proud to show off. I can't wait to see the bonds formed with the training teams as they continue to learn and grow!

Kay Lowe

My name is Kay Lowe. Lots of people call me the "Dog Lady".

"My husband, Kenny, and I have shared our home with many dogs. Most of them are dogs we have rescued from bad situations that are problem dogs, some have been abused, and just generally, K9 misfits. We have trained most of them and have earned titles, many advanced, in both obedience and agility. Other activities our dogs enjoy participating in are Therapy work (care centers and hospitals), Freestyle dog dancing, Rally obedience, and Presenting programs for schools and groups.

One of my biggest joys is teaching people to train their dogs. It is so rewarding to watch the dogs and their owners make progress during their class time. When a dog has had obedience training, and the owner learns how to train and care for his pet, it greatly improves the chances that the dog will remain a part of the family and not become a "throw-away" dog. Some breeds who have lived with us and I have trained over the years are: Pomeranians, Golden Retrievers, Labs, American Eskimos, Shelties, Mixed Breeds, A German Shepard, A Brittany, Samoyeds, Border Collies, A Greyhound, An Australian Shepard.

I have been training dogs for over 20 years, and have always had dogs.

The first dog I took training classes with was Minute, a Pomeranian. She was a bad tempered naughty little dog. She had every bad habit there ever was. She was so naughty during the first beginning class I took with her, that I immediately enrolled her in another beginning class. There was an obedience fun show being held in Cedar Rapids at this time. I really practiced hard, entered her and won a ribbon. I was hooked from then on.

The training methods I use are positive reinforcement. I use lots of treats, praise, toys, etc. The training method I always use is whatever works. I do not use any of the old fashioned training methods, which were pretty negative. I have noticed that when dogs enjoy being trained they have fun, and the trainers have fun. Dogs respond so much better to training methods that are not harsh. Every dog is different, and I use whatever works best for each individual dog. I always start with the most humane thing that works for most dogs, then escalate if necessary. In my opinion, maintaining a positive fun attitude during training, both the trainer and the dog, is the most important thing.

I look forward to meeting you and your wonderful dog in class.

Happy Training!

Julie Burgin

I am married and have two grown sons and three wonderful grandchildren. Currently we have three golden retrievers living in our home. I can't remember a time growing up that I didn't live with a dog. When I was a child we had a mixed breed dog named Cookie. When we were first married we got a miniature schnauzer. We had about three miniature schnauzers over the years the last one living to the ripe old age of 17.

I didn't start training any of our dogs until I got my first golden retriever for Christmas one year. She was a wild thing and I decided if I wanted to walk down the street with her without ripping my arm out of joint, I better take some classes. I loved the results I got and was amazed at how well she could do. I became addicted and decided to show her in obedience. That was about 16 years ago. I have been training and showing my dogs ever since.

When I first started taking classes the training methods were harsh, but luckily I had a dog that could take it. I am very happy that the methods have changed a great deal and are more positive in nature. "What ever works for your dog" is my method of training now. I do believe the most important part of training is consistency and determination. I believe you cannot train a dog when you are angry with him/her. Dogs tend to shut down and get worried when they sense you are angry.

I love all dogs and can't wait to meet all those that will be in class. It will be a great experience for all of us.

Scot Northern

I live in North Liberty, along with my fiancé Kate. I am currently owned by a whippet. Ch. Yorktown's Extra Vitamin C, JC - aka CC, a top 10 whippet. Over the course of her career(1.5 years), CC and I won 55 Best Of Breeds, over 20 Group placements, 4 Group Firsts, and 5 American Whippet Club Selects(a select is an award given at very large shows to dogs which were considered for Best Of Breed). Of those Selects, two of them were back to back first selects at our National Convention, under Breeder Judges - Annie Clark and Bo Bengtson. The other was a first select at our North Central Specialty, and the final two selects were not ordered by the judge.

CC was my introduction to the show ring, and proof that anyone can achieve their goals in the Conformation ring with dedication, training, and a great attitude. Competing in the breed ring puts

you and your dog up against other owner handlers, as well as professional handlers. Often times, I hear exhibitors complaining that every loss is political, or because of the handler on the end of the lead. Does this happen? Sure, but not nearly as often as we think it does. Professional handlers get paid for their talent and skill, and it is much deserved. They have honed their craft over many many years, and often times have apprenticed with other handlers for nearly a decade before moving out on their own.

So how do you win against that? It's impossible, right? YOU CAN DO IT! As an owner handler, you have a bond between you and your dog that no one can duplicate. No one knows your dog better than you do, and no one spends more time with their dog than you. This bond, and together time is priceless and gives you the advantage over anyone in the ring. It is not practical to think that you can walk into the ring with no practice, or only one session a week, and think that your dog is ready. This would be like playing golf against Tiger Woods, having only hit at the driving range once a week the week before the match.

The conformation class will help you refine your skills in the show ring through repetition and fun practice. Many classes will be handled as if it is an actual dog show. I look forward to helping each of you have a lot of fun showing your dog....

Currently, I show Suzie (Basset Hound), Multiple Group Placing CH. CREPE SUZETTE IT'S SO FLOPPY, and split time with Kate on Harvey (Smooth Saint Bernard) CH. Mammoth Sts Harvard House who is currently ranked #5 in the country.

Before I walk in the ring, I remember the following:
"Fame is a fleeting and fickle sort of thing: here today and gone tomorrow! Be sure your ego can handle going from hero one day to zero the next. Your dog is still a magnificent specimen - win, lose or draw. Remember that, appreciate him for that, and love him because he's yours. Love him not for his looks and what he can do for you, but for his 'heart,' because he'll give this to you unconditionally. Treat it with respect."

Kate Batzner

Kate Batzner's love for dogs and dog showing began at an early age. Growing up in a home where top-ranked Yorkies were bred and shown, Kate quickly began going to shows and found a knack for showing dogs. Having both shown in 4-H and AKC shows, Kate began moving up the ranks of the Junior Handlers. During her Juniors career, Kate made it to the Finals at Westminster, was invited to compete at the Pedigree Junior Invitational, and was consistently ranked near the top of the Junior Rankings.

From her start in Juniors through the present, Kate has worked for numerous top handlers each specializing in a different group. This experience has enabled Kate to show, groom and assist on many Westminster Best Of Breed and Group Winners, AKC Best In Show winners, and Number One ranked dogs in numerous groups. Currently, Kate is specialling the #1 ranked 15-in Beagle Bitch, Group Winning CH WINDTALKER'S ODE TO CHARDON, the #5 Saint Bernard in the country, CH. MAMMOTH STS HARVARD HOUSE, and has just begun an exciting journey with a Golden Special, Group Winning, BISS, CH. JETOCA'S WINWARD PASSAGE.

Kate's philosophy for the show ring is to have fun with the dog. A dog that enjoys being in the ring, will show better and give you more than you could have imagined possible. The key is to find that certain something which gets your dog motivated. Once we find that, anything is possible. These dogs are more than just show dogs, first and foremost, they are your pets, your couch dogs, your friends.