OUR INSTRUCTORS

Sharon Wendelgass 
Training Director

Sharon currently teaches the Competition Obedience classes from Introduction to Competition classes through Utility.  She has been competing with her own Siberian Huskies for over 35 years and teaching for over 25 years.  Sharon competes with her Siberian Huskies in AKC Obedience, Rally, Agility and  Musical Freestyle/Heelwork to Music.

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Sharon believes that training is an ongoing process through which our relationship with our dogs evolves.  She is a strong believer in Marker Training as it has helped her immensely in more clearly communicating to her dogs. Sharon believes that the training process should be fun/enjoyable for both human and dog and that it's important to let each dog "tell" us what makes it fun for them.  Teaching Attention and exercises in small progressive steps is essential in order to be successful in any sport.

Nanci Aldred

Nanci currently teaches Puppy Kindergarten and Manners and More 1 classes.  She has been competing with her own dogs since 2010 in Farm Dog, Field work,  Obedience, and Rally Obedience, and has been teaching since 2010.  Nanci has trained and titled Labrador Retrievers. She is a member of  the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). She is also an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizenship program which includes STAR puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU and AKC Tricks judging.

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She is a firm believer that the foundation laid in training is a very important step for all dogs and their owners. She enjoys seeing dogs and their humans be successful and happy while learning new skills. Nanci believes training should be fun and rewarding for both dog and handler.

Barbara Doering

Barbara Doering currently teaches our Utility, open , novice, Intro to comp 1. She has been competing with her own dogs for over 30 years in both AKC Competition Obedience and Agility, and has been teaching for over 20 years.  Barbara has trained and titled Rottweilers, a Corgi and a Kelpie. Barbara is a licensed AKC Obedience judge, and member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).

Barbara believes that training should be fun but the handler needs to be in charge. Skills should be taught in small pieces then chained together after the dog understands them.  Success breeds confidence and success. And attention is crucial!

 Alexa Karaoulis 

Bio to come.

 Sue Obenrader 

Sue currently teaches Rally Advanced/Excellent classes.  Sue has competed with her Labrador Retrievers for over 15 years in both Obedience, and Rally Obedience. She has been teaching for over 5 years at both SDTC and another local club. 

Sue believes that Rally is a team sport, so she focuses on the needs of both the dog and the handler. Emphasis is placed on attention, engagement and positive reinforcement. The format of the class is varied to enhance understanding of the rules, performance of the signs and confidence in competition

 Sue Peterman

Sue currently teaches the Show Handling class.

Sue has been actively involved in the sport of showing dogs since 1969 when she purchased her first Golden Retriever. Since then, her Sanmann Golden Retrievers have earned numerous titles in conformation and obedience in both the US and Canada.

As a professional handler, Sue showed and finished Bullmastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Labrador Retrievers. In 1996, she became an AKC-licensed judge. She now judges all Retriever breeds, Brittany Spaniels, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Weimaraners, as well as Junior Showmanship.

Under the Sanmann prefix, she currently breeds and shows Golden Retrievers. In the past, she bred and showed Norwich Terriers and French Bulldogs.

 Kelly Peterson 

Kelly currently teaches the Foundations for Dog Sports class.  She has been competing with her own dogs for over 20 years in the sports of Agility, Canine Musical Freestyle, Dock Diving, Obedience, Parkour, Rally Obedience, Schutzhund/IGP, and Tricks. She has been teaching for over 15 years. Kelly has lived with and trained Boxers, and currently has a rescue hound and Belgian Laekenois. She is a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI). She is also an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizenship program which includes AKC Tricks judging.  Kelly is also an animal talent agent, and trains dogs for media shoots. 

Kelly believes that building engagement and desire to work is paramount, and loves to figure out what makes each dog tick.  She feels that training is not “one-size-fits-all,” and strives to develop drive and enthusiasm for training with each team.

 Rachael Sammartino 

Racheal currently teaches Beginner Classes. She and her spunky Labrador Retriever / Mountain Cur Mix, Luna, have dabbled in the obedience ring, taken agility classes, and achieved a Tricks Intermediate Title. She continues to train her own dog in the Manners Off Leash classes. After shadowing other instructors for several years,  Rachael started teaching her own classes as of Spring 2023 and aims to keep expanding her knowledge and experience. 

She feels that working with our dogs is not just about the end goal of having a well mannered pup, or winning titles, but about building foundational skills. By creating a relationship with your dog through clear communication, using marker training techniques, and consistent practice, you have the stepping stones on which to build a life. Everyone's training journey looks different and her goal is to help you and your dog start on the right path forward.

 Joanne Summers 

Bio to come.

 Karen Vare 

Bio to come.

 Jenn Weinik 

Jenn currently teaches the Manners and More I & II classes. Jenn has been training her own dogs since 1994, starting with many years of pet therapy work with her Alaskan Malamute, August.  She fell in love with Competitive Obedience after getting her first German shepherd dog, Felix, She now trains working line Belgian Malinois. She has been teaching various pet dog classes like Beginners, Pet Therapy Prep, and Intermediate and Advanced Manners since 2013. 

Jen’s focus is building speed, attitude, and consistency, while maintaining precision. Her current competition dog, Cookie God of War, earned her OTCH 2 at the age of 3. She works privately as a pet trainer and is known for problem solving difficult dogs. Jenn believes that training dogs is a process in which you never stop learning.