Evansville Obedience Club
Our Instructors
Meet Our Instructors
Mary Walker, Training Director
Classes taught: Beginner and Advanced Beginner
Breeds: Poodles, Standard Meet Mary's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CDX, PCD, RE
AKC: CGC, CGCA, CGCU, CGCF
Biography: I have loved dogs all my life and have been obedience training my own dogs since 2006 when my husband and I brought home our first standard poodle puppy. We have since added and trained four more wonderful standard poodles over the years and are constantly amazed at the intelligence and eagerness of a dog to learn.
Obedience training helps provide a foundation in good pet manners, and it teaches the human so much more about communicating and building a good relationship with your dog. Training introduced my husband Jim and I to a great community of other dog lovers, and gave us the opportunity to spend time having fun with our dogs. We continue with obedience classes and have gone on to compete in Obedience, Rally Obedience and Agility.
Training Philosophy: Positive and relationship based training philosophy.
Kitty Gilbertson
Classes taught: Puppy Class
Breeds: Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier Meet Kitty's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
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!
Deborah Wade
Classes taught: Puppy, Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Rally Novice
Breeds: Poodles, Standards and Miniatures Meet Deborah's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: Obedience: CD. Rally: RE. Conformation: CH. Agility: NAP, NAC. Scentwork: SCN, SIN, SBN. FastCat: BCAT. Flyball Team Member
UKC: Obedience: U-CD
American Herding Dog Society: HCT-sheep
ATTS: TT
Awards: National Speciality Club Medallion for Agility, National Specialty Club Cup for Obedience
Club Service: member since 2000, past Club Secretary, Trial Secretary, Seminar Chairperson
Biography: Poodles were in my life before I was born. I trained my first poodle in obedience at 13 years of age through 4H, earning what was then a Grand Champion ribbon. During high school and college poodles were still part of my life, but not competitive training. I got back to training in the 90's when I started working with Rosie Baldwin. In order to start to compete, I found the Evansville Obedience Club. I am a CGC and STAR Puppy Evaluator. I am a past member of the Agility Club of Evansville. I have also been an active member of the Evansville Kennel Club as President, Vice President, Secretary, Seminar Chairperson, and Hospitality Chairperson for the Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows.
Training Philosophy: Be positive, Be patient, Be consistent.
Mimi Nicholson
Classes taught: Puppy through advanced; Rally; specialty classes including engagement, proofing, and Beyond the Basics. AKC certified tester for STAR puppy, all levels of CGC, FitDog, Trick Dog, and Farm Dog.
Breeds: Border Collies Meet Mimi's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: UD, PUTD, all optional titling classes, RAE3, PT, CGCA, CGCU, FDC, TKI, FitDog, Conformation Championship pointed
UKC: UCDX, URO3, -U-GRCH
APDT: RO-3
IABCA: International Honors Championships to Platinum level
ICE: Honors championship, Rally-O level 3
Awards
EOC: Team Award, Rally Award, Achievement Award
UKC: Total Dog, reserve HIT
Club Service: past Secretary, past President, Mentoring Committee, Library Committee
Biography: Originally from St. Louis, MO with several stops before Evansville. I received my PhD in English from Purdue and 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 my beloved border collies.
Training Philosophy: The secret ingredient of a great training relationship is seeing your dog as a partner and exercises as games that build a strong bond between the two of you. Whatever your objectives, casual to competition, they can be accomplished with positive training that creates engagement, mutual respect, and simply the joy of working together.
Dave Chrisman
Classes taught: Beginners.
Breeds: Poodles, Standard Meet Dave's Dog
Titles (showing highest in each area):
Club Service: Vide President Biography:
I have owned dogs my entire adult life. I’ve always had an interest in dog sports but only recently began participating. I own and operate MonsterClean when not having fun with dogs. Training Philosophy: Least Instrusive Most Effective.
AKC: CD
Debbie Yoder
Classes taught: Beginner 1 and Beginner Advanced, Skill Building
Breeds: Chinese Crested, Red & White Setter
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: Information pending
UKC: Information pending
Club Service: Past President, Past Chair of Trial Committee, Past Trial Secretary
Biography:
Training Philosophy:
Margie Clutter
Classes taught: Rally, CGC, and through the years Puppy and Beginner classes
Breed: Border Collies, in the past Cavaliers, Cocker Spaniels, German Shepherd, All Americans Meet Margie's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CDX, Rally RAE, Rally Master, Herding Champion, Excellent Agility, Conformation Champion
NADAC Agility Versatility: Versatility NATCH (championship)
Awards:
EOC – Performance Dog of the Year, Rally Dog of the Year
Border Collie Society of America – Register of Merit Excellent (ROMX) on 2 dogs for performance accomplishments of their offspring; also, multiple Versatility awards: V, VX, VCh
Club Service: I have hosted and judged several EOC Farm Dog Certification tests at my farm, and Trial Chair for EOC May agility trials
Biography: I have loved and trained dogs since I was a child, found a book “Dog Training for Kids” at age 8 or 9. About the same time, I saw a demonstration of Utility obedience at the county fair, and I was hooked on developing a relationship with amazing canines! I am a Registered Nurse, now retired, and raise sheep, ducks and Border Collies on my farm. I was one of the 4-H Dog Club leaders in Vanderburgh County for 11 years when my adopted son, Tony was involved. I continue to work with 4-H in several counties, and judge their dog shows. I am a licensed herding judge for AKC and AHBA. I have been a member of EOC for decades (interspersed with moving to California several times…) I am also a member of the Agility Club of Evansville, and teach classes for both clubs.
Training Philosophy: I primarily train using positive, reward-based techniques, but recognize that there is value in certain situations for use of any of the 4 quadrants of learning theory, so that defines me as a “balanced” trainer. I am very much into teaching students to learn to “speak dog,” understand what the dog is telling them, and develop a training partnership with their dogs.
Sheryl Froehle
Classes taught: Beginner One, Beginner Two, Intermediate
Breeds: German Shepherd, Sheltie Meet Sheryl's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: UDX
Awards: Blumenaur Award - multiple times
Club Service: Building Manager
Biography: (information pending)
Lauren Kincaid
Classes taught: Puppy Class, Rally Coaching, Intro to Rally O
Breed: Black Labrador Retrievers
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: Obedience: CD, RM, RAE(2), OAP, NJP, CGCU, TKA, THDA
Awards: 2013 EOC Good Sportsmanship Award, 2020 EOC Dorothy Lang "Teddy" Award
Biography: I have lived with a dog or dogs most of my life. The first dog I ever loved was an English Cocker Spaniel. Dandy was my grandparents’ dog. He was quite a character and was the proverbial dog who stole a string of sausages off the butcher’s counter and ran out of the shop with the butcher in hot pursuit. Then it was Border Collies, because, well that’s where I lived in Scotland before my expedition to the New World. I came here to marry my husband who says he really wanted my dog and I was just part of the package. That dog was Jason, my first black lab who came with me from Scotland. I learned a lot from this master. He was followed by Cree named for a river near my home in Scotland. He was my first E.O.C. trained dog. He was a world champion counter-surfer. Then came the twins, Shane and Brodie, littermates who came to me from very successful Labrador and Newfoundland breeders in Martinsville, IN who became really good friends. There are some good stories as to how I was lucky enough to have these two brothers. They started me in Rally and Obedience competition and also Therapy Dog visits with all the training and visits involved with that aspect of our lives. They were a hit wherever we went. Sadly, I lost Shane in 2022 and now Brodie is my sole doggy companion, demo dog and therapy dog.
Training Philosophy: Positive, patient training with respect and love at both ends of the leash.
Shelby Buono
Classes taught: Beginner One, Beginner Two, Rally
Breeds: Chihuahuas, Labradores, All American Meet Shelby's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: CDX, PCDX & GO, RACH2, RM7, RAE6, AXJ, DCAT, SWA
NADAC: OAC/OJC, MGC, WV-N, TG-0
NADD: Dock Master
Awards: Performance Dog of the Year 2021
Club Service: Trial Secretary, Trial Advisory Committe, Training Instructor, Board Member
Biography: My love of dogs goes far beyond ribbons and awards. My parents when I was younger didn't really let me have dogs, until I got my first Chihuahua. I begged and begged for a dog, and finally I got one. She was the best and taught me so much. I taught her all kinds of tricks and to me that is all they were. Little did I know, I was teaching her obedience along the way. I was told I wasn't "allowed" to have any more animals until I was grown and out of their house. Well, when I moved out, I most definitely went for my dream of having larger dogs and sport dogs at that! I now own 5 and foster dogs as well to find forever homes. I always dreamed of doing something with dogs that would earn me a stable income and allow me to be happier in my working life. To this day, I have not worked a single job that didn't involve dogs. I am a Professional Bedbug Detection K-9 Handler and Trainer. My Nesdca certified K-9 and I work everyday to eradicate and find bedbugs in the Tristate area for Mcmahon Exterminating. Everyday is a blessing to be working and doing what I love. When I am not working, I am showing my dogs and involved in many club activities to keep me and my dogs on their toes with our obedience, rally and agility
Training Philosophy: Relationship Based Trainer - Utilizing relationships and games to get positive and chain reacting results. As a dog trainer, I am in it for the long haul and truly love helping Evansville Obedience Club's students achieve greatness within their dogs. I believe there is no better training than marinating every command with a cookie, marker and praise.
Danetta Ohning
Classes taught: Beginner thru Advanced, Skill Building, Advanced Skill Building, Clicker, Tricks, Rally Novice and Rally Advanced
Breed: Poodles (Miniature and Standard), Pumi, and Chinese Crested. Have owned and trained many different breeds over the years. Meet Danetta's Dogs
Titles (showing highest in each area):
AKC: Obedience: CD, RA, Champion
UKC: Grand Champion, UCD, URO1
Certificates: TDI, Advanced Trick Dog
Club Service: Held many offices and served on numerous committees for EOC. I am a past or present member of several National breed clubs and Leader of the Evansville 4-H Dog Club.
Awards: Several dogs nationally ranked. EOC Good Sportsmanship Award
Biography: During the 1970s I participated in a kid's summer training program with my Miniature Poodle in Wisconsin where I grew-up. We won obedience and tricks competition and I was hooked. My dad then bought me my first "show dog". A Standard Schnauzer that was fabulous. She was nationally ranked but more importantly taught me many things about life and training. Since then I have always had a dog that I was training/showing. I have had many, many breeds throughout my life. I love the diversity in dogs and enjoy the challenge of training a "non-obedience" breed. It is not the titles and the scores but the journey that keeps me hooked.
Training Philosophy: I grew-up in the days of "pop and jerk" training methods. Fortunately, those days are long gone as we have learned "you get more with honey". Today I use positive methods with "clicker" training as my base. I love the relationship that is created and the learning that is possible when training is based on positive reinforcements. I believe you can "click" your way to an awesome dog.