Merrimac Dog Training Club

25/07/2025

These two B0rder Colli3s belong to one of our husband-and-wife member teams, Meredith & Roberta Garrett.
Hope is a very accomplished Obedience dog and now spends her time in the Agility ring with Roberta. We met Hope previously as our Agility Dog of the Year (Preferred). In 2024, she picked up 10 Agility titles including her PACH2.
Roberta tells us this about her girl:
"Hope started her career in Obedience earning her UD. She was ready to start her OTCH/UDX drive when the pandemic occurred. Obedience was slow to return so I decided to try Agility. From our first lesson, Hope was so excited I knew this is what we needed to do. So, Hope became my Novice A Agility dog. As we left the ring after one of our first Novice runs, she looked up at me with this huge smile, eyes twinkling, feet prancing. Never had I seen her so happy. In that moment I was hooked. Her enthusiasm has propelled me to dive into this sport. Together we are learning techniques and nuances to become the best team we can be. I only wish I had started earlier with her."

Meredith and his boy, Zeke not only compete in Obedience but also take their turns in the Agility ring. In 2024, they picked up their Master Agility Excellent title.
Meredith has this to share about Zeke:
"I have learned so much training Zeke in Agility and Obedience. Working Zeke is so different that working with my last dog, Luke. Luke was extremely successful, steady and dependable, just like my Ford Expedition. But Zeke is so fast and so eager to learn. It's like I've traded my Ford in for a Ferrari, and I am really enjoying the ride!"
Keep up the great work, Team Garrett

23/07/2025

Presenting to you--Ginger Wade and Sherry Bryant's St4ndard P00dle girls!!
Tango is Ginger's newest addition and at a year old, she has completed the AKC STAR Puppy Course and earned her Trick Dog Novice title.
Ginger has this story to tell about her girl:
"Tango has been a lot of fun during her first year. She has taken a STAR Puppy class and several Rally and Scent Work classes. She competed at her first Rally trial in August and earned 2 legs in Novice. I am looking forward to competing with her in Rally, Scent Work and Barn Hunt.

Sherry and Ginger co-own these next two ladies--
At 11 years old, Bindi is still competing and in 2024 she earned her Barn Hunt Novice title.
Brandy has been in the Rally ring picking up her Intermediate title and also starting out in Agility by completing her ACT1 Test title.
Sherry has this cute little story to share about 3 of her dogs. We will meet Gee later. You have to read this as if it were a Dr Seuss story ;)
"In a quaint little town by a bubbling brook lived three p00dle sisters in a cozy nook. Gee was a whirlwind, full of zest and delight, with a twinkle in her eye and paws oh so light. Bindi, her sister, was clever and wise, always finding adventures under sunny blue skies. But Brandy, the youngest, has a curious knack for speaking in tongues when left in her shack. With Gee's energy and Bindi's charm, they'd set out each day arm in arm. And though Brandy's babble was quite a surprise, her love-filled heart was their greatest prize. Together they'd laugh, play and roam, making their little nook a magical home.

22/07/2025

Introducing to you, Sandi Platt's Mini Amer1can Sheph3rds:
Oliver--in 2024, he earned his Open Jumpers P title.
Sandi tells us this about Oliver--
"Oh, my goodness, what a year for Oliver. I can't be prouder of this little red tri boy. He finished the year earning his Open Jumpers Preferred title at MDTC's December trial, with his fewest time faults and a score of 96. He also qualified both Saturday and Sunday. Oliver has taught me more than any of my other dogs. He has grown so much over his six years. He has a new best friend, Cooper to play with. As he has aged, he has grown more affectionate. For anyone who knows Oliver, it has been a long road but, he now runs up to people he knows well and wants a few pats from them. Of course, it doesn't hurt to always know that there will be a treat involved. I guess I can play second fiddle for a little while.

Simba--in 2024 he picked up is BCAT title in Fast CAT.
"Simba and I started our performance career in agility. He often bails me out of the things I do incorrectly. We are currently working on his Master Jumpers title and are well on the way to his MXP2 title. We both love it when it is just the two of us at an agility trial. He takes full advantage of the individual attention he receives when he doesn't have to share me with any of his brothers. He loves it when I volunteer at trials, especially the ones that have pizza for the workers because he gets the crust for his special treat. If we don't have pizza that day, he knows we will stop somewhere, and he will get a plain cheeseburger. I am not sure what kind of trouble I would be in if one of those things didn't happen, and frankly I don't even want to know.
In 2024, we decided to branch out to Fast CAT. It took him no time at all to learn the game of running to me. Simba quickly earned his BCAT. He pays no attention and doesn't care at all about the lure of plastic bags. He just wants to be with me. We look forward to many more years of having fun and working together.

21/07/2025

Let's talk about this great supporter of all things AKC!!
Elizabeth Staley and her B0ston T3rriers and Austral1an Shep3rds:
These are the titles her dogs earned in 2024:
Audrey--SW Buried Advanced, SW Advanced, SW Buried Excellent

Chaps--BCAT, BH Senior, BH Master, BH Champion, BH Champion 2 & 3, Crazy 8 Bronze, CZ8 Silver, CZ8 Gold CZ8 Platinum

Comic--AKC Breed Championship, Crazy 8 Silver, Barn Hunt Senior

Fable--Barn Hunt Novice

Hop--SW Interior Master, SW Buried Master Elite, Barn Hunt Champion Excellent 2&3, Crazy 8 Platinum Gold, CZ8 Platinum 2,
CZ8 Platinum 2 Bronze

Lava--Agility FAST Excellent, FCAT

Leroy--Open Agility Jumpers, Excellent Agility Jumpers P, Open Agility P, Excellent Agility P

Lexi--SW Interior Novice, SW Exterior Novice, SW Container Novice, SW Buried Novice, SW Novice, SW Buried Advanced, SW Exterior Advanced, SW Container Advanced, Barn Hunt Champion Excellent 49-53, Crazy 8 Platinum 11 Silver, CZ8 Platinum 11 Gold, CZ8Platinum 12, CZ8P12 Bronze, CZ8P12Silver, CZ8P12 Gold

Monica--Barn Hunt Novice

Paisley--Excellent FAST agility

Pooh--SW Buried Novice, Fetch Novice, SW Container Novice, SW Novice

Rooster--SW Buried Excellent, SW Interior Excellent, Barn Hunt Open

Taylor--SW Interior Novice Elite

WOW--so much work and dedication to dog sports!! Congratulations all everyone's accomplishments!!

18/07/2025

Who can relate???

Meeeeee 😎

18/07/2025

Say hello to Zoey, an Entl3bucher Mountain Dog owned by Sarah Puckitt.
in 2024, Zoey earned her Novice Jumpers Preferred title in agility.
Sarah tells us this about her girl:
"Zoey is the first dog I've trained with, trialed with and now, titled with, thanks to Merrimac's programs. She enjoys Agility and our connection has deepened through the years of classes. I'm so proud of her!"

18/07/2025

17/07/2025

We have another Teddy to introduce you to, this time it is Bonnie Warde's rescue dog.
In 2024, Teddy passed his Canine Good Citizen test.
Bonnie says that Teddy loves to go to Merrimac and that he is kind of camera shy so don't ask him to pose for any photos 📸📹

17/07/2025

Photos from Shark Week event are *finally* finished uploading https://ak9photo.pixieset.com/barnhuntsharkweek/
For the Dogs Barn Hunt trial photos

Photo collection by Alchemy K9

14/07/2025

Happy Monday
Here we have Wendy & Jim Swimme's boy, Tribble.
In 2024, he earned his Rally Advanced Title.
Wendy shared this with us about Tribble:
"Tribble began Rally training late follow three intricate leg surgeries. His goal in life is to spend all his time with his mom, so he loves doing Rally. His expectations of reward for a good performance are high. First comes enthusiastic praise, then a dash to his crate to receive his jackpot (hopefully to involve goldfish crackers, Chick-fil-A nuggets and 7-11 Big Bites). Best is having his mom read a book for the toddlers entitles "Your Nose". Each time the word "nose" is read, he presents his nose to be rubbed. Tribble is a happy 6-year-old boy who basically lives on his mom's waterbed."

13/07/2025

Coming up this Saturday July 19, a chance to run in the building before our August Agility Trial:

The Merrimac Dog Training Club is hosting an Agility Run-Thru on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Registration starts at 8:30 am and will go til 10:00 am. We will be using a course that was designed by our August agility judge, Peter Liu.

We will be starting with the 24" dogs and going down to the 4"

Cost $5 for 1st run and $3 for the additional runs, limit 2 for total runs of the same dog at 3.

Crating will be available in building #17 (barn hunt side). No crating in building #15.

11/07/2025

Welcome to the Merrimac Title Wall: Rani, the G0lden Rtr1ever owned by Pat & Ravi Deepak.
In 2024 Rani passed her Canine Good Citizen Test and ventured into Barn Hunt picking up her Noice title.
Pat says this about Rani:
"Ever curious and always bouncy, Rani never misses a chance to make a friend or steal a toy from her house brother, Buddy."
Best of luck on your future endeavors!