IACP International Canine Professional Hall of Fame

In the mid-1930s a car came sailing across the highway and smashed into Frank Inn. He was rushed to a hospital in Culver City, California, where he was pronounced dead by Dr. George Ham and sent to the morgue. A group of student morticians were waiting for their instructor to appear. They were learning embalming, and their project lay in front of them-Frank Inn. Thank God, the instructor was late! One observant student determined that Frank was still alive. It was not to be the end of Frank Inn but rather the beginning. If it weren't for that sharp-eyed student there would be no Cleo, no Benji, at least not in the form that we know them.

Frank had an enormous hospital bill staring him in the face, and no hospitalization. A friend, Art Close, took Frank under his roof and started the long nursing process to bring Frank back to health. Frank, confined to a wheelchair, was housebound. Art's son, Bobbie, had a dog that "followed me home." Bobbie's mother tried unsuccessfully to find the owner of the stray, much to the joy of her son. The stray's owner probably knew the dog was in a family way and wanted to avoid the responsibility. Shortly thereafter the stray presented a litter of pups to the family. The dogs were placed, except for Bobbie's favorite. The boy explained to Frank that if Frank told the family he'd like the dog for company the pup could stay. The Closes gave permission, and Frank had company when the family went to work and school. Both he and the pup learned from one another.

Frank's companion, 'Jeep'-named after a dog cartoon character, preceding the fabled American military vehicle by a number of years-managed to take a dump in his room and nearly wound up at the pound. Frank, wheelchair bound, couldn't walk Jeep and had to learn about housebreaking. Fast! The solution was to cut a hole in the door. There were no doggy doors then but the family made one. Thin slices of sausage were what Frank used to motivate Jeep. One day the paperboy arrived and Jeep put his mouth on the paper. Frank threw a sausage to stop Jeep from slobbering on the paper. The ritual continued every day. Frank knew how to stop Jeep from slobbering on the paper and Jeep learned how to get sausages. The movement of one arm and one leg was all Frank could manage at the time, but Jeep picked up on those cues. They taught one another how to teach Jeep to retrieve and hold the paper. When asked today about food reward, Frank says, "I use whatever is necessary to do what needs to be done." Frank is not a "foodie." He is a trainer.

One day, when Frank was encouraging Jeep to come closer, he reached over the side of his wheelchair. Frank tumbled over and the chair landed on Jeep, who let out a ghostly series of howls. Jeep was pinned under the wheelchair. A neighbor, hearing the howling, came rushing in and righted Frank while releasing Jeep. The neighbor told Frank if he needed any help at all to let him know. Now Jeep was afraid of the wheelchair. Frank encouraged him to come closer with the ever-present sausage. It was slow work, but Frank had time and was making progress. One day Frank was again leaning over the side of the wheelchair and, again, it nearly tipped over. This time Frank righted himself before falling, but not before Jeep started to bark. Frank learned that he could get Jeep to bark with a wiggling movement of the wheelchair. He could also get the neighbor to come in and help him reach something by getting Jeep to bark. Frank, Jeep and the neighbor were well on their way. They were all learning about training. "Training is nothing more than common sense" explains Frank, "which few people have." He is quick to add, "including politicians." When Frank was back in one piece, or in a series of semi-mended pieces, he returned to work at MGM. The people at the studio liked Frank, and knowing of the accident, gave him some light work sweeping up cigarette butts. One day on the set he watched Henry East the grand old man of film training, handle a dog for a film on the sound stage he was sweeping. Frank spotted the error that East was making in his handling of the dog. The dog was supposed to climb up a flight of stairs, enter a bedroom, jump into bed, crawl under the covers, and stick his head from the other end of the covers and bark. The dog was not working because East put the food reward he was using under the covers. The dog smelled the food, and rather than climbing under the covers, he bit at the blanket where the food was located. Frank told Henry he had a dog that could perform the routine. The skeptical East said, "Oh, yeah. I'd like to see that." The cast and crew broke for lunch, and Henry continued practicing to get his dog to perform. Frank went and got Jeep. He showed up and repeated his statement to Henry East. Frank took a ball and used it to lure Jeep up the stairs into the bedroom and onto the bed, and gradually he got Jeep further and further under the covers. Frank tricked Jeep into thinking the ball was under the covers and the dog worked his way down under the covers and out the other side. By this time Frank had replaced the rocking, tilting chair with a finger signal, which he gave to Jeep. Voila' Jeep barked! Henry East was impressed. He offered Frank fifty cents a day and a place to sleep if Frank would come to work for him. Frank explained he was making $29.10 a week. East said that, in addition to the fifty cents, he would give him $5.00 a day for each day at the studio. Frank accepted. East putting a roof over his head was worth money, and what Frank didn't tell East was that his salary was garnisheed because of his hospital bill. After the $15.00 for that was deducted, he netted $11.00 a week after taxes. At fifty cents a day Frank was on his way!

Rennie Renfro, another well-known trainer ne' prop man, saw Inn working and wanted to know what Last was paying him. He told him fifty cents a day, and Renfro offered him a dollar a day. But Frank added he was getting $5.00 a day for studio work. Renfro offered him $7.50 a day for studio work. Next Frank Weatherwax (the brother of Rudd, who was Lassie's trainer) let Inn watch him work with Toto on The Wizard of Oz. The Weatherwax brothers recognized Frank's talent and offered him $5.00 a day and $10.00 a day for studio work. They decided, as insurance against being outbid by another trainer, to raise him to $10.00 a day and $25.00 a day for studio work, an unheard-of sum at that time. Frank was moving onward and upward. He had the opportunity to work with the greatest of trainers at an ever-increasing salary. Carl Spitz supplied trained dogs to other trainers for film work, and Frank had the chance to use a number of his dogs over the years. "Papa" Spitz looked like the old German trainer that he was. He didn't have long conversations with Frank, but one day when Frank was returning a dog after a day's work on the set, Papa presented him with a bottle of whiskey. The surprised Frank wanted to know why. Carl answered in his German-accented English that the dogs did not charge the water bucket when he returned them. It went without saying that Frank would keep his dogs comfortable and well watered, unlike many other handler/trainers in the business.

Frank found a champion in Carl Spitz. The ring came full circle when years later Carl's son, with a couple of partners, took over Frank Inn's animal rental business. With over a half-century of training movie animals under his belt, Frank is very selective about the jobs he takes. And it is a very large belt that he wears. Frank is a big man physically. He is also a big-hearted man. He is continually financing his private charities to help those less fortunate than himself. For example, he supplies a van, complete with the insurance, to transport the elderly in his church group. Frank is also a big man in animal training. He has trained some of the world's best-known animals, such as Cleo, the Basset Hound, and Arnold, the pig from "Green Acres." Today, his best-known animal is Benji. Benji Climbs the Ladder! If you have an opportunity to watch a Benji film, notice the genius in filmmaking. Joe Camp produced a script that, with as few words as possible, tells a complete story. Great for children-and international sales, because it requires a minimum amount of dubbing. Even D. W. Griffith could have taken lessons from Camp on how to put out a silent film with as few title cards as possible. We, however, are interested in the animal work, and it is a sight to behold. Even Joe Camp doesn't realize what a genius he has working for him. Benji is never looking off-camera at the trainer, Frank. He is constantly looking exactly where he should be looking. There is not a false frame in the film. Frank's a little older now and has to take things easier. He gets around in an electric golf cart. It is ironic that Frank started training dogs in a wheelchair and has reverted back to that device. You can't keep a good man down, and Frank is the best.

The International Association of Canine Professionals is Proud to honor Frank Inn as their first inductee into the IACP Hall of Fame.

Professional History

1960-67: AMF, International: Industrial training in psychology, industrial management and personnel training while designing and conducting management training programs specializing in employee motivation in London, England. Broadcast training,

1948-1949: Radio and TV electronics, production, writing, announcing.

1949-1960: Worked in radio and TV as announcer, producer, newscasting. Pet Animal Behavior History.

1967-1971: Four years study and guided practice at the Canine Behavior Center in West Los Angeles with Dare miller, Ph.D.

1971-1980: Founded the Dog Owners Guidance Services at Sun Valley Ranch, Sun Valley, Ca.

1972-1976: Contributing editor, canine behavior, to Modern Veterinary Practice magazine.

1975: American Veterinary Publications published the very first edition of "Behavior Problems in Dogs." 3rd edition (1999), published by BehavioRx Systems, available from DogWise/Direct Books Services. His revised popular book, "The New Better Behavior in Dogs" 3rd edition (1999-Alpine Publishers) is also available worldwide. Dog Behavior Problems, the Counselor's Handbook (published 1999) available from DogWise/Direct Books Services.

1975: Co-founding member of the American Society of Veterinary Ethology. Remains an affiliate member of American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

1980: Moved to Grants Pass, OR. Publishes the "BehavioRx Series," 36 instruction booklets on canine and feline behavior problems, backed up by HelpLine Consultation Service. Has held workshops for behavior professionals until semi-retirement, 2008.

1988-2008: Published Pet Behavior Newsletter, four times yearly, back issues available from BehavioRx Systems, PO Box 1658, Grants Pass, OR 97528.

1996: Named charter member, DOG FANCY Magazine Hall of Fame. Bill, wife Peggy and Punkin (mini-Doxie, 16yrs old) continues to consult with veterinarians and pet owners. Supplies the BehavioRx Series of Canine (32) and Feline (4) behavior problem correction programs for dog and cat owners. He also edits his home page "Pet Behavior Resources" on the world wide web at: http://www.webtrail.com/petbehavior.

Barbara Woodhouse was born in 1910 and always loved animals. She was known for her way with horses and cows as well as for being a dog trainer. Having trained dogs to appear in films, Barbara became a celebrity herself in 1980 with her BBC series Training Dogs The Woodhouse Way. Her commands to the dogs in her charge quickly became catchphrases, parroted across the land. "Walkies!" we shrilled and "Sit!" Do you remember the strange arm movement which went with the latter command?

Some of Barbara's dog training methods aroused controversy - I remember much animated chatter about the use of choke chains, but nobody could doubt her genuine love for her canine students. And she was a great character. It came as no great surprise when she was voted TV Personality of the Year 1980.

Among the problem pooches she helped were those belonging to Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Soul, Dorothy Lamour, Wilfred Hyde-White, Britt Ekland and Bill Shatner.

Barbara died in 1988 and the nation lost one of its great characters. Her fame had been brief, but her impact great. Even today, the doggy commands "Walkies!" and "Sit!" are still widely associated with her.

The Monks of New Skete began in 1966 with a small group of monks. Founding Brothers, Ridgeway, Pa. 1966 Having originally been members of the Byzantine-Rite Franciscans, the first brothers sought to live a more explicitly monastic life within the Eastern Christian tradition. To do this, they left the Franciscans and established New Skete as a separate monastic community.

For over 35 years, New Skete's German Shepherd breeding program has dedicated itself to providing the best possible companion dogs. All the German Shepherds live right in the monastery, with each monk responsible for the training and care of a female or male dog. The books and videos (The Art of Raising a Puppy, How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend and I & Dog, ) from The Monks of New Skete have formed the foundation for many trainers and the dog owning public providing detailed information that describes and illustrates their distinctive approach. It is this teaching and their legacy to training that has earned the Monks of New Skete this Honor.

Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed, MRCVS, CPDT is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and writer. He received his veterinary degree and a Special Honours degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University), and a Doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at the University of California in Berkeley, where he spent ten years researching the development of hierarchical social behavior and aggression in domestic dogs.

For seven years Dr. Dunbar ran a behavior clinic specifically for biting dogs. Dr. Dunbar is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Sierra Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Dunbar has given over 750 one-day seminars and workshops for dog trainers and veterinarians in an effort to popularize puppy training classes, temperament modification, and owner-friendly and dog-friendly dog training. Dr. Dunbar's books, videos, and AKC Gazette "Behavior" column (which he created), have won numerous awards and as the founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers he gave trainers a place to meet, network and learn.

There is no doubt that over these years Dr Dunbar has been a force that has influenced and touched many of today’s trainers. His ability to communicate on training and behavior has been a prime mover in bringing dog training and its need in today’s society to the forefront. He has motivated many to make dog training a profession and through his marketing ability and charisma created a profession when much was done on an amateur basis. There is no doubt that he has been a strong catalyst in the growth of the profession throughout the world. and equally in the growth of dog related products we find on the market. Dr. Dunbar is currently Director of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior in Berkeley, California, where he lives with Kelly, plus Claude, Ollie, Ugly, Mayhem and Dune

Carol Lea Benjamin is a noted author and trainer of dogs. Her award winning books on dog behavior and training include Mother Knows Best, The Natural Way to Train Your Dog, Second-Hand Dog and Dog Training in Ten Minutes.

A former detective, Carol blends her knowledge of dogs with her real life experiences to create the Rachel Alexander and Dash Series. Her latest is The Long Good Boy. Carol continues to have a tremendous influence on the dog world and those entering it. She is recognized in the Hall of Fame for her contribution not only to the training of dogs, but also for the inspiration she has given so many through her enthusiasm and writing. She makes dog owning and training fun, fascinating and part of family life, motivating owners to love and learn along with their dogs.

Vicki HearneVicki Hearne's much too early death has left the dog world with a void that may never be filled. Vicki was an author, writer, poet, trainer, and defender of dogs everywhere, and sadly lost her battle with cancer this year at the age of 54.

Dog lovers know Vicki mainly from her books "Bandit: Dossier of a Dangerous Dog " and 'Adams Task: Calling Animals By Name' , which are classics - but she has done so much more than we can ever imagine. A powerful writer Vicki had the ability to put her finger on the pulse of dogs and their relationship with people and to write and explain about it in a way which not only made fascinating reading but imparted a message to the heart. She made you think, she created understanding and more than that you fell in love with this lady without ever having to meet her. Vicki was a communications genius both with people and dogs.

The dog world owes a tremendous debt to Vicki Hearne. The International Association of Canine Professionals is Proud to honor Vicki Hearne as our second inductee into the IACP Hall of Fame.

Lois Meistrell Lois Meistrell’s involvement with dogs pre-dates World War II. Bothshe and her husband Harland were, at the behest of Mrs. William (Dorothy) S. Long of the Westbury Kennel Association, involved with training dogs for the military prior to World War II at Mitchell Field, Long Island, NY. The work was quite advanced for that time in history. They were training dogs to cast as bird dogs, rather than tracking. The thought was that in the "new" age there would be greater use of planes and therefore a greater chance of parachutists winding up in trees. Realize that the US did not have War Dogs as such in World War I. Despite what you have read World War II was the first time that we used dogs. Yet, here was Lois Meistrell using techniques that were "new" to American dog training. She even had a dog trained to run communication wire off a reel on her back. It was a German Shepherd named Alana that had belonged to Roy Schwarz, noted handler and trainer.

During World War II Lois wanted to do her best for the war effort. Her husband was working with dogs in the US Coast Guard and the shortage of male workers gave her the opportunity for work not normally available. For years the Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ had a policy not to hire female trainers. "Autré mouers, autré temps". Different times and different morals. The Seeing Eye also only wanted "virginal" trainers. Trainers that had no previous training experience. Lois and another woman trainer joined three acolyte trainers at the Seeing Eye because of the shortage males. At the end of World War II the Meistrells went into professional handling and joined the PHA when Laddie Carswell was president. The PHA gave them a little bit of friction because of the training guarantee they gave on putting obedience titles on dogs. Not only did they do the training but they agreed to handle the dogs. If a dog did not get a title within 5 shows they would continue to handle the dog at no cost until the title was obtained. They were merely guaranteeing their performance.

Mrs. Meistrell was a stringer for a number of the New York papers having written for Newsday and the Newark News. She also did a number of regular columns for a few newspapers. Some of the worthy books Lois has written are The New Dachshund, Sports Illustrated Guide to Dog Training and three or four breed books for TFH. Lois is a Life Time member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She has been a membership goes back to 1939. Now that is longevity. Lois’ dog activity has taken the painless way. One of the neighbor’s dogs, a Coonhound-Beagle mix sleeps over. A number of the neighbor’s dogs visit on her porch when the owners are at work and she always has a biscuit for them. Lois Meistrell at 96 still keeps her hand in with the animals. She rounds up her neighbor’s horses when they get out of the paddock by banging on the feed bucket. A little animal sense goes a long way.

A teacher, trainer and author who worked as the Chief Trainer for Walt Disney Studios for more than 20 years, Bill still managed to find the time to write six books and act as Chief Trainer for the Orange Empire Dog Club. His list of accomplishments in the field of dog training are too numerous to list here. It is worthwhile to note that his Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training was named Best Dog Book for the Year of 1967 by the Dog Writers’ Association of America.

Of interest is the method of dog training he developed over the course of many years. The Koehler Method of Dog Training has been praised, championed, vilified and in some cases damned. When you excel you are actually sticking your head up high enough to get shot. Only if you are truly excellent will the shots all miss and leave you standing straight and tall above the masses. That was Bill Koehler. Quiet, unassuming, soft spoken and gentle of hand, Bill gave us a way to train dogs while at the same time honoring their very dog-ness. The Koehler Method of Dog Training is just as valid and useful in the Twenty-first century as it was in the Twentieth century and we suspect it will continue to have just as much meaning for as long as we have dogs to train.

For the past 30 years, the Volhard's have taught dog owners how to communicate effectively with their pets. During this time they have developed the "Motivational Method", an approach to training for people who like their dogs, and who have them first and foremost as pets and companions. At the heart of the "Motivational Method" is the conviction that positive reinforcement is the most effective teaching tool. Jack and Wendy Volhard have written eight books and over 200 articles, produced four training videos.

Two of their books have been given the prestigious Best Care and Training Book award by the Dog Writers' Association of America, and between them they have seven awards from the DWAA.

Their most recent book is Dog Training for Dummies. The Volhards are also accomplished trainers and have obtained over 50 conformation and performance titles, multiple High in Trials and Dog World Awards of Canine Distinction with their German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Landseer Newfoundlands, Standard Wirehaired Dachshunds and

Edi MunnekeEdi Munneke had the enviable record, still unbeaten, of having the only dog to score 39 perfect obedience scores in Rusty her Golden. At 80 she decided to stop judging because the bending and walking was slowing her down.. She wrote the Dog World Obedience column for 32 years. (1968-1995.) She is now 97. As a schoolteacher Edi was well aware of learning theory and realized the theory difference between people and dogs.

Edi helped shape the UKC’s obedience rules and judged the very first UKC obedience trial. For years she was sent the AKC obedience regulations to check over before they went to press. "I spent my life making things right," Edi said. A life long hard worker she was more interested in the results than the accolades. She often worked in the background and feels she was responsible for the AKC finally permitting woman to become delegates. The Ladies Kennel Association even had a male delegate. Edi threatened to sue and viola! A female delegate appeared. "I made them behave." Edi says of the AKC.

Mrs. Munneke has written for Front and Finish and for seven years was the Golden Retriever Club of America’s obedience columnist. . Edi was elected president of the Golden Retriever Club of America on the same day another president was sworn in: Gerald Ford, August 9,1974. Ford replaced Nixon when Nixon resigned. She managed to get elected more times than the unelected President Ford. The GRCA has two year terms for president. Ford did three years and Edi did four. Total elections won for President: Edi 2, Gerald 0. Edi Munneke was secretary of the Dog Writers Association of America for ten years. Separate and apart from that task she re-wrote the DWAA constitution because she knew it was in shambles.

She is a Life Member of the DWAA Mrs. Munneke is also a Life Member of the Cincinnati Obedience Training Club that she joined in 1954 and the Golden Retriever Club of America.

Scott Mueller was born in 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young boy, Scott had a newspaper route where he encountered two dog enthusiasts and developed a fascination with the training concept. In 1974, Scott realized his calling; a year later, he moved his family to Columbus, Ohio, to launch The National K-9 Training Center, later renamed The National K-9 Learning Center.

In 1977, Scott pioneered the training of the first support dog to aid the late Sandy Maze who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. Scott co-founded the non-profit organization, “Support Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc.” Dogs were trained to aid individuals who were physically challenged with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and paralysis.

These support dogs helped their owners become more self-sufficient and independent. They were taught to retrieve objects, to assist with wheelchairs and doors, to provide physical support and stability, and to perform other physical necessities to make life easier for their humans. Less than six years later, Scott’s program merged with Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), based in California.

In 1979, Scott founded the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers, which has trained more than 1,600 students from across the United States and from over 40 foreign countries. “I felt that through the school, I could reach more dog owners. Teaching others the art of dog training makes a difference in the lives of millions of dogs throughout the world. I’m proud of my graduates carrying the torch,” Scott said.

During the 1990s, Scott created a comprehensive puppy preschool program. He has written Mueller's Official Puppy Owner's Manual, which is distributed by professional trainers and veterinarians across the country, as well as Mueller's Essential Guide to Puppy Development for the K-9 professional, which is scheduled for publication during the summer of 2010.

Anyone today using a remote trainer owes Dr. Daniel F. Tortora a debt of gratitude, because without his work, the modern e-collar might not exist as it does today. The principles he espoused: using the collar first as communication device and as a punisher last, using the collar as pressure rather than pain, controlling the dog's perception of the stimulation by controlling the way it's presented and using the collar to “build confidence” are the foundations of the modern e-collar methods used today. Tortora published a peer-reviewed paper demonstrating the effective use of remote training collars to deal with aggression, “Safety Training: The Elimination of Avoidance-Motivated Aggression in Dogs” (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General).

A Ph.D. in psychology from Michigan State, 1973, Dr. Tortora retained by Tri-tronics for many years as a consultant and helped them develop more sophisticated collars allowing for lower correction levels. He was not only a practitioner of the use of the collar but was involved in the determination of what the levels should be.

Tortora was one of four people interviewed for the 1986 Atlantic Monthly article “Four Ways to Walk a Dog.” He was in good company. The other contributors were IACP Hall of Famer Bill Koehler, competitive obedience legend Bernie Brown, and Pete Jackson (a trainer for Seeing Eye). Of all the people interviewed, Tortora seems most relevant in today's training climate where the correct use of the e-collar has grown based on his work.

His comments regarding the use of the electronic collar are more insightful (even 20 plus years later) than many of those who are using the collar on a daily basis right now. But unlike other innovators in the industry, some feel Tortora has been swept under the rug by the dog training community as whole. His books are hard to find, and many trainers standing on his shoulders haven't even heard his name. IACP supports responsible and humane electronic dog training by honoring the one man who contributed more towards making that possible than any other.

He authored 3 books on training:

• “Help! This Animal is Driving Me Crazy” 1977
• “Understanding Electronic Dog Training” 1982
• “Right Dog For You” 1983 now available in e-book format

A man whose words have become synonymous with the dog world. Every day dog owners use them, follow his teachings and work to make their dog the companion they dreamed of. His teaching not only assist dogs but in doing so change peoples lives through his motivational and life doctrines. Few if any have made such an impact on dog owners and through owners the dogs themselves not only in the USA but worldwide. In a short time he has turned the dog community into a dog family bringing the dog to the forefront in understanding and welfare. Today we are seeing more Calm Assertive Energy than ever before, and our world of dogs and owners has benefited greatly from his presence. We have moved into the era of the dog as a true member of the family. The impact of Cesar Millan has been Ssssssuper!

Cesar Millan’s dream, when he came to the United States, was to become the best dog trainer in the world. As a child growing up in Mexico, dogs were a constant presence. They shaped the man he is today. Through the quiet teachings of his confident, even-tempered Grandfather, Cesar learned the qualities of a leader. “Never work against Mother Nature. You only succeed when you work with her,” his wise Grandfather would say. Cesar uses these same words often, when speaking to clients.

The key to Cesar Millan’s method is what he calls “the power of the pack.” Through many years of observing dogs in their natural pack societies, there are only two roles; leader and follower. If pet owners don’t become the pack leader, the dog will take on that role. Giving constant affection upsets the natural balance of a dog’s world. America's pet dogs want, simply to be dogs, to live in a stable, balanced pack.

Cesar says, “By teaching clients how to speak their dog’s language, the language of the pack, a new world opens up for them. The goal in working with clients is to ensure that both the human and the dog end up healthier and happier.” Cesar brings his own special brand of motivation and understanding But more than that his work to assist shelters and their dogs have now become a trademark. His heart and soul belong to the world of the dog and fellow dog lovers. Wherever Cesar presents he fills the room not only with dog lovers but an enthusiasm to do the best for dogs throughout the world.

Martin Deeley, internationally recognized dog trainer, writer, and commentator inducted into the International Association of Canine Professionals Hall of Fame alongside Cesar Millan April 2011.

Martin has been training gundogs both spaniels and Labradors for 35 years. He has not only trained with the best but also trained the best. His dogs have won trials in Britain, and in America he has made up both Hunting retriever Champions and Master Hunters. He has run workshops throughout Europe, Great Britain and America assisting students of his approach to achieve Titles on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2004 he coached the first American retriever Team to compete in England at the International Working Test, where they took fourth place.

He has been a feature writer for leading American and European magazines, and is the only journalist ever granted a personal interview with Her Majesty the Queen of England.

Martin has written three top selling books Advanced Gundog Training, Working Gundogs, and Getting it Right with Gundogs. Commentated on over 80 European championship videos, and for 27 years provided the commentary at the International Gundog Competitions held at the Country landowners Association Game Fair. The largest Game Fair in the world.

Martin was presented with the Dog Writers Association of America Special Award for the Best Training Article of 2001.In 2007 Countryman's Weekly, a leading European dog magazine, selected Martin as Gundog Trainer of the Year, a highly esteemed award voted upon by readers and fans of his books and videos.

Martin wrote and hosted the series of web videos on puppy training for Eukanuba, which also went world wide.

Martin wrote the foreword to his friend Cesar Millan’s first book Cesar’s Way, and Cesar wrote the foreword to Martin’s 2009 revised Working Gundogs. In spring of 2008, he featured in the Mastering Leadership DVD Sit and Stay the Cesar Way and has acted as advisor and consultant on Cesar’s books plus writing content for Cesar’s Rules.

He has produced his own training DVD's: Pet Training through Retrieving; Basic Gundog Training - British style; and recently "E-Touch- the Modern Humane Approach to the use of the remove electronic Trainer."

Sought out regularly as a presenter and teacher for all aspects of dog training and behavior, Martin has his own school for dog trainers and dog owners, and will be on a traveling tour this summer of Holland, Switzerland, Hungary and the United Kingdom, teaching trainers.

Martin now not only trains and helps with gundogs but also is sought out as an expert in dealing with problem behavior in dogs. He is also recognized as a leading teacher in the use of the electronic collar as a humane and positive training aid.

In 1975, Bonnie Bergin originated the concept of “service dogs,” dogs trained to help people with mobility limitations. She founded Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) in Santa Rosa, California, to be the provider of such dogs, expanding CCI to centers in New York, Ohio, Florida, and southern California. Her research into dog personalities provided an objective, reliable method of placing service dogs with clients. She also identified key concepts in service dog selection: low arousal, low predation, and low initiative among other traits, and coined the term “unobtrusive helpmate.”

Reading increases problem-solving skills in humans. Teaching dogs to read visual symbols in the form of word commands to build their service dog problem-solving skills became another of her goals. With a Stanford University study supporting her work, tests show that the dog has sufficient cognition to respond to doggie stick figure postures with no prior training beyond the initial word reading exercises.

Dr. Bergin was asked by the U.S. Justice Department to help develop the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations regarding assistance dogs and was invited to the Rose Garden for President George H.W. Bush’s signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bonnie has spoken or taught worldwide. She has educated people in Canada, Europe and Japan, in addition to the U.S. Dr. Bergin has made a contribution to the lives of both disabled individuals and dogs by expanding the capabilities and role each is able to assume in society.

Winifred Gibson Strickland certainly has had a full-life with dogs….and with her favorite the breed, the German Shepherd Dog. She is known at Ms. German Shepherd of Obedience. In November of 2002 she put her 208th title on one of her dogs with a score of 297 ½. Wynn has over 1500 awards and trophies to her credit. One award she takes special pride in is the one from “des Verein fuer deutsche Schaeferhunde” or SV, the parent club for the Shepherd in Germany. As the world’s largest single breed club (100,000 members) the SV rarely acknowledges outside accomplishments yet they gave her an award for Excellence in Obedience Training. Over forty perfect (200) scores in obedience isn’t too shabby, either.

Ms. Strickland was an AKC Obedience judge for 18 years and judged all classes including Tracking. She was a Director of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America as well as a member for 54 years. She is President and Founder of the Diamond State German Shepherd Dog Club, Honorary member of the Southern New Jersey German Shepherd Dog Club, member of the GSDCA-WDA, the USA SchutzHund Club and the “des Verein fuer deutsche Schaeferhunde” (SV). As an author Wynn has written Expert Obedience Training for Dogs, Joll and Me, The German Shepherd Today, and Obedience Class Instruction for Dogs: The Trainer's Manual. Wynn also has three videos dealing with Novice, Open and Utility. Ms Strickland has trained thousands of dogs in her Obedience classes and clinics. They were all different breeds not only Shepherds.

With the rapid growth in Agility few recall that Wynn Strickland designed and put on the first agility test in 1971. It was much tougher to navigate than the current tests and had fewer obstacles. It was held at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty in Arizona.

Her classic quote is, “Dog training is becoming a lost art.”

Sylvia Bishop started training dogs some 35 years ago. The lists of her achievements are endless, her enthusiasm has no bounds, and her untiring efforts in helping all other dog handlers she meets has undoubtedly made her one of the most popular and talked about individuals in the dog obedience world.

Born and bred in Brighton, Sussex, she has been married for 45 years and has five sons. Her Husband Roy's ongoing support has enabled her to travel to many places in the world, to give lectures and courses, and to enter her own dogs in various competitive shows.

She is the only trainer to have been invited to the prestigious Crufts Dog Show 30 consecutive years with 10 different dogs. She has won the event twice and was a member of the winning 2004 Obedience World Cup team. Sylvia Bishop is highly acclaimed in Great Britain for the competing style of her many champions. As well as her amazing ability to "read" all types of dogs' temperaments, Sylvia’s unyielding passion and energy in her work with dogs AND people is simply brilliant.

Sylvia is the person who has been promoting 'fun' training for dog and handler since 1974, and whose techniques are still applicable and widely known today. The efficiency of Sylvia's approach is demonstrated in her own dogs. She is the first person to have over 7 different dogs for qualification to Crufts.

Sylvia’s runs workshops throughout Europe and North America. Her 'Magic" Books and videos are best sellers and the 'Bibles' among obedience dog trainers and trainers in general. A no nonsense trainer and dog advocate, Sylvia is admired and followed worldwide.

Sylvia Bishop, owner and trainer of:

• Obedience Champion Enchanted Blue Star
• Obedience Champion Misty Magic
• Obedience Champion Magic Sunday
• Obedience Champion Papaw Crystal Gail
• Obedience Champion She's Magic
• Obedience Champion Forever Magic Sunday
• Obedience Champion It's a Kinda Magic
• Obedience Champion Spot the Magic
• Obedience Champion Suenijon He's Magic

Bart Bellon is a modern dog trainer, and his NePoP® system of dog training was inspired by nearly 40 years of experience which encompasses history, education, life experience, politics, and practicality. He grew up in Burundi, East Central Africa between 1960 and 1974. It was a wonderful childhood, on the one hand, with loving and intelligent parents and siblings. On the other hand, it was a childhood in a region notorious for war and genocide and predatory leadership where the prerogatives of individuals and interest groups superseded national interests. His interest in dogs began there, in Burundi, where dogs were used to protect the land.

After the genocide and massacre of Hutus and Tutsis in the early 1970s, the region became even more unstable. His family returned to Belgium in 1974. I lived in Sit-Katelijne- Waver, a small town close to the city of Mechelen. As a boy in Africa, He was always researching the city of Mechelen because Mechelen was the city that was the origin of the special shepherd called the Malinois. Once in Belgium, he immediately bought a Malinois. It was a bitch from the breeding of my neighbor who was a ringsport trainer. He was an important person at the ringsport club near his home and that club was one of the most successful clubs in Belgium. Once he went to the ringsport club, he was addicted to the sport.

Starting in 1986, he began looking beyond Belgian Ring Sport. He developed interest in and followed all the international sports that utilized bitework: French Ring Sport, Mondio Ring, KNPV, and IPO. If you are on the road telling people how to train dogs with positive and negative reinforcement and aversive and corrective stimulation, with the tools of choke collar, pinch collar, whip, e-collar, ball, clicker, food, etc: all that had to be incorporated in a system that could be politically acceptable. In half the countries in Europe where protection sports are popular, pinch collars and e-collars are official banned although used clandestinely.

He won his first NVBK Championship in 1992 with a talented but out of control dog that he purchased in 1986 when he was three years old. From 1992 to 2002 when he was Training Director at his club, they boasted seven Belgian Ringsport Champions (Bart with two different dogs and five club members with five different dogs.) By 2002, he had refined his techniques with his dog Zodt. He scored the highest scores ever achieved (before or since) in a Championship in Belgium Ring Sport.

Bart has always been, and continues to be a strong advocate for balanced dog training. He believes that in order to keep our rights to breed dogs how we want and train dogs how we want and utilize certain equipment, we need to be able to educate and compromise. We need to make an open door which welcomes newcomers, and we must present our beliefs and techniques in a politically correct fashion.

John and Sandra were both born in Lancashire, England. Both loved the outdoors, walking, cycling the countryside and all that goes with it. John cannot remember not having a dog. In his very early days they would be working Border Collies. In his teens he had a passion for coursing and the lurcher was the dog that invariably accompanied him.

Sandra and John met on holiday they were both horse riding in North Yorkshire, the coincidence was that we were both born bred and was living within quarter of a mile of each other.

Sandra’s interests were riding, swimming, cycling and showing her dogs at local level. Sandra had always had dogs of various breeds, at the time they met, she had two very ill trained (correction - untrained) West Highland White Terriers.

John's interest in competition began with tests where he ran Labradors. With Sandra, the interest grew to show, breed, train and compete with them. They applied to the UK Kennel Club for an Affix, and because of John's interests in wildfowling they combined the last part of their name with the name for a male duck, hence the name DRAKESHEAD. A name that has become synonymous with quality Labradors throughout the world.

It was quite a few years before circumstances allowed John to enter Field Trials, due to work commitments. It was about the time when Sandra and he became founder members of the North West Labrador Club. His first Field Trial was the Three Ridings Labrador Clubs Puppy and Novice Stake, the year was 1968 and he was awarded Second Place. Sandra made her debut a couple of seasons later in the Yorkshire Retriever Novice Stake, where she was awarded Third Place.

The rest is history, Sandra became Field Trial Secretary for the North West Labrador Club, and both served on the committee for many years. Sandra is on the (A) panel as a Championship Show Judge for Labradors, she is also on the (A) panel as a Field Trial Judge for Retrievers, and she has judged the I.G.L. Retriever Championship Three times. Sandra won the Retriever Championship in 1979 with FT CH WESTEAD SHOT OF DRAKESHEAD, she has also been a member of a winning England international Gundog team on many occasions.

John is known mainly for his Labradors but he has had an interest in many other gundog breeds. He has competed in field trials successfully taking awards with Labradors, Flatcoats, Golden Retrievers and English Springer Spaniels. In 1987 John came close to doing the double (winning both the Retriever and Spaniel Championships) when his Spaniel Dash of Drakeshead took Third Place in the Kennel Club Spaniel Championship at Welwyn Garden City and his Labrador FTCh Breeze of Drakeshead won the IGL Retriever Championship for the third time.

John has been a committee member for the Three Ridings Labrador Club, The North West Labrador Club, The North West Counties Field Trial Association, the I.G.L. and committee member and Chairman of the Yorkshire Gundog Club. He sits on the Kennel Club Field Trial Sub Committee and is the Vice Chairman of the Kennel Club Field Trial Council. John was the Captain of the ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL GUNDOG TEAM for ten years.

John has won the I.G.L. Retriever Championship four times he won with Field Trial Champion Breeze of Drakeshead in 1985 / 86 / 87, a feat never before accomplished before or since. By doing this he won THE CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE CUP ( presented by Captain A. Glen Kidston) outright, he re-presented it to the I.G.L. for perpetuity. He then won again in 1992 with Field Trial Champion Raughlin Pete of Drakeshead .

To Date September 2016 John and Sandra have made up 31 Field Trial Champions, (Sandra has made up 10, John has made up 21) and they have bred many more. Even though the years are going by Sandra still loves running in trials and working tests, John still loves shooting over his dog and picking up on shoots whenever possible. They are both well loved and respected ambassadors for their sport and especially, for the quality of dogs they have bred and taken to the highest levels.

Bob has been President of the National K-9 Learning Center for two decades. Bob is the Head Instructor and Director of the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers. National K-9 has given a solid foundation in dog training and behavior modification to more than 2000 students representing every State in the U.S. and over 45 foreign countries.

Bob’s favorite areas of instruction are Retrieval, Tracking, Scent Detection, Service Dog Training, Puppy Development and Behavior Modification. Bob is a former member of the Board of Directors for the I A C P and has attended every annual conference the organization has held.

Bob has been and still is a Platinum Sponsor of I A C P since its inception, and has recruited more than 600 members into the I A C P. Bob is also a strong supporter of the N A I A. He believes that a dog should be evaluated and judged on an individual basis, not solely by its breed. He has and will continue to oppose Breed Specific Legislation in all its discriminatory forms.

Roger Abrantes was born September 4, 1951 in Tomar, Portugal, is an ethologist (PhD in Evolutionary Biology and Ethology, and BA in Philosophy, DHC, MAPBC) belonging to the school of ethology founded by Konrad Lorenz, Nico Tinbergen, and Kal von Frisch.

He is particularly known for his meticulous approach to the study of behavior with concise definitions and logically sound argumentation; for his view on social behavior and its application to the understanding of pet behavior; and for his purposeful working methods a functional merging of Ethology and Behaviorism. He is the creator of SMAF, an artificial programming language to describe learning processes accurately.

Before he retired in 2018, he lectured in ethology, animal learning, and epistemology (theory of knowledge), and worked with dogs, horses, cats, guinea pigs, and the Giant Gambian Pouched Rats. He was an instructor at CNCA (USA), and a special advisor for the GNR (Portugal), and participated in various marine environmental management projects (he is a certified Divemaster, Rescue Diver, and Sea Captain). He continues being a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the DHVE (Germany), and a WEN Science Ambassador.

Even though retired, he continues to work, now focusing on the philosophical aspects of evolutionary biology, writing articles and blogs, lecturing occasionally, and tutoring his particular students.

He has been a keen sportsman, having raced cars for many years and played roller hockey in the German Bundesliga where he was his team's first goalkeeper until his 50's. Nowadays, he plays pool (8-ball and 9-ball), runs, sails, and dives. When he's not working, he dedicates himself to his two life-long passions: reading (everything) and listening to music (Blues, Rock, New-Age, Opera) - and preferably on a sailing boat!

If it were not too cliché, Barbara would tell you she was raised by dogs. But the truth be told she never remembers not having several dogs. After getting paid $20.00 for her first training job, she was hooked. Of course, she was only 8 or 9 years old but it was the beginning of a career she would follow for the next 60 years and beyond. Her own dogs have received titles in several venues but now she just wants to just ‘be’ with her dogs. She was a founding member of APDT and ran the organization during its foundational years. She is a professional member of IACP. She was the regional manager for Northern California Dog Magazine (now defunct) for several years. She is a tracking judge for the mixed breed club. Over the years receiving several titles and awards here are a few; In 2005 she received the Devoted Animal Friend of the Year from a local rescue, in 2011 she received The Trainer of the Year at Westminster Dog Show pre-show and in 2018 was inducted into the IACP International Hall of Fame.

She has worked with trainers and pet owners, alike in several countries including, India, Venezuela, Poland, Spain, Thailand, New Zealand, and others. Always willing to share information on training. She is also a mentor for the University of Edinburgh in their dog and cat behavior courses, a mentor for Animal Behavior College, and a regular lecturer at Carrington Career College for registered vet techs at three campuses.

For the last 40+ years her breed of choice has been Rottweilers, however, she has raised and shown German Shorthaired Pointers, Boxers, GSD, Long haired Dachshunds, Irish Setters, and multiply mixed breeds.

Currently her home is occupied by 2 Rottweilers and 3 ‘shelter specials’.