Meet Tails Up Agility Club

 Dogs: Ruby Roo and Wilhelmina May, mini American Shepherds; PDQ and Zippity, Beagles 

Brag: Teaching agility to hundreds of students, all ages, all different kinds of dogs, for nearly three decades

What I love about agility: I like watching my students succeed and learn to work as an agility team together with their dogs. That’s the reward for me.

What I love about TUAC: We support each other, cheer for each other. We’re family.

Dogs: My agility journey started with a Westie-Poodle mix named Roy Boy. I've also been fortunate enough to share my life with three Shelties — the first being Whisper, followed by Angel, and currently Nox and Katniss. I also used to run two Border Collies and another sheltie belonging to friends. 

Brag: My biggest achievement thus far in the agility world was the NATCH I got with Angel. It wasn't so much the award itself but what it symbolized. Angel was a rescue and thought the world was a very scary place in the beginning. It took years of training and socialization to build her confidence to the point that she was able to earn a NATCH; the better part of 12 years to be exact! I hope to earn many more big titles in my agility career, but that first one will always hold a special place in my heart. 

What I love about agility: I love SO much about agility. Besides the obvious aspect of getting to spend time with my dog, I enjoy the challenge of the sport. There's always something new to learn thanks to the various venues and new course trends being thrown at competitors all the time. I appreciate the friendships the sport creates and that it gives me a way to connect with like-minded people who love dogs just as much as I do. I like the competition and the thrill of an amazing run. There are just too many things to name that make agility such an important part of my life.

What I love about TUAC: TUAC is such a special group of people. Our club has so many wonderful people in it who truly care about others. I see it every time we have a trial, and everyone cheers for a team in the ring whether they are celebrating a fantastic run or struggling to get to the finish line. I see it when someone encourages another member who is having a rough day, on or off the agility field. I love to see people building each other up and supporting one another. In addition to the good hearts of our members, there are all kinds of talents that are put to good use to make our club fun! I also love how welcoming our group is to newcomers, and I am excited to see how our club continues to grow.  

 Dogs: Piper/Shetland Sheepdog; Darci Shetland Sheepdog, Willow, Shetland Sheepdog

Brag: Chelsea/Shetland Sheepdog NATCH 35 Versatility NATCH 30 All Around NATCH 13

Piper NATCH 34 Versatility NATCH 33 All Around NATCH 25 Platinum NATCH 1

            2020:  in January 2020, at 9 years old, Qualified to run in Starter Stakes at NADAC Champs in September 2020 but Champs was cancelled due to COVID-19

            Highest Scoring dog in NADAC to date (has the most Total Points in all of NADAC).

Darci NATCH 11 Versatility NATCH 11 All Around NATCH 6 Platinum NATCH 1. 2023:  in November 2022, at 5 years old, Qualified to run in Starter Stakes at NADAC Champs in October 2023

What I love about agility: New friends. There are no strangers.

What I love about TUAC: Local trials and good people that are always willing to help you out.

 Dogs: Boston Terriers Abbey (at the rainbow bridge), Casey, Darby, and my newest addition Brodie.  

Brag:  Abbey was my first agility dog.  She always won the “big bone” at Basic Class.  Best little distance dog ever earning two NATCHs and her Versatility and All Around NATCHs at age 13.  

Casey, my tiny superhero would jump the moon if I asked her to.  She’s earned multiple Championships in AKC and UKI, placed at Westminster numerous times and at 12 can still lay down a 12-foot jump off a dock.

Darby has taken me places I never would have dreamed of.  Reserve Grand Champion at NADAC Champs at 2 years old, Bad Dog’s fastest Boston Terrier four years running, two-time Westminster finalist, and #1 Boston Terrier at Invitationals 2021.  Championships in NADAC, AKC, and UKI and a strong contender at multiple Team USA tryout events.  

What I love about agility:  I love the bond and connection agility has built between my dogs and me.  It has transformed me from a person with dogs into a true dog person.  Seeing those “lightbulb” moments in training is worth every second spent.  Sure, I love the adrenaline rush of competing at big events, but I also love celebrating every run like we just won a championship.  In the end, I just love spending time with my dogs, and they don’t care if it is training in the backyard or competing on national television.  

What do I love about TUAC:  TUAC (and Family Dog Club) was my gateway to the world of competitive agility.  It’s the reason I now run a team of three incredible Bostons and the reason for so many of the amazing friendships I have made over the last decade. 

 Dogs: Romeo and Checkers, Japanese chins; Whiffie, Shitzu mix rescue. I also have Lulu, Romeo’s mama, a non-agility dog.

Brag: Honestly every time any of my dogs takes one obstacle, it’s magical to me. I have such a long way to go but see my own progression from not being able to remotely remember a course to running now at a high level. I never thought I’d be competing with Romeo at an elite or excellent level and we’re there. I love the bond that has strengthened with all my dogs through agility. I’m proud Romeo has the NADAC Versatility Award, an Elite Regular title and his 35-second run in Open Tunnelers for the final leg of his title was really cool. In AKC, Romeo holds a Master JWW title and was the top agility Japanese chin in the nation in 2024. 

What I love about agility: Pretty much everything. I love class. I love trialing. I love the critical thinking piece. When I’m doing it, nothing else matters. I’m present in the moment with my dogs and friends around me. I’m not looking at a phone or a computer screen. I’m in the moment and enjoying all of it. What started out as one class on a cold November night turned into a life-altering experience and passion.

What I love about TUAC: I always think, ‘These are my people.’ I love the support. I enjoy cheering for them and capturing their moments in photos. It’s a special group of people that I’m lucky to call my friends.

Dog: Scout (Foxhound Mix)

Brag: Scout’s “touch” command has come in handy in getting my wild card dog back to me during trials. Thanks Rita!

What I love most about agility: Feeling the connection and bond between me and my dog while we have fun together. The confidence boost he’s had at home has been obvious, too! He is a much more affectionate dog since we’ve started agility together.

What I love about TUAC: The camaraderie among all of the members makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable! 

 Dogs: River, Pembroke Welsh Corgi; Fillion, Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Brag: PWC - Kaled's Hello Sweetie NA NAJ AXP AJP NF XFP TKI ; Fillion - PWC - Wendt Worth Captain Tightpants (no agility honors); Nacho - mixed breed - no agility. River is finally playing agility with me consistently. We went through a drought for 5 years where we couldn't even finish a course, much less Q, but now we only have one or two Es during a trial and have been collecting titles again. Fillion is starting his agility career and loving it.

What I love about agility: Playing with my dogs and watching them learn and have fun.

What I love about TUAC: Talking to and learning from other agility people.

 Dog: Torch, Australian Shepherd

Brag: Torch is singer and has a favorite song. Torch has come a very long way since day 1 . He is now an avid weaver. He has earned his Novice Versatility, Outstanding Elite Tunnelers, Elite Weavers, Groudners, Gamblers titles. He has also earned Outstanding novice regular. He just recently earned 1000 lifetime ponts.

What I love about agility: Getting to do something fun that Torch and I enjoy even though it can be ridiculously frustrating at times for both of us

What I love about TUAC: The camaraderie. Everyone cheers for each other and helps troubleshoot issues. 

Dog: Indy aka Tiny Terrorist, Rat Terrier Mix
Brag: First agility dog, so nothing to brag and yet everything to brag about!  We are constantly evolving and gaining skills.
What I love about agility: It has given Indy such a great way to release energy and gain confidence.
What I love about TUAC: Great people!! We have fun when we get together, and try to do it monthly, by way of a club practice.

Dog: Winnie, mixed breed

Brag: Winnie got her first Q in the last event of her first trial!
What I love most about agility: I love working and bonding with my dog.
What I enjoy about TUAC: We enjoy all the wonderful and supportive friends we’ve made! And also, the potlucks!

Dogs: Sofie, Red Cattle Dog/Dachshund mix

Brag: Sofie aka Super Sofie has Elite titles in NADAC.

What I love about agility:  I love the strategic aspect of agility.  There are always many ways to tackle a course, and many factors go into determining your plan, including how you and your dog are feeling at the moment.  Oh, and nothing ever goes to plan!

What I love about TUAC:  The people, of course. Everyone is positive and super supportive.

Dogs: My agility teammates have been Katie, Diego and now Finn, all Shelties.

Brag: Finn has earned a NATCH, All-Around NATCH, and placed third at NADAC Championships in 2017 and 2021. I have gradually learned how to build courses and am now an SP2 NADAC Judge (judge in training).

What I love about agility: I fell in love with agility at the young age of 4 when my family met Rita at a Canine Carnival event. I love the feeling of being in sync with your dog and fully understanding one another. Agility teaches you to be compassionate and patient while you learn how to be the best teammate for your dog.

What I love about TUAC: Tails Up Agility is home. It’s where I began to trial, course build and judge. TUAC has connected with me with so many caring friends who celebrate each other's wins.

Dog: Rosie, Sheltie 

 Dog: Jesse James, mixed breed

Agility Brag: How about: Jesse and I are learning and having fun together! And we got our first 2 Open Qs at the last trial.

What I love about agility: It has truly been one of the most bonding and fun activities I have done with my dog! I feel like we are playing together and growing as a team every time, we step into the ring!

What I love about TUAC: I couldn’t ask for a better first club to be a part of! TUAC has been incredibly welcoming and friendly, and so supportive of new people getting into agility. I am so excited to be a part of a group that is so fun, hardworking, and kind!

 Dog: Max, Australian Cattle Dog

Brag: Kable, Border Collie mix. My first agility dog and a tri pawed. He ended his career with outstanding Weavers, Novice Tunnelers, Novice Barrelers and Novice Tunnelers titles. Max- UKI Speedstakes Beginner title, NADAC Intro Touch N Go and Agility titles. Last trial, Max got all of his contacts, held his start lines and got all of his weave entrees.

What I love about agility: The bond between me and my dog

What I love about TUAC: The people! We have such a fun group and have a great time no matter what we are doing from trialing, to cleaning tunnels and helping keep Family Dog Club beautiful. It’s the best bunch of people for sure.

 Dog: Mulch, aka Mulchman, The Wonderdog, Master of the Universe - my first Agility Dog.

You can’t teach an ol’ dog new tricks. Well, in my case, I am the ol’ dog and agility is the new trick. My career was spent training horses. Dogs are part of that lifestyle, but training consisted of teaching a dog to be “barn smart.” Doesn’t take long for a dog to learn not to get under a horses feet, don’t chase anything, and come when called. My introduction to agility was from a bunch of horse friends looking for a new adventure. We thought, “this will be easy.” Well, in some respects it is. I’ve never been dumped on my head by my dog, and you don’t need a trailer to go to a trial. But then again...training is training and that takes hard work and dedication.

Why do I love agility? Good news, I love to train! I am happier when I train than when I compete. I can make goals and stick to a plan. I am very good at repetitive behavior, and nothing makes me happier than seeing improvements.

Why do I love TUAC? As a newbie you need guidance. You need friends, advice, compatriots to commiserate with, and heroes. It takes a village or a team to show you the ropes. That’s TUAC! It fill all of those roles and is just as much a part of the training process as any instructor. Along the way I’ve had lots of trainers that I have relied on in this journey, but the best trainer has been my dog. What joy when he responds and what guilt I feel when I have messed up. My horses and my dogs have been my best teachers. These nonverbal friends try their best to teach me a body language in which we can communicate. They have taught me so many life lesson and asked for so little in return. They always give unconditional love. In the end, isn’t that all you can ask? 

Dog: Delta, Giant Schnauzer; Tigger, Standard Schnauzer. He does agility but not trialing.

Brag: Delta’s titles = IJC, IAC, NAC,TG-I,TN-I,WV-I, GR-N, O-GR-N

What I love about agility: Everything.

What I love about TUAC: TUAC promotes furthering skills, practices, and comradery of the group members.

Dog: Tenzin, Australian Shepherd

Brag: My first trial, Tenzin went to the bathroom during his first two events. He finished the day strong by earning multiple Q’s in Intro.

What I love about agility: It’s cool.

What I love about TUAC: Meeting new people and learning from them.

Dogs: Liz and Lil, Golden Retrievers

What I love about agility: I love watching my dogs learn and have fun.

What I love about TUAC: TUAC is a very welcoming and fun group of people! 

Dogs: Paddington, Chase and Bradley, all Australian Shepherds, and Bandit, a PomeranianDogs: Paddington, Chase and Bradley, all Australian Shepherds, and Bandit, a Pomeranian

Dogs: Waves, Australian Shepherd

Brag: Waves and I connected so well at the NADAC trials because of Rita.

What I love about agility: the connection I get with Waves from learning how she and I can communicate, silently or with one word.