What
some of Sherry's Students have said about her classes and
seminars:
Liz Courtney:
Sherry is an amazing person. A gifted and skilled handler
(2003 World Team Member), she’s also a superb instructor,
a positive trainer and just a genuinely nice person. She
manages
to impart a surprising large amount of information in a short
period of time and works with each handler to help them get
it right. Filled with energy and creativity, Sherry is very
patient and encouraging no matter how much you might be struggling
with a concept or move. And most of our dogs were crazy about
her (even my shy little Sassy was smitten to the point that
I had to call her repeatedly to get her to leave Sherry’s
side). Sherry definitely has the magic touch with both dogs
and handlers.
Janet
Wood: “I took a private 1-hour lesson with
Sherry. It was the best $70 I have spent. Oreo responded
very well
to her and the way she handles. She showed me how to ‘walk
the line’ with front crosses and it was amazing how Oreo
responded. I now have jumping sequences to practice to teach
Oreo “how” to jump, something she said took her
BC Ransom 10 months of drills before she knew how to “not” knock
bars. She also gave me exercises I can do in my living room
using footwork to work with Turn Left, Turn Right. And lastly,
the automatic down on a table has now made it fun for her to
do the table. I would love to take a full day seminar or another
private lesson for sure.”
Connie
Jankowski: “I
audited the seminar. Sherry is very concerned with doing
maneuvers that make agility safer
and easier on the dogs while attaining the speed that you
need to compete at the excellent levels. I like her sensible
ideas
on fixes for problems. I have attended many seminars in
my many years of dog training. Sherry is one of only a few
that
I would pay to attend again and next time I will be working.”
Irene
Deihl: “Penny and I had a really good time.
Before I got there, I didn't know if I had put us in the
right class.
I was a little nervous. I'm not the best trainer and I didn't
want to make a fool of myself. Well, on the way home I was
really glad I went. She gave me more confidence in both of
us, that maybe we can do this. I know we will never be in Excellent
B, but we will have fun at our level. I found out I was doing
more back crosses, with Penny's speed and learned when to use
the front cross to our advantage. Sherry also gave me hints
on how to make the weave poles easier. All in all I had a great
time, and I would go back to another seminar if I had the chance.”
Debbie
Frederick: “I'm using my clicker again! It
was a great Saturday and Sherry was very personable and helpful.
Kelsey and I are already using many of her ideas in our backyard.
Thanks for having her.”
Deb
Hohman: "I thought the
seminar was fantastic. I never felt so out of
control on an agility course in my life. It made me realize
how my dogs must
feel when I don't give clear cues and commands. After a ton
of practice, I
hope I can feel more comfortable with the crosses and positions
I put myself and
the dogs in.
"Also,
I really enjoyed the puppy session on Sunday. Sherry had
some
excellent ideas for the pups and for us as handlers without putting undue stress
on
their developing bodies. I personally appreciated the extra time she took to
work with us and the ideas that she gave us. It was delightful
to hear a knowledgeable agility enthusiast stress to not
do much jumping, bending, and
turning with a young animal. Cubby and I had a blast!
"Thanks also to the board for allowing Sherry to come.
It was an
investment in the club and I for one totally appreciate it and feel that it
was a
gift. We all gained ideas and experience and that is invaluable."
Beth
Christie: “I really did like the help I got
from Sherry regarding those inside the box front crosses.
You can sure
tell how slow dog moves really
speed up the dog! As far as Sherry's step command I am looking forward to trying
to teach that to Do. The lead change on the flat has help Dazzle tremendously
and we are definitely going to work on front crosses.”
Fran
Williams: “What I liked most about Sherry
is her ability to fine tune a performance. I also appreciated
her
straightforwardness. Sherry doesn't waste time: she quickly
diagnoses problems and offers effective solutions. Using only
positive training techniques, Sherry seemed to have a tip for
every problem members presented.
“The
knowledge we gained will also benefit the club's classes;
definitely the club made a worthwhile investment in
bringing Sherry to ECHO.”
Darrell
Burson: “For me, one of Sherry's strengths
is her communication skills. She can easily convey her vast
experience & knowledge to all levels. It was fascinating
to see how well my puppy, Linus, responded to her accomplished
handling techniques.
“Sherry also impressed me with her ability to make subtle changes in participants'
handling, clearly illustrating how a small change can turn failure into success.
After auditing the Novice seminar, I finally understand a front cross!”
Janet
Wood: Not sure if you remember me or not, but I
had taken a private lesson from you recently in Buchanan.
I was the one with
the Border Collie – Oreo. My issue with her is constant
knocked bars and you gave me some jumping drills that you
have used with Ransom and suggested I also end the game when
a bar is knocked.
I
took your advice to heart and have worked consistently on
this for the past month on the weekends only (as my
time allows!)
and I entered her in her very first trial this past weekend
in Buchanan not expecting much other than to get out there
with both feet blazing (although I could see much improvement
in my yard), because with my nerves and the excitement, I
didn’t
think we could make it through without a few knocked bars.
The
first day she knocked only 1 bar in standard and 1 in jumpers.
So I was extremely proud of her. Then Sunday –wow – She
Q’d in standard with a 1st place and a perfect score
in nearly ½ the course time. It was exhilarating. The
Jumpers course had one knocked bar, but equally wonderful.
I know it’s always good the get positive feedback and
thought you’d appreciate it.
Chris
Mayer: We *really* enjoyed having you. It's a pleasure to work with someone who has
her act together plus is easy going, even if you do run a BC!! You gave people
a lot of things to think about and try, and they were doing that Tuesday in
class - how fun!
I have to tell you that several people have told me that
they feel you gave them very specific instruction,
just for them. In fact, Donna Claypool thinks she
got the most out of your seminar - definitely more than anyone else - there
is no arguing about it with her!
Thanks again for a fun weekend.
