About: Dianne P. Ford (Agility)

My teaching philosophy focuses on maintaining a fun and safe environment for the dogs and handlers, while striving for quality and strengthening the communication and relationship between dog and handler through the use of non-force training techniques, using effective training mechanics.

I have been training, instructing and competing in agility since 1994 across Canada (AB, SK, ON, NS, NL) with four agility partners (Brooke – an All Canadian, Shepherd/Lab/Doberman cross, 1993-2006; Baxter – Welsh Springer Spaniel, 2003-2012; Kelsey – Welsh Springer Spaniel, 2009-present; Jenga – working English Cocker Spaniel, 2016-present). I have competed at Canada Cup (2013), and I was the first Newfoundland agility competitor to qualify in the AAC NS/NL Regionals and one of three teams to first represent Newfoundland at AAC Nationals (2014) with my current partner, Kelsey. I am also the only AAC judge (Advanced) currently residing in Newfoundland.

I have trained with many of the top handlers and instructors in Canada and the UK. My coaches are: Susan Garrett (Canada: since 2011; member of IC Peeps 2012-2016 and all Say Yes online courses, H360 since 2013), Dave Munnings (UK: since 2012, Q-Me member), and Lynda Orton-Hill (since 2011). I travel extensively for these training experiences (both with my own dogs, and handling others’ dogs – Border Collies and working English Cocker Spaniels). As an educator, I follow the lifelong learning principle, and have had the pleasure of working with many trainers, including Team GB members like: Naarah Cuddy (2016), Martin Reid (2016), Lucy Osborne (2016), Greg (and Laura) Derrett (2012/2013), Sian Illingworth (2012), Lauren Langman (2012/2014); and Team Canada members like: Justine Davenport (Canada: 2014, 2016); Jessica Patterson (2016); Kimberley Anderson (1995-2000; 2008); plus more across Canada, all of whom exclusively subscribe to non-corrective training methods.

My background includes several years as a competitor in equestrian show jumping, hunters and dressage, a B.A. Honours in Psychology in which I learned the Psychology of Learning and Comparative Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Management, all of which I use in my training of club instructors and handlers. I am the founding agility instructor for Newfoundland Athletic Dog Association, Inc.’s agility training, and I have taught all levels of agility from Foundations to International level classes, including a wide range of workshops.