• Chandler / Mesa, Arizona
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Doggie Bytes

Good Dog Agility

About

Good Dog Agility Club is a membership of people in the Phoenix area who are active or have an interest in the sport of dog agility.

We developed this site as a resource for our members and for anyone interested in agility and having fun with their dogs.

Inside you will find information about agility… from “What is it?” to “How do I get started?” We have show and class information, and news about what is going on with Good Dog. And of course, we like to brag about our dogs, so there are lots of pictures of our friends!

Because we are a club and not a professional training business, we do not have a club phone number. The contact for general information is our Secretary who can be reached at our contact section, Board Members’ contact (email) information is located in our Team Section.

Our Mission

The mission of the Good Dog Agility Club training program is to provide high-quality training resources to club members interested in learning the sport of dog agility. To achieve these goals, we use only positive reinforcement training techniques and focus on the handler/dog relationship.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to make training affordable, accessible, and enjoyable; from the beginning agility team to competitive, nationally recognized teams

Good Dog Agility Club

News

GDA is going paperless!

Good Dog Agility Has gone paperless! Good Dog Agility Club (GDA) decided to convert all remaining paper Doggie Dollars to Digital Doggie Bytes. This will

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Congratulations to our

Beginners Graduates!

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GDA is going paperless!

March 31, 2022 No Comments

Good Dog Agility Has gone paperless! Good Dog Agility Club (GDA) decided to convert all remaining paper Doggie Dollars to Digital Doggie Bytes. This will

Read More »
Supporting Cast and

Our Team

Meet our Board

Board of Directors
As of September 1, 2022

Do you want to help us?

Supporting Cast Positions Available

  • Social Coordinator
  • Training Coordinator
  • Hospitality Coordinator
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Marketing Team
Tax Returns

Judy May

President

Judy May

President
president@gooddog.org

Monique Fleming

Secretary

Monique Fleming

Secretary
secretary@gooddog.org

Gregor Carr

Vice President

Gregor Carr

Vice President
vicepresident@gooddog.org

Bobbi Wiethoff

Member at Large

Bobbi Wiethoff

Member At Large
memberatlarge@gooddog.org

Maureen Hughes

Treasurer

Maureen Hughes

Treasurer
treasurer@gooddog.org

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Webmaster
Support Cast

Refresh

Webmaster
webmaster@gooddog.org
Good Dog Agility Celebrates

Our Dogs!

Class Instructor

Bios

Karen R

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

KarenR
Instructor Bio

Elle Deavult

Beginners Instructor

Elle2
Instructor Bio

Barb Eggett

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

BarbDana
Instructor Bio

Gregor Carr

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

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Instructor Bio

Aciana Monasterial

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

AcianaKoda
Instructor Bio

Lydia Sharp

Intermediate Instructor

Lydia2
Instructor Bio

Lexi Wiethoff

Intermediate Instructor

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Instructor Bio

Jim Mayer

Handlers Instructor

Jim Mayer Bio Photo
Instructor Bio

Terry T

Advanced Beginners Instructor

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Instructor Bio

Margo Saum

Beginners Instructor

Kira CGC pic (1)
Instructor Bio

Jan Ballard

Foundations Instructor

Beginners Instructor

Instructor Bio

Bobbi Wiethoff

Beginners Instructor

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Instructor Bio

Ingrid Dirusso

Beginners Instructor

Ingrid
Instructor Bio

Videos!

Good Dog Agility

Membership

Here are some of the benefits of being a member of Good Dog:

  • Training classes
  • Access to Groups.io GDA Member Group
  • Agility Buddies
  • Doggie Bytes that can be used toward class fees! Just volunteer to help at one of our shows. See the show premium for details.
  • Fun Runs
  • Parties, Annual Luncheon, etc.

Membership

Annual Membership
$ 20
00
  • Training classes
  • Access to Groups.io GDA Member Group
  • Agility Buddies
  • Doggie Bytes
  • Fun Runs
  • Parties, Annual Luncheon, etc.
Register
Membership runs from September 1st through August 31st.
Membership is included in the fee when enrolling in a class.

After you have registered, you will be invited to join Groups.io or you can ask to join.

Group.io
Ask to join
We'd love to hear from you!

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Do you have any questions or just wanna say hi, contact us by filling out the form on the left and we’ll be in touch.

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About Us

Good Dog Agility Club (GDA) is a USDAA affiliated dog agility club in the east Phoenix metro area. Our training site is located at Family Faith Church (McQueen & Queen Creek). We host three USDAA shows a year.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Copyright 2014 – 2024 © All Right Reserved. Good Dog Agility Club (GDA)

Karen

Beginners Instructor

Hi!! My name is Karen, and I’ve been involved in agility for about 15 yrs.

I started as a junior handler and have gotten back into the sport as an adult. That first agility dog was a miniature Rat Terrier named Minnie. I didn’t realize until I started another dog what a gift she was and owe her much for what she taught me. My current agility dog is Lilo, a 3-year-old deaf border collie whose big goal is an ADCH. I own 3 border collies, 2 tortoises, and an Arabian horse. With agility training, I’m a big advocate for each dog as an individual, and if you can find strengths and build on them, you can achieve anything. Your dog is beyond capable and so are you! 

I have been instructing students in Agility since Spring, 2024 with GoodDog.org and for my own personal team since 2021.

Additional dog sports our team has explored are lure coursing and FASTCAT all around Arizona. 

Over 30 years, there have been nine dogs- most of these dogs were/are special needs from feral dogs to puppy mill dumps- all bring a unique personality to our home.  We learn as we go! Competition team:

  • India (2021-2024)
  • Red Barron (2023-2024)
  • Maggie (2023-2024) (newly acquired)    
  • Agility competition team in NADAC and USDAA
Education:
  • GoodDog.org classes:  Beginner; Advance Beginner, Intermediate
  • Desert Paws Agility
  • Bad Dog Agility
  • Susan Garrett Dog Sport Tips and Training
  • Doggie Steps Training

Volunteer:

  • 2023-2024 HARTT AZ (Humane Animal Trapping Team) Volunteer, South East Division

Barb
Eggett

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

Greetings! I’m Barb and I teach Beginners and Advanced Beginners.

I joined Good Dog Agility Club back in 2011 with my dog, Dana.  After I adopted her at 15 months, I noticed she liked to walk up on the curbs when we went for our walks and she had great balance and grace.   We had so much fun in the GDA classes, had very knowledgeable instructors and learned a lot.  Dana was a great little agility dog and at 11 she still participates in club demos and some fun runs. 

I started teaching in 2014. I have learned so much from my instructors in the past and continue to seek out positive training methods and find ways to work with each class and each team.   I have learned how important consent is and allowing the dog to make choices.  This helps to build a strong bond and trust.   It’s so fun to see the “light bulbs” go off for humans and dogs alike and then watch their continued progress as they have fun and work on their skills.

I served as Club Secretary for a few years and am currently the Club VP.  Dana was Webmaster from 2012 to 2021.

I’m recently retired and have been blessed with 2 wonderful grandchildren.  I live with 3 senior dogs (Dana-11, Billy-16 and Ricky-13).    I am also entertained by 3 chatty European starling rescues (Pepper, Flicka and Harry), a beautiful and feisty iguana (Arthur), a 100 lb. sulcata tortoise (Ethel) and a desert tortoise (Little One).  There is also a white pigeon that comes around to charm me into feeding him every day.

Beginners and Advanced Beginners Instructor

I came to Good Dog Agility with my first agility dog in February of 2008 and have been with them ever since. 

That first dog was a Queensland Heeler mix that I adopted as a puppy from the Arizona Humane Society.  She graduated from Beginner Class in June of 2008 and went on to earn her PDCH on 6-13-2015.  I trained a second dog, an Australian Shepherd also adopted from the Arizona Humane Society, who earned his PDCH on 2-22-2015.  I am currently working with another Australian Shepherd, who is close to completing his P1 title.

I started teaching agility classes for Good Dog Agility in the fall of 2008 and have taught various level classes on and off since then.  I especially like seeing the special bond between dog and handler develop and grow as they work with each other.

My teaching philosophy is that it should be fun for both you and your dog.  Patience and consistency will get you there.  Be open to try new things even if you don’t think it may work for you or your dog.  You may be surprised.

I have picked up many training tips and advice from instructors, students, other competitors, and even USDAA Judges over the years.  It’s amazing what you can learn just talking and listening to other agility people.

I am retired US Navy.  I spent 21 years in submarines so I didn’t have time for a dog until later in life.  I’m so happy to be able to make up for that now.  I also took over as the Club equipment manager in 2014 and enjoy doing all I can to help out with that as well.

I got interested in Dog Agility while watching my Grandpa run and train his dog when I was about 3 years old.

I would go home and run my stuffed toy puppies on a pretend agility course in the living room using chairs and pillows as obstacles.  Grandpa eventually made miniature agility obstacles including a set of weaves and taught me the proper entry and all about contacts too.

I started running one of his dogs in competition when I was 8 and got the final Snooker Q he needed to earn his PDCH.  As that dog got older I ran him in the Veterans Class and earned another Title with him.  I placed 3rd with him in the Junior Handlers Showcase at Cynosports. I now run and train his third agility dog and we are close to earning his P1 title.  I also have my own dog in the Continued Beginner Class now.  I adopted him from Border Collie Rescue.

I started teaching Beginner Classes in the Fall of 2019.  I was encouraged to start teaching by my Intermediate/Handlers Instructor, Maureen Hughes and I’m glad that I did.  I enjoy seeing the dogs and handlers gain confidence and learn to work with each other.

I also have been taking lessons and riding horses since I was 9. I ride English and have ridden in some Junior Hunter Jumper shows. I currently train at Crossroads Farm. 

Growing up, I rode horses competitively. After I started my family and my technology career, I down sized to dogs. Agility was a natural fit.

I have been competing in agility over 20 years with pure breeds and mixed breeds. I currently have 3 Labs…Cork-12 yrs, Juice-5 yrs, and Fizzy-20 mths.

I have earned multiple championships with different dogs and organizations, and have several AKC Top 25 Agility Dog breed rankings for Labs. I have competed in numerous AKC and USDAA national events with multiple Top 10 finishes and been on the podium at regional and National events. Most recently I was on the podium at the 2023 AKC National Agility Championship finals.

Agility is constantly changing so I regularly attend seminars offered by top national and international trainers to keep my skills current. 

Besides agility, my dogs and I also compete in scent work, obedience, and hunt tests. When I am not training, teaching or showing, I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and snow skiing.

I’m addicted to training. Watching the “light bulb” moments is such a rush. As dog trainers, we are very lucky to be able to connect and communicate so intimately with a different species. When it all comes together in that one special performance, it makes all the hours of dedication worth it.

My training philosophy is to build a strong foundation in both skills and theory so no course seems too difficult or unachievable. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with GDA students to help them achieve their agility goals. 

Hi, I’m Lexi! I started competing in agility when I was four years old, and have been working with my current dog, Bronx, for about four years now.

I have only worked with Australian Shepherds and probably always will. I’ve been with Good Dog since 2019, and I really fell in love with the club and sport as a whole.

Outside, I’m the captain of my high school’s cross country team and work at my local grocery store. I hope to go to college and become an equine veterinarian. I still have a far way to go, but I look forward to teaching what I’ve learned so far.

Jen

Intermediate Instructor

Terry

Intermediate Instructor

I joined Good Dog Agility with a Giant Schnauzer puppy in 1999.

I first started teaching with Good Dog while Lorraine Ayres was head instructor – at the time I had 12 dogs – each of whom went through the series of classes offered by Good Dog.  Was active competitively with four dogs.

My dogs and I participate more for enjoyment and companionship than we do for competition.

Margo
Saum

Beginners Instructor

I am currently retired. For much of my adult life, I owned and showed Arabians. I went trail riding throughout much of Arizona too. Now I am into smaller fur-pals, specifically Silky Terriers. I have been competing in Agility since 2017. I am still learning and am amazed at how much there is to learn in all aspects of this sport. In any area of competition, success is from working hard, practice and maintaining a positive attitude. Agility is a team sport – it requires a very real connection between you and your dog. And when you feel that connection, it is a powerful motivator!

Jan Ballard

Foundations Instructor

My name is Jan Ballard.

 I have been training dogs since 1968!  My professional training began in 1974 when I was selected as the first female Army K9 handler.  I graduated from that school as Distinguished Honor Graduate. 

While in the Army I joined the United States Police Canine Association which certifies police dogs and handlers regionally and nationally. They hold an annual Police dog trial consisting of many events during which you attempt to get a certifying score and are also competing against all the other teams that qualified through regionals for “Top Dog” status. I was the first female member of this association.  I won the top dog title 4 times and regional top dog 13 times with 3 different dogs.  I also won numerous individual awards and team awards.

I became a certified national judge and trainer with the USPCA. 

After retiring from police patrol dog training, I specialized in narcotic, explosive, and cadaver dogs for police departments.  I was the trainer for the bomb and narcotic dogs at MSP airport for several years, working with TSA, Homeland security and FBI to secure high quality teams for the safety of passengers after 911.  I also trained many other teams in Mn, Iowa and surrounding states, as well as Florida and Arizona.. 

I have been a trainer at National training seminars and a consultant for other large metro cities around the country.  Many of my detector dogs have won top dog status at the national level. 

I have also shown dogs in AKC in both conformation and obedience, winning a Dog World award with my Pomeranian in obedience. 

When I first began my training career, I was frequently appalled at the training methods used and immediately began to chart my own course with positive motivation.  Luckily and happily, many trainers now believe that using positive methods to get the results they are looking for makes things more fun and effective for both the dog and the handler. 

Although the type of agility I did for police work differs significantly from sport agility and I am fairly new to the sport, I am hoping to bring some assistance to those starting either in agility or simply wanting the basics of building a relationship with your dog that can give you the building blocks to be the team you want to be.