Lynne Poirier

Lynne’s initial foray into the obedience world was in 1976 with a little red Dachshund, but she soon fell in love with the working drive of Shetland Sheepdogs and began a very successful breeding program of Shelties under the Silkseal kennel name. She has trained 7 dogs to 13 obedience titles including three OTCHs. Her ‘wall of fame’ includes HITs in Canada and the US and a 200 score in Utility. Concurrently, she showed her dogs successfully in conformation, finishing several Champions. Owners continue to add to the 166 titles on Silkseal puppies to date. Lynne began instructing for LDTA in 1980 and has taught all levels from Puppy Kindergarten to Utility. She creates a relaxed environment that encourages dogs to think and complete the exercises successfully. Lynne is a life member of the LDTA, the CKC and the Canadian Collie and Shetland Sheepdog Association and has served on the executive of the LDTA and the CCSSA.

Diane Perreault

Diane began training with LDTA in 1995 with her first Labrador Retriever, Bonasse. She became hooked on the sport of dog obedience and joined the instructing team in 1996. She has taught all levels of the public classes, as well as several levels of member classes. Each of her dogs completed their CD title. Moka, her 13 year old yellow Labrador, completed her CDX and trained in utility until she was 12, happy to come to class to work for Diane and for treats (a typical Lab!). Diane is currently training Défi, a 5 year old yellow Lab, in open and Rally-O.

Sheila Latham

Sheila became a member of LDTA in 1997 and a member of the instructing staff in 1998. Her love of dogs has been lifelong, from becoming the best friend to a neighbor’s black lab as a very young child to the joy of sharing her life with the first dog she could call her own – a Golden Retriever named Jiggs. Because she wanted a good-mannered, obedient dog, she enrolled Jiggs in Puppy Kindergarten and was soon introduced to a whole world of dog sport activities. Today she shares her life with two Golden Retrievers – Dixie and Ginger – and is active in obedience, rally obedience and agility. She believes that balance is important in training – a dose of hard work with plenty of time to romp and play or recuperate with snuggles and belly rubs. Life is good!

Nayda Jeffery

Although she claims ‘it seems like yesterday’, Nayda has been an LDTA member for 10 years. She successfully trained her yellow Labrador Retriever Duke to his OTCH title and is currently training her black Labrador Retriever Bentley in both obedience and agility. She became part of the instructing team in 2011 and is looking forward to learning, instructing and competing for many years to come.

Gail Gordon

Gail was born ‘crazy about animals’ particularly dogs and horses. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys sharing her passion for the outdoors with her canine companions. She trained 2 Belgian Shepherds with LDTA from Puppy Kindergarten right through to Utility titles and her youngest Belgian has just achieved her CD title and is training in Open. Gail and her dogs are also active in Rally-O and agility. She loves the relationship that develops as you reach out to your dog and ask them to learn and perform increasingly difficult tasks – a relationship built on trust and respect and love.

Sharon Gibbons

Sharon is passionate about dog obedience and thrilled when she sees new dog owners developing good communication with their dog. She has been an LDTA member since 1995. She believes that good training methods lead to good results and the very best results happen when the dog and the owner/family develop an appropriate and loving relationship that lasts the lifetime of the dog.

Andrea Crowley

Andrea began dog training at 13 years old with her first dog Molly. After completing all the classes that LDTA offered to the public, she became an LDTA member. Eight years, 2 dogs, 2 equivalent obedience titles, and ‘lots of fun’ later, she loves assisting the obedience classes offered to the public. She currently shares her life with Molly, an 8 year old German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix with a sweet and gentle personality, and Anuk, a 7 year old Alaskan Husky who is sweet as well as independent with a dose of attitude (she likes to work when she decides she wants to)! Both dogs have achieved their CD equivalency titles and Molly loves being the ‘demo dog’ for the public classes! Andrea and her canine companions also enjoy Rally-O and agility.

Marie-Johanne Cloutier

A German Shepherd Dog named Uschi came into Marie-Johanne’s life in 1977 and gave her a passion for obedience training. She has trained 10 German Shepherd Dogs and competed in Canada, the United States and Bermuda, accumulating 30 obedience and rally obedience titles as well as agility and championship titles. Today she shares her life with Jimmy, a young German Shepherd Dog that has finished his championship and has a PCD. In 2001, Marie-Johanne became a CKC licensed obedience trial judge and has undertaken judging assignments across Canada as well as part of the United States and Bermuda. While she loves travelling to new places, meeting great dogs and discovering different clubs, she says that none are as great as LDTA!

Janis Carruthers

Janis is proud to say that she has been a member of LDTA for almost a quarter of a century and has been teaching for much of that time. A new world opened up to her when she watched a small Sheltie working a Novice routine at the Hochelaga Dog Show – she was amazed by the teamwork, the trust and the extraordinary bond between the dog and human and knew that was what she wanted! She has trained and trialed 5 Shelties and currently shares her life with Christy, Skylar and Izzy. She is still passionate about the obedience world, still teaching and still learning from her dogs.

Sheila Brunies

A club member since 1986, Sheila earned a LDTA equivalent CD title with her first dog – a husky mix named Chibi. Hooked on the sport of dog obedience, she subsequently trained 4 German Shepherds to various official titles. She became a member of the LDTA instructing staff in 1990 and was also on the staff of Volhard Dog Training Camps in the US. Today she shares her life with Nika, a German Shepherd, and Connor, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and they keep her busy with obedience, rally obedience, tracking and herding. Connor is also pursuing a conformation career and is on his way to becoming a breed champion. When not out with the dogs, Sheila is slaving over a hot stove making her famous liver treats (the preferred treat of many of the region’s dogs).

Wanda Brown

An active LDTA member training Golden Retrievers until 2002, Wanda was thrilled to return to the club in 2010 and join the instructing team in 2012. Accustomed to training ‘big and bouncy’ Goldens, her training abilities have broadened as she now shares her life with Jazz, a small Havanese with a desire to work but a timid personality. Wanda loves to share her enthusiasm and passion for all things ‘dog’ and is active in both obedience and agility training. She believes that effective training is fair, consistent, respectful, fun and utilizes strategy appropriate for each particular dog. ”Whatever we are goes down the leash into the dog’s behavior. Dogs teach us about ourselves, if we are ready to listen.”

Jean Bourdon

Jean has always loved dogs and especially appreciates their loyalty and commitment to work. He started obedience classes with his first dog, a rescue Chow. In the late 90’s, he met his wife and became immersed in the world of Labrador Retrievers. He has trained multiple dogs to titles, most notably AJ, a black Labrador Retriever who has earned his American CGC title, American CDX title, Canadian OTCH title as well as his WC title. His personal goal is to continue to learn and increase his expertise in obedience training. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and helping others achieve their obedience goals. He believes that ‘obedience gives your dog the freedom to be safe’.

Françoise Adam

Françoise has been very active in LDTA since joining in 1998. The last 15 years have been filled with German Shepherds and various dog sports, including obedience, rally obedience, agility and tracking. Zoé was the first dog she trained to a CDX title and the first LDTA dog to obtain a Rally Excellent title. Françoise’s passion for the sport motivated her to become a CKC Rally-O judge. Today she shares her life with two German Shepherds – Alex, who is pursuing a tracking career, and Jake, a rescue from Gerdy’s Rescue, who is training in obedience and agility.