Dave Crawford
I have been a member of LTDTC since 2005 and instructor since 2007. I’ve taught Advanced Beginners for several years and puppy classes for several more. I’ve taught Rally and filled in as an instructor for every class level the club offers. Currently, I’m teaching the Basic 2 Obedience class.
Over the years, I’ve owned a Beagle, a Dachshund, and a Cocker Spaniel. I got involved with dog training as the breeder that we got one of our Bassets from sold her to us with the condition that we take her to training at LTDTC. She excelled in her training and I started competing with her. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to help others experience the bond that I developed with my girl.
I now own Basset Hounds and have competed and trained them in obedience, rally, tracking, scent work, agility, and conformation. I’m currently showing my one girl in conformation, obedience, rally and tracking. My other girl is showing in rally and scent work.
I am a member of Fort Dearborn Basset Hound Club, Glenbard All Breed Obedience Club, and Basset Hound Club of America. I have evaluated a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test for the Fort Dearborn Basset Hound Club.
I have achieved many titles with my dogs. My first Basset girl that I trained earned her CDX, RAE3, and won High in Trial in obedience 4 times at the Basset Hound Nationals. My second Basset girl earned a CD, RAE and a TD. One of my current Bassets has her CD, RI, BN, CH and TD. She also has won High in Trial in obedience at the Basset Hound Nationals. My other Basset girl has an RN and SWN title.
The advice I give to my students is this: Everyone starts training their dog because they enjoy training and they want to spend time with their dog. Don’t lose sight of that. It’s easy to get caught up in the titles. Remember to have fun with your dog. Also, do what your dog enjoys, not what you enjoy doing.
Deborah Sazma
I have been a member of LTDTC for 19 years and an instructor for 17 years. I am currently the Club Secretary. I’m proud to say that I introduced the club to agility when the sport first started. I was the very first agility instructor and agility trial chairperson for the club. I have taught agility and obedience. I currently teach the Rally class.
In the past, I have assisted my sister with her cats in cat shows. I got involved with dog training when my mom decided she wanted to show dogs. I thought I would be good at it. So we started with obedience and I did a little conformation and a lot of agility, obedience and rally along the way. That was 21 years ago. Over the years, I have owned 9 American Cocker Spaniels. We do Obedience, Rally and Agility.
I am a 20-year member of the Skyline Cocker Club and serve as show secretary and club secretary. I am a 12-year member of Glenbard All Breed Obedience Club where I also have taught Rally for the last 3 years. I have been a member for the last 20 years of Chicago Agility where I assist in agility classes. As a 20-year member of the American Spaniel Club, I have served as Agility Trial Chair.
Over the years, I have achieved the following titles with my dogs:
- 7 CDs
- Numerous Rally titles
- 5 RAEs
- Numerous Agility titles, including a Master Bronze Jumpers and Master Jumpers, and Master Standard and Master Fast on several dogs
- Assisted in obtaining the Conformation titles of Grand Champion and Champion on two different Cocker Spaniels
The training advice I give to my students is to be consistent with your training, don’t get discouraged, be upbeat and positive. Go back to basics. Sometimes you need to refresh you and your dog’s skills. Find what your dog likes to do and continue with it. They may not like to do one thing but excel at another.
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Donna Angeleri
Andy Ansenberger
Scott Beitzel
Gina Cameron
Gary Chan
Dave Crawford
Jillian Dirks
Laura Donaldson
Loretta Marchese
Ron McGrath
Gail Meyers
Donna Nuger
Phil Nuger
Erin Rezmer
Tom Rezmer
Jan Salzman
Deborah Sazma
Mary Simpson
Marie Smith
Sue Sobyra
Marie Starsiak
Kevin Wyderka
Bob Zak