Risë Quay, agility dog trainer, conformation instructor and obedience trainer

A retired college professor, Risë Quay, has been training dogs longer than she would like to admit! She grew up with Rough Collies, Standard Poodles, and Afghan Hounds. As a young adult, she titled Great Danes, Basenjis, and Standard Schnauzers in obedience, earning high in trial awards with the Danes and Schnauzers.
    Risë has bred Great Danes and Standard Schnauzers, breeding both best in show and high in trial dogs (agility and obedience), MACH, OTCH, and TDX, as well as many specialty winners. She has handled dogs from the Working, Terrier, and Herding group to specialty and group-level awards.

Let’s not forget agility! She is currently showing CH Uhlan Weesbad Duty Free CDX, RE, AX, OAJ…looking for the last jumper’s leg before moving “Franke” to preferred and starting two new dogs. Risë uses the Greg Derrett system of handling. If you are a person who has trouble keeping up with a dog, or want to have the most fun you can even imagine with agility, this system is for you!

Over the years, Risë has seen training evolve from “corrections” to positive training—and especially likes to utilize clicker work with young and beginning dogs. When used correctly, the clicker is a great tool to teach dogs quickly what behaviors people appreciate. A student of dog behavior for many years, she enjoys training because of the rapport it creates between dog and handler. Her goal as both a breeder and trainer is to pass on the joy she receives daily from her own dogs…and can give back to the dogs with positive and consistent interaction and play responses.

Laurie Beck, UKC Obedience Judge

Laurie likes to say, "Obedience is a sport. Training is a game." And her classes reflect that mantra. Pup-A-Razzi is proud to have Laurie Beck as instructor for both Pre-Novice Comptetitive Obedience training classes and Novice Competitive Obedience training classes. Laurie is a UKC obedience judge, and her Briards have earned AKC and UKC OTCHes, UDX, UD, and CDX titles over the last fifteen years. Laurie uses positive reinforcement and play in her classes, so expect to get a bit of a work-out, yourself!

In addition to competitive obedience training, Laurie trains in agility, tracking and rally obedience. Her training methods apply across the board, setting the groundwork for a wide variety of competitive venues.

Group and drop-in Pre-Novice Competitive Obedience training classes and Novice Competitive Obedience training classes as scheduled. To sign up for class visit the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form. Private obedience lessons are available by appointment.

Jen Keene, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

Jen Keene, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) is an avid student of positive dog training methods. She is an energetic and motivational trainer. Jen attended both the 2002 and 2003 Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) conferences and has also completed training courses at Seaworld Orlando. Jen is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Author of "We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs", Jen joined our team in 2001.

Jen's goal is to help people and their dogs appreciate each others' talents and to live life the fullest in the world around them. Jen teaches many of our Basic Dog Training and Specialized Dog Training classes including: Puppy Training & Socialization, Beyond the Basics, Walk THIS Way, Total Recall dog training classes. To sign up for classes visit the dog training school section or the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form.

Erica Heider, SAMP, obedience trainer

Erica has been with Pup-A-Razzi for many years and recently completed her certification as a Small Animal Massage Practioner. In 2008, Erica helped develop Pup-A-Razzi's Reactive Dog training course called Calm & Control. Owned by two large, excitable dogs, Erica fully understands the challenges such dogs present. Her objective is to help all dogs lead full and complete lives. Erica teaches Calm & Control, Puppy Training & Socialization, and basic obedience training classes on occasion. Sign up for classes on the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form.

Lucy Bitz, agility dog trainer and conformation instructor

Lucy is the owner of a pack of Standard Schnauzers and Affenpinschers (monkey-like terriers) who all love showing in both the conformation and agility ring.  She has taken a crash-course in the world of showing and training dogs for the last six years and has a background in teaching both middle school and group exercise classes. She found her calling later in life although she should have recognized this calling when as a young child she used gather up all the dogs in the neighborhood and “play” doggie day care in the back yard. During these years she also rescued her first dog who was never allowed to attend her day care program and instead had spent his entire life tied to a stake.

Lucy has been showing in the conformation ring for four years and in the agility ring one year while earning five titles in 12 months!  She is new to breeding and is planning for a 2^nd litter of Affenpinschers in early Fall.

Lucy is very excited about her new role as owner of Pup-A-Razzi. She has been a very satisfied graduate of many great training classes over the past six years, and she is now looking forward to finding new ways to challenge both our dog and human clients. Lucy teaches agility dog training classes at Pup-A-Razzi. To sign up for classes visit the agility dog training page in our dog training school or the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form.

Heather Morley, rally obedience instructor

Heather has been training with her Chinese Pugs in agility and Rally Obedience since 2004. Yes, you read correctly--pugs in agility! Heather is a wonderful addition to our training staff, and she is no stranger to our team. As our head professional dog groomer, Heather has an excellent understanding of different breeds. As a breeder and conformation participant, she also understands how structure can impact the performance dog.

To sign up for classes visit the Rally Obedience or Rally-O! section, or the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form.

Jennifer Miller, obedience trainer, CGC evaluator

With a background in Basenjis and Rhodesian Ridgebacks (not to mention being mother to a successful Junior Handler), Jennifer injects her classes with common sense and a positive attitude. She actively participates in AKC Conformation and Lure Coursing events and understands
the special training needs of "show dogs" (i.e. stand instead of sit) and sight hounds. Jennifer she is also certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Currently, Jennifer leads classes in Dog Training Basics, Puppy Training & Socialization, Beyond the Basics and Canine Good Citizen training.

Tamara DePue, obedience trainer

Talk about world training experience! Tam has taught classes in Europe and the US. She comes to us with a wide range of breed experience, with a deep understanding of sight hounds and the unique challenges they present. Tam's teaching style is quiet and positive. She considers each dog as an individual, and her deep bag of training tips offers several solutions to training issues. Tamara teaches Puppy Training & Socialization, Basic Obedience and Walk THIS Way classes.

To sign up for classes visit the Basic Dog Training section, the specialized dog training section or the Dog Training Class Sign-up Form.