Updated June 2010    
                
          Home         
      


The Wag It Staff

Sumac is the owner of Wag It Training Center and the founder of Wag It Games, Competitive Dog Sports. Sumac brings together over thirty five years of varied experience as a dog trainer. She has appeared on the Disney's "That's My Dog" and the PBS show "Fetch". She is the Founder of Wag It Games, competitive Dog Sport. Sumac is the first fully approved APDT Rally Obedience Judge in New England and the first APDT Rally Representative in the state of Maine. Sumac also participated on the Association of Pet Dog Trainer's rules and regulations committee. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Love on a Leash Therapy Dog evaluator.

Sumac's training approach is based on modern animal behavioral theory and positive training techniques. She believes training should be enjoyable for both the dog and the handler.

In 2008 Phoebe and Sumac earned two Awards of Excellence for high scoring performances and ranked 11th in national in APDT Rally. She has also achieved many titles in obedience and agility.

She has participated and or competed in obedience, agility, Rally, freestyle, herding, flyball, and pet therapy.

Sumac is member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, CPE, USDAA and the Mid Coast Kennel Club. She is also a certified agility instructor by Julie Daniels, White Mountain Agility School.

Sumac has worked with many of the top instructors in the USA in many areas of training and Dog Behavior. Ian Dunbar, Dr Nicholas Dodman, Lo Baker · Cindy Ratner · Jean Mackenzie · Julie Daniels · Stacy Peardot-Goudy · Rachel Sander · Anne Andrle · Leslie McDevitt · Deb Jones · Debbie Gross-Saunders and Dee Ganley. She has also been influenced by the work of Karen Pryor, Susan Clothier, Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Susan Garrett, Linda Mecklinburg, Gregg Derrit and Pam Dennison. Sumac continues to expand and update her knowledge with continuing education on a regular basis.

Sumac's classes are chock full of information, hands on practice and often chocolate for the handlers.

Sumac currently instructs, Puppy classes, Wag It Games Classes and a variety of Agility classes.

Sumac is available to offer a variety of seminars.

Annette MacNair

Annette began her involvement with training animals in the horse world. Annette trained her first pony at age 9 after trading the family piano for a cute but very green young horse. She continued to train and compete with horse most of her adult life. Dogs have always played an important role in Annette's life. She began seriously training dogs at age 18 with her Doberman/Mix, Damien and her German Shepherd Dog Maxx. Annette has dedicated herself to a broad education in dog behavior, obedience, agility, dog wellness and teaching theory. Annette is now enjoying training and competing with her Beautiful Golden Retriever, Grace. They have earned numerous titles in both agility and Rally Obedience. In 2009 Annette and Grace Ranked 9th in the United States in the Championship level of APDT Rally. Annette is an APDT Level 2 Rally judge and representative as well as a certified Wag It Instructor. Annette is also an American Red Cross Canine First Aid Instructor.

Melissa Johnson

Melissa began seriously working with dogs in 1989. She has trained and competed in Agility from the early days of the sport. She has see it grow and become a sport of speed and detailed handling. Melissa is a retired CPE and T-Cup Agility Judge. She began teaching in 1997 at All Dogs Gym and Inn in Manchester, NH. Melissa has earned a variety of titles with Whippets, Lurchers, a Corgi and a Terrier. She is currently competing in USDAA at a Masters level with her Lurcher, Cricket and close to earning her CPE CATCH title. She is also working Cricket and her Corgi, Bunter in Rally Obedience as well as bringing along her new rescue dog, Slipper. Melissa has trained with some of the best, building a vast knowledge of handling, behavior, health and performance details. She places great importance of conditioning dogs to be fit and perform the athletic sport of agility with safety first and foremost. Melissa is currently expanding her knowledge by pursuing certification as a Veterinary Technician and studying Water Therapies for dogs.

Melissa is currently offering Foundation and competitive Agility classes.