Cooperation thru Kindness
Welcome to
Clever Girl Dog Training!
I'm Darcy, a dedicated dog trainer with significant experience in obedience, agility, nosework, and search and rescue. I am also a certified Canine Cognition Instructor. If you're looking for personal pet training, setting up a cognition testing weekend, or SAR workshops, I'm here to help.
ABOUT ME
I have been working and training dogs for over 30 years. I have trained and titled in obedience, agility, tracking and nosework and have been a search and rescue handler for nearly 30 years. I started as an instructor at the former Obedience Training Cener of Huntsville where I taught puppy to advanced obedience classes for about 15 years. I love helping people learn to work with their dogs to meet their goals - whether it is your pet in your house or your working dog learning new skills. I believe in building the bond between you and your dog in the most positive way possible. I have worked with a large variety of breeds, fostered nearly 100 dogs of various sizes and shapes, and continue to expand my knowledge through additional training and seminars. I am also a certified instructor for FordK9 Canine Cognition testing and can do 2-3 day testing events for all dogs. Learn more about how your specific dog thinks with a canine cognition test event.
SERVICES
PERSONAL PET TRAINING
Interested in one on one training for you and your dog? I will meet with you individually to evaluate and discuss the best way to make sure your dog fits into your life. From house manners to advanced obedience, I can help.
COGNITION TESTING
Interested in hosting a Canine Cognition test? I am a certified instructor through Ford K9 and am fascinated with congnition. If you are interested in hosting a 2 or 3 day cognition testing seminar please contact me! Highly recommended for competition canines, SAR canines and any other working canine.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
As a long time SAR handler in Area, HRD Land and HRD Water, I am happy to travel and provide workshops for you or your team. I can also provide additional experienced instructors. Contact me if interested.
My Dogs!
I have trained, competed and worked all of my personal dogs.
Ripley was my first dog, a shepherd/lab mix maybe that was a rescue. She had obedience titles up to the Utility Dog and had both her Tracking Dog and Tracking Dog Excellent Titles. I started her in search and rescue but a bad knee on her side led me to...
Scully. Scully was a purebred working labrador and search work was her main 'job' but she also titled in obedience (UD) and Agility (AX, OAJ) and was certified in SAR in both Area and HRD. For fun, I also put a tracking dog title on Scully.
Rogue was my second official SAR dog and she also certified in both Area and HRD. She also had obedience and agility titles (UD, MX, AXJ)
Rogue was followed by Beckett, another high drive working labrador also certified in Area and HRD. Beckett had a lighter obedience career (CDX, RN). Time constraints limited her agility career, and we focused on SAR.
My current dogs are Blue and Charlie. Blue is my current SAR dog, again certified Area and HRD. She is a fun little pocket dog and has focused her time solely in SAR.
I foster failed a Bernese Mountain Dog called Charlie and am currently enjoying training her and showing her in Scent Work (currently at the excellent level in AKC and we have our ORT in NACSW). Charlie also trains a fair amount of obedience but has yet to enter a ring. Maybe in our future!
