Melissa started training dogs when she was 11 years old. Her parents got her a puppy, thinking it would be cheaper then getting her a pony...it may have been for the first dog or two, but that number quickly increased! Melissa began competing in ASCA, AKC, and UKC shows as well as 4H. Her novice A dog was a collie (from the humane society) named Sam. She did agility and obedience primarily throughout her teens. Her sheltie, Wysk (CKC MOTCHX ASCA OTCH IntCH Blue Banners Whispering Echo UDX ASCA UD STDs HSAs OA OAJ) was her first major obedience dog. Melissa and Wysk traveled all over the US and even up into Canada for showing. Wysk was internationally ranked both in the US and in Canada in obedience for several years. Wysk competed in Open at the 1999 Gains Pupperoni National Championship in Portland, OR and again at the final Gains Pupperoni National Championship in Louisville, KY in 2000. He placed 4th, overall, in agility. Wysk competed at several sheltie nationals and in several sports. Wysk died in 2012, a month shy of 17 years old. He was truly a heart dog.
Since then Melissa's herd has greatly expanded as have her skills. Melissa is an ASCA obedience judge, an NADD dock diving judge,an UpDog disc judge, and a MN 4H Dog Project judge. She competes in obedience, rally, agility, disc, dock diving, herding, nose/scent work, weight pull, conformation, IPO, and ringsports. Some of her accomplishments include nationally ranked dock diving dogs as well as multiple world champion dock diving dogs. National qualifier disc dogs, nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs. Her dogs have been invited to compete at dock diving championships for the past 7 years (as well as 8+ world champion titles). disc championships for the past 12 years, AKC Rally National Championship qualifiers for the past 5 years, and AKC obedience class invite for 2017.
Melissa has been teaching classes since she was 13 years old- starting with 4H. She has since taught classes for several kennel clubs, boarding facilities and other training facilities in Minnesota. Additionally she teaches at Yellowstone Dog Sports every summer at their summer camps (plus random disc and dock diving seminars).
Melissa has also traveled w/a couple of different stunt dog groups- performing around the country at different fairs and festivals. She spends most of September and all of October in Omaha doing shows w/the Fantastic Flying Canines Show showcasing her dogs in disc, agility, and tricks.
In addition to competing, Melissa is also the founder and president of Border Collie Rescue of Minnesota. Her and Paul are huge advocates for rescue dogs and the wonderful sport dogs and companions they can be! 75% of Melissa's dogs are rescue dogs. Melissa is a firm believer in balanced training techniques and looks forward to helping you and your dog achieve greatness!
Since then Melissa's herd has greatly expanded as have her skills. Melissa is an ASCA obedience judge, an NADD dock diving judge,an UpDog disc judge, and a MN 4H Dog Project judge. She competes in obedience, rally, agility, disc, dock diving, herding, nose/scent work, weight pull, conformation, IPO, and ringsports. Some of her accomplishments include nationally ranked dock diving dogs as well as multiple world champion dock diving dogs. National qualifier disc dogs, nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs. Her dogs have been invited to compete at dock diving championships for the past 7 years (as well as 8+ world champion titles). disc championships for the past 12 years, AKC Rally National Championship qualifiers for the past 5 years, and AKC obedience class invite for 2017.
Melissa has been teaching classes since she was 13 years old- starting with 4H. She has since taught classes for several kennel clubs, boarding facilities and other training facilities in Minnesota. Additionally she teaches at Yellowstone Dog Sports every summer at their summer camps (plus random disc and dock diving seminars).
Melissa has also traveled w/a couple of different stunt dog groups- performing around the country at different fairs and festivals. She spends most of September and all of October in Omaha doing shows w/the Fantastic Flying Canines Show showcasing her dogs in disc, agility, and tricks.
In addition to competing, Melissa is also the founder and president of Border Collie Rescue of Minnesota. Her and Paul are huge advocates for rescue dogs and the wonderful sport dogs and companions they can be! 75% of Melissa's dogs are rescue dogs. Melissa is a firm believer in balanced training techniques and looks forward to helping you and your dog achieve greatness!