V Force Dog Training
Taking your team to the next level
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Melissa of V Force Dog Training
Quite simply I am the trainer and handler I am because of the dog I fell into. Its taken time, blood, sweat, tears, and luck, but it's been a fun ride. I acquired Vader as a pet, a possible agility dog, and he became so much more. I fell in love with dog training and dog sports and have never looked back. It became my passion and I devoted myself to it. I tore through every book I could find on dog behavior, how scent works, and dog training. I attended seminars I could find and went to watch other dog trainers instruct. Every year we go on more adventures and our bond grows stronger. From NW1 to NW3 Elite within the span of a year, I've loved our journey and continue to experience joy as I work and grow through education and trial experience. I've since started teaching others both in search and rescue work, nose work, and basic obedience/cgc through group and private lessons.
I love seeing the 'light bulb' go off as handlers make connections and improve their handling and skills. Trouble shooting is my one of my favorite things. The happiness of owners as they see their canine friend succeed and improve, there is nothing greater. Nosework is a sport that can help decrease reactivity in dogs, improve confidence in more timid or fearful dogs, and improve the bond between dog and human as we learn to listen and communicate with our canine partners. Something so simple, can improve so much. I have my dog to thank for sharing his world with me and I'd like to help your dog share his world with you through this wonderful sport.
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Accomplishments
Certifying Official in Search and Rescue for AWDA
Invitation to 2017 NACSW Nationals Invitational
Official AKC, CWAGS, and USCSS Scent Work Judge
Summit title with second place overall!
7th ranked NACSW Elite dog team in the nation on the national qualifying list.
2017 Sar Instructor/Certifier at AWDA Seminar
First dog team to accomplish NW3, NW3 ELITE, ELITE L1, ELITE L2, ELITE L3, and ELITE CH in the Pittsburgh area
1st place (High in Trial) at an elite trial X 3
2nd place overall at an elite trial
Too many to count elite search placements
Too many to count pronounced searches
NW3 Elite, NW3-C, NW3-E, NW3-I, NW3-V x 2 on two different dogs with placements
NW3 X 2 on two different dogs
NW2 earned on two different dogs-3rd place in vehicle search and second place in vehicle search on second dog
NW1on two different dogs with a 2nd in containers
ORT Birch, Anise and Clove on two different dogs
L3C, L3V, L2C, & L2E element titles earned on one dog.
L1E, L1C, L1V, L1I, L2I, & L2V titles earned on a two dogs
L2V 1st Place Overall, 1st and 3rd place searches
L2C 2nd place Overall, 1st and 2nd place searches
L2E 3rd place Overall, 1st and 2nd place searches
L1V-2nd Place element search
L1C-1st Place Overall, 1st place, 2x 2nd place, & 3rd place searches
L1E-2x 3rd place searches
Attended and competed at the first Summit Trial in the U.S.
AKC SIA, SEA, SCA, SWN, SIN, SEN, SBN, SCNE, & SCN titles
Multiple placements at AKC Trials
USCSS DDA title with second overall placement, high in trial champion, and element placements
USCSS DDI title with third overall placement and multiple element placements
USCSS DDI title with fourth overall placement with a second dog and element placements
USCSS DDN title with high in trial overall placement, high in trial champion placement, and first in vehicles
USCSS DDN title with a second dog with a fourth in containers
BACH title on a dog
2016 Assistant Sar Instructor at AWDA Seminar
2015 AWDA Sar Trailing Certification
2014 USMA Sar Trailing Certification
AKC CGC Title
AKC Trick dog titles on two different dogs
UCN1 Titles
Parkour Titles
AKC Rally Novice Title
TDI Title
AKC DSX, DS x 2, DJ x 2, and DSA x 2 dock diving titles
AKC HDN, HDM, AM Titles
AKC 2016 Dock Diving Nationals Invitation
AKC 2021 Dock Diving Regionals Invitation for 2 dogs in distance and hydodash
UKC USJ Dock Diving Title-Made it into finals at first competition
AKC CAT lure coursing test and CAA Advanced
AKC FAST CAT BCAT title x 2, DCAT title
AKC CGC Evaluator (All levels including star puppy)
AKC TRICK Dog Evaluator
AKC Virtual Home Manners Evaluator
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Education
Notable seminars and events listed, however there are also too many to simply list that have helped me over the years. From attending other SAR teams trainings, to traveling to work with SAR trainers, nose work instructors, dog trainers, or simply to watch other teams work with their dogs and instructors. They all have my thanks and gratitude. There are also numerous texts and online educational classes I have taken to help 'build my toolbox' in regards to dog training. Forever a life long student, keep learning and growing always.
2021 Jacy Kelly Container Mysteries and Stupid human tricks Work shop
2021 NACSW Fall Virtual Nose Work Camp
2021 McManus Distractions and Coverage Workshop
2021 Garrett Dyer Seminar
2021 McManus Trial from Hell 3 and Games Seminar
2021 Lemonade Fenzi and IABC Virtual Seminar
2021 NACSW Virtual Nose Work Camp Spring
2020 Garrett Dyer Nose Work Seminar
2020 NACSW Virtual Nose work camp Spring and Fall
2020 Lemonade Fenzi and IABC Virtual Seminar
2020 McManus Games and Trial from hell Seminar
2020 Fall NACSW Virtual Nose work camp
2019 McManus Four Pillars and Patterns/Handling pt 2
2019 AKC Judges seminar working spot
2019 AVTE Conference
2019 Patterns, Handling, & Games McManus Seminar
2019 Midwest Veterinary Conference
2019 Michael McManus Games Seminar
2018 Tony Gravely Seminar
2018 Jacey Kelly Seminar
2018 Michael McManus Games Seminar
2018 RA Boyles Scent Work Work Shop
AWDA K9-Search and Rescue Seminar 2018
AWDA/Bullocks K9-Search and Rescue Seminar 2017
Kocher Method Sar Seminar 2017
Nosework workshop with Cindy Luster 2016
Kocher Method Sar Seminar 2016
NACSW Founder Ron Gaunt Nosework Seminar 2016
Nosework seminar with Stacey Barnett 2016
Kocher Method SAR seminar 2015
Nosework Seminar with Sergio Rojas 2015
USMA SAR Seminar 2014
Kocher Method SAR Seminar 2014
USMA Sar Seminar 2013
7 years of obedience/behavioral/training classes with different methods
1.5 years of agility classes with different methods
1 year of therapy dog class with different methods
Lessons taken with 5 different CNWI's
Lessons with 3 NACSW CO's and previous nationals competitors
Multiple Online Nosework Classes
Dog in white at an Elite Trial and a USCSS Adv trial
Educational/Teaching Continuing Education Classes
Volunteer at too many NACSW, AKC, and USCSS trials to count
Masters degree in Psychology
Bachelors degree in Psychology
Associates degree in Veterinary Technology
Certified Veterinary Technician
Fear Free Certified
College Instructor/Educator
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