Hello, my name is Jeff McMaines

My experience started 32 years ago with my first dog, Duffer, a Springer Spaniel puppy. At six months of age Duffer and I started obedience training. I enjoyed this hobby so much I apprenticed at the FM Obedience School and taught classes for 30 years. In those 30 years, my training has been obtained by attending many clinics ranging from one day to one week in duration from locations in Fargo, North Dakota to Galesburg, Illinois.

In 1978 I started exhibiting in obedience competitions and earning titles in the various areas of obedience, agility, rally and, conformation on my dog and working up to a WC (working certificate) in Canada.

For the past 14 years I have been involved with the 4-H program starting when my children enrolled. Through their participation I became an active adult leader in the Dog Project and served as a County Dog Project leader, served on a State Dog Project Planning Development Committee with my daughter and became a certified judge for county and state dog show competitions.

For the past ten years I have trained and exhibited in agility and rally. My training methods are a work in progress. I find that even after 30 years there are new things to learn and new ways to teach. My experience is in a variety of breeds – including but not limited to Springer’s, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Border Collies, Rough Collies and Tollers.

During my experiences I have been fortunate to earn many titles on the dogs I have worked with and the great joy of working with people and dogs.