Super Dogs
Morgan Hill Dog Sports
Written By Robin Shepherd
T
here’s nothing like the bond between people and their dogs. Our four-legged
friends are trusted companions at home . . . and talented teammates on the
sports field. And nobody knows how to bring out a dog’s natural smarts, agility
and eagerness to please better than Vici Whisner and Laura Pryse.
As co-founders and owners of Morgan Hill Dog Sports, Vici and Laura take a
systematic approach to dog agility and obedience training with a focus on competitive
events. They teach clients (aka “handlers”) how to train their dogs, and the dogs learn
that training is fun.
Laura and Vici have many years of dog agility training and competition experience
under their belts. They’ve also assembled a top-notch team of trainers to round out
their program, and their accomplishments in the show ring have earned them a strong
reputation in Northern California.
Laura teaches advanced to master level classes. She and her four Border Collies, Stat,
Fireball, Hotshot and Dare Devil, are serious contenders in competitions hosted by
the Bay Area American Kennel Club, UK Agility International, and the US Dog Agility
Association. Fireball placed first and Hotshot was also a finalist in the Cynosports 2015
Grand Prix event.
Vici teaches foundation and beginning dog handling classes. She herself competes
primarily in USDAA venues with her Sheltie, Fin, a Cynosports 2015 Steeplechase
Finalist. She also competes with Olive, her Jack Russell Terrier.
Recently, gmhTODAY had the opportunity to observe these “super dogs” and their
owners during a training session at the Morgan Hill Dog Sports training facility in
San Martin, and to learn more about the business from Vici and Laura.
Q: What got you started in the business?
Years ago, we began training dogs in our own back yards. We got to know each other
and decided to go into business together to provide dog agility training for clients who
waned to enter competitions with their dogs. As the business grew and more trainers
joined our team, we added new classes to our schedule.
Q: What questions do people ask most often and how do you respond?
What is Dog Agility?
In agility competition, the handler
must guide his or her dog through an
obstacle course set with tunnels, jumps,
a teeter totter and other challenges
while racing against the clock. Handlers
whose dogs have the cleanest round and
the fastest time win the competition.
Local events provide opportunities to
progress from novice to master level and
from regional and national events.
Morgan Hill Dog Sports
13505 Murphy Avenue, San Martin
mhdogsports.com
poochsparadise.com
76
People want to know how long before their dogs will be ready to compete. Depending
on the abilities of both the dog and handler, it can take eighteen months or more
of training before most are ready to compete. When asked about training in areas
other than agility, we connect customers with our experts in “Rally-O” and traditional
obedience training. Occasionally we get a call from someone who wants a more casual
program. We let them know ours is geared toward training for competition and we
currently have a full schedule devoted to it.
Q: Describe the “ideal” client and dog for your program.
It depends on a number of factors. We assess the experience and skills of the dog
handler and the dog and their interactions, and place them in an appropriate class.
For our advanced classes we look for people with previous experience. For foundation
level work, we take anyone with an eagerness to learn. Our program is designed to
bring them up to a competitive level of discipline and skill even if they don’t end
up competing.
Those who do compete have won many awards for their agility dogs at regional and
national events. Competitiveness is always balanced with good sportsmanship and
fun. We not only celebrate every qualification and title earned, but also the positive
relationships that we develop with our dogs.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
gmhtoday.com