Elaine Coupé and ADCH-Silver Bounce

Elaine Coupé, owner of For Pet's Sake, Inc. has owned and informally and formally trained a variety of dogs all her life.  Breeds ranged from Norwegian Elkhounds to Shelties to Collies to Yorkshire Terriers to Beagles to Border Collies to Brittanies to mutts.  Her first rescue was a Brittany, Sport.  

 

Shadow, a pound puppy affectionately known as a Borderline Collie, was the driving force for agility.  Shadow started training in formal obedience but after earning his CD Shadow stated his desire to do something together that was more active.   Agility, combined with clicker training (the kinder, gentler and faster way to train), was the answer. 

 

Elaine and Shadow went on to complete titles in USDAA at the highest level.  In 1999 Shadow even competed in the USDAA Nationals for his one and only time, earning a semifinalist spot in the Grand Prix.  Unfortunately, Shadow, (MAD, RM, SM, JM*) developed Addison's disease soon after that appearance and was not able to sustain the rigors of competition except at local trials. He decided to retire from agility competition January 23, 2004. Faced with another car ride, Shadow checked out the car - and went inside and lay down.  Shadow retired as a 9 year old Borderline Collie pound puppy with the distinguished titles of MAD, SM, RM, JM, OAC, NA, NAJ, CD, CGC and having the distinction of being a GP Semifinalist in 1999.  Thanks to Shadow, Elaine became a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and a certified agility instructor.

In 2001, Elaine acquired a new Border Collie puppy, Bounce. That little puppy started his agility career in January 2003 and in 2 AKC trials acquired the NA title, and the AD title in 2 USDAA competitions.  On July 31, 2004 Bounce finished the Agility Dog Championship (ADCH) Title (USDAA).

 

As of this date (March 2009), Bounce is  ADCH-Silver Bounce, having successfully earned at least 25 legs in each of the disciplines:  Gamblers, Tournament classes, Relay, Jumpers, Standard and Snooker.  He is Tournament-Platinum (50 legs) and Gamblers Champion Gold (35 legs) and has earned the Lifetime Achievement Award-Silver (250 total legs.)

 

Bounce faces competition from his baby brother, ADCH Trip!, TM-Silver, GCH-bronze, JCH-bronze, SACH-bronze, SCH-bronze.  Trip! (Park Ave's What a Trip!) was born Oct. 6, 2004, and is also a Border Collie.  He loves to "kill the hose" and sleep on his back.  A real couch potato around the house, you would never suspect that he has any drive - until he goes outside to work! 

 

Brassy Beagle, AD,  has also been added to the mix. 

 

Elaine and Shadow earn

the Masters Agility Dog (MAD) title*

 

 

Breeds that have trained in agility with Elaine include fast dogs, slow dogs, young dogs, old dogs, Border Collies, Poodles big and small, Mutts big and small, Aussies, Bichon Frise's, German Shepherd Dogs, Goldens, Dobermans, Shelties, Corgis, Labs, Whippets, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Beagles, Dachshunds, Cattle dogs, Cocker Spaniels, and Brittanies, to name just a few.

 

Obedience is limited to private training/ behavioral training only.  (See our "contacts" page for class recommendations.) 

 

 

*Master Agility Dog (MAD), Relay Master (RM), Snooker Master (SM) , Gamblers Master (GM) , JM (Jumper Master), ADCH (Agility Dog Champion), and TM (Tournament Master),are registered trademarks of United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA).  See the USDAA web site (usdaa.com) for a complete listing of titles and requirements to achieve those titles.