Meet Our Instructors
Kathe Baxter
CNWI, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
Currently Teaching: All levels of Nose Work, 1,
2, 3, Elite, summit
My love for training is instilled through developing the natural human canine relationship, communication, understanding and overall respect for each other. I strive to prove the foundation guidance and coaching to create happy, well-adjusted relationships with our family pet members. As a member of the APDT, I adhere to a Professional Code of Ethics and treat everyone (human and canine) with kindness, patience and respect.
Growing up with dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and many farm animals, there was no way Kathe Baxter could not love animals! She has pursued her love of animals! She has pursued her love of animals as a trainer, pet caregiver, therapy team and is the proud owner of Waggin' Works.
She was introduced to the sport of K9 Nose Work when it was first made known to the East Coast in 2010 and was part of the first graduating class of CNWI Nose Work instructors. Kathe is a Certifying Official for NACSW trials (approved for all levels), Trial Judge, ORT Certifying Official and Judge, she hosts many sanctioned trials and held several primary positions as volunteer coordinator and score room lead.
In K9 Nose Work, Kathe's Norwegian Elkhound "Little Lady Karita" was the first Elkhound to earn all three levels of Nose Work competition as well as one of 15 teams to earn the first Elite titles in the Northeast, They qualified and attended the NACSW National Invitational two years in a row (2014-2915) and due to Karita's health issues, retired shortly thereafter. She is grateful for all that Karita taught her on the wonderful journey of Nose Work. She looks forward to new and exciting adventures with her puppies, Elkhound Karletta and King Charles, Casey.
Kathe takes continuing education very seriously, attending seminars, workshops, trials and observing K9 teams: detecting search patterns, environmental factors and the subtle body language of communication. This is invaluable knowledge and skills she passes on to handlers and their dogs. She has completed her Professional Dog Trainer Certification (CPDT-KA) and is a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP).
Kathe's passion for instructing is based on the sheer delight of bringing true joy and happiness to a person and their canine companion. She considers it an honor to be part of developing self-confidence and a genuine trusting relationship.
George Berger
George Berger has had a lifelong passion for and involvement with dogs through Obedience, Nose Work, and Therapy Dog training. He teaches all three disciplines in group as well as private settings. He is a member in good standing of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). George began his canine-therapy work in 2006, with his Labrador/Golden Retriever, Dixie, “an amazingly sensitive sweetheart,” then Paco, a Chihuahua mix, “an irresistible little presence,” then the Standard Poodle, Seamus,“the very definition of a perfect therapy dog.”With his great teammates, George has made more than 1,500 therapy dog visits to hospitals, schools, libraries, and other facilities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
In 2016, George and a partner founded Therapy Dogs of Rockland and became an affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals, a nationally- and internationally-acclaimed organization that serves thousands of people in need every year. Currently,“TDRock”has over 65 teams calling on 45 facilities in the tri-state area.
In a 2022 interview George said, “Obedience is at the heart of all dog training. It is a cliché, but true - the challenge is teaching the handler. She/he must learn to be consistent and patient. When they achieve those skills, the dog will come along easily. And, as a teacher, that is a joy to see.
Nose Work re-awakens the most profound dog instinct: scenting. Training that sport/game is just great fun. The dogs come alive in ways that no other activity produces.
Therapy Dog work? Training it, doing it – I think of it as a privilege and an honor.”
George teaches Therapy. Beginner and Advanced Beginner
Bonnie Clauss
I currently teach AKC Star Puppy class.
I am certified to offer and teach AKC Star puppy classes and beginner classes.
I am an evaluator for the AKC Star puppy, CGC, CGCA, Trick Dog, and Temperament Test.
I’ve owned and bred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Brittanys. Presently I have 4 English Springer Spaniels and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
My dogs have earned Champion, Grand Champion titles in Conformation, many BN and CD titles in Obedience, Rally titles, Star Puppy, CGC, CGCA and Junior Hunting titles. I am working on Obedience with my Springers.
Currently I am active in Nosework and just earned my Elite Championship with Pipit.
Mercedes Huber
A member of First Dog since 2003, I served on the Board as a board member and Vice President for 16 years, volunteer at Trials and other events, and have been teaching for many years.
I had the privilege of being mentored by Ruth and Louise Meyers and have benefited and continue to benefit from their experience and expertise.
A preference for black Labrador Retrievers, I have been involved in dog sports since the early 90’s. I have taken classes in Obedience, Rally, and Nose Work. I have shown and titled in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Nose Work, CGC, Therapy, Tricks, Fit Dog and Temperament Tests with my various Labs.
Over the years, I have taught Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice Obedience classes and Rally classes. Currently, I teach a Novice/Pre- Open class.
Samantha Keeler
As with many dog people I was “born into
dogs”. When I was very young my mother was a veterinary technician.
She mainly owned Herding breeds, German Shepherds and Bearded
Collies. She competed in both conformation and obedience.
When I was 6 (1986) a female Golden Retriever was brought into the veterinary clinic my mother worked in. She was in poor shape as she was hit by a car and also had recently had a litter of puppies. We rehabilitated her and since no one claimed her my mother decided she would be my first dog. I started training her in obedience. Two years later at the age of 8 (1988) I put a CD title on her with an ILP#. At the time I was the youngest in the US. I was lucky because my mother and I had very close friends that owned an obedience school in South Florida. I learned a lot very young and helped train many dogs.
In 1990 we purchased a purebred golden from a heavy obedience breeder in MI, with the option of breeding her. Huggy turned out to be my foundation bitch. I also put a CD title on her. In 1994 I bred my 1st litter and kept a male who became my Junior Showmanship dog.
In the summer of 1995 I moved from FL to NJ. During my juniors career I was invited to Westminster twice. I spent the summer of 1996 in FL with professional handlers. Although it was only for a summer, I learned so much in 3 months and it was the best experience of my life. In 1995 we also got into Siberian Huskies. We did lots of winning with the 4 dogs we had. We bred 1 litter and from that litter came the only bitch to win BOB at back-to-back national specialties. In 1997 we bought a male that I campaigned to #7 Siberian Husky in the US. In between then and now I have bred a few litters and owned a few dogs.
I have always kept myself in training and showing because it is just a part of me. Around 2012 I started Canine NoseWork training. I have trained dogs in Conformation, Obedience, Rally and NoseWork. Along with being a member of First Dog Training Club, I am also a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) and past president and show chair of the Garden State Golden Retriever Club (GSGRC). I am married with 2 children. I own 2 dogs: a male Golden Retriever named Murphy (Cece's Back By Pop-Ular Demand At Galaxy RN TKN ATT DN DJ DS) and a male English Cocker Spaniel named Jett (GCh Gwynllyn On Point Black Bart NW2). I am the Conformation/Show Handling instructor at First Dog.
Joanne Kent
A dog lover forever, and a dog owner most of my life, I was
constantly admonished by my mother for petting every stray dog I saw
on the street.
While I trained my own dogs to be good house pets, I became Interested in training other dogs when I started a dog walking business over 15 years ago as a second career. It was then that I found myself having to teach all types of dogs how to walk on a leash; this to make the hours of daily walking enjoyable and safe, instead of a nightmare and dangerous.
So in 2008 when I got Voltaire, my third German Shepherd Dog at eight weeks old, I immediately started taking him to various group training classes including to several AKC clubs. It was during this time that I became intrigued with how much more he and I learned, and what a powerful bond we formed in the process. Soon I learned about dog obedience training competitions, and that started a passion. Beginning In 2013 under the tutelage of some of the most experienced, decorated and patient trainers around, my passion for training became a love affair. Subsequently I earned a CD title and several Rally titles on Voltaire, my first obedience competition dog. And then I got a puppy, Matisse, who I am now training, and I am loving every minute of it.
After years of training my own dogs and others, training has now also become a passion worth pursuing itself.
I am teaching Beginner and Beginner Two classes at First Dog.
Kathy Singer
Kathy
currently has 1 papillon, 1 black lab, and a mini dachshund. She has
trained dogs in Obedience from Novice through the Utility
levels and Rally, qualifying for and competing at the AKC
National Championships.
She has taught obedience classes for over 10 years at First Dog, currently teaching Beginner Obedience and Beyond Beginner classes.
Kathy also is a CGC and Star Puppy evaluator.
Lenore Vizzone
Currently
teaching 4 classes Monday evening. Nov 3D,
Ready for Competition, Open, Utility
CERTIFICATION: Owner/manager Lenore’s
Canine Clippery 1974 – 2014.
Grooming services and obedience training. Past
President, 2 terms. K9 Obedience Training of Essex
County, NJ. Had served as Vice President prior. Training
director for several years. Training instructor at Club Pet
Kennels in Roselle Park, NJ from 1985 – 1986.
MY DOGS: I was 8 yrs old when
I got my first dog, King, a large mixed breed who helped me
negotiate that often painful and lonely transition from childhood to
adulthood. Through him I gained my forever love and trust
of dogs, as well as knowledge of training dogs. Then came
Gulliver, another mix, followed by Ruffian, a
Borzoi. After that, all blue merle
collies. Gus, Fella, Trey, Cyrano, Jekyll, Jaunty and
Faolan. I am currently showing the youngsters, Jaunty and Faolan, in
Obedience and Rally.
TITLES OBTAINED: Utility level in three different venues, AKC, UKC, and CDSP with several of my collies. I’ve obtained Breed Championship titles. Rally titles. Herding title. Coursing ability title.
BIGGEST HONOR: My collie, Fella, had the honor of being invited to the Eukanuba NationaLObedience Championships twice. He was the #1 Collie in 2005 and the #3 Collie in 2006 by OTCH pts. earned.
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY: I really don’t have a specific method of training. An instructor needs to have many methods up their sleeve as not every methodology works for every dog. But my philosophy is to have fun with your dog, outside of training/showing as well as while you’re training/showing. After losing my Jekyll, at the age of 5 to lymphoma, my focus has changed. Although the titles, ribbons and honors are wonderful, my best memories are of our many adventures together. I try to see life through my dog’s eyes and think of what they really would like to do. I’m grateful to have memories of our last cross country RV trip while Jekyll was in remission.
FAVORITE FAMOUS DOG: Who else but Lassie?
DOG TRAINING TIPS: ATTENTION, CONNECTION, ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, TRUST, PLAY. Don’t take training so seriously that it isn’t fun for both.
I TRIED TO TEACH MY DOG WITH BOOKS. HE GAVE ME ONLY PUZZLED LOOKS. I TRIED TO TEACH MY DOG WITH WORDS. THEY PASSED HIM BY, OFT UNHEARD. DESPAIRINGLY I TURNED ASIDE. “HOW CAN I TEACH THIS DOG, I CRIED”. INTO MY HAND HE PUT THE KEY,” COME, HE SAID, COME PLAY WITH ME”.
Natalie Galdi-Weissman
I am an Owner-handler. I have been
training and competing with my own dogs for over 30 years. I have
been a member of FDTC since 1995 and it's Secretary since
2000. I have Irish Water Spaniels as well as Löwchens. I have
been the Rally Instructor for the last few years. I have also
taught all the other classes in my years at FDTC including a
Versatility class that combined Obedience and Rally. I show my dogs
in Conformation, Obedience, Rally, CABT, FAST CAT, Nose Work and
Dock Diving. I am an Evaluator for Theray Dog International as
well as an AKC Evaluator for CGC/CGCA/Trick Dog and Temperament
Testing. I enjoy learning new skills and bonding with my
dogs. I taught for 40 years in the city of New York and 13
years as an Adjunct Professor at Mercy College since I have a PhD.
in History since 1978.
