News & Announcements

Results of the Container Challenge
Sunday, December 8, 2024

50 Container Challenge

1st Place
Ina and Dory
Time: 00:45.63

2nd Place
Jill and Stormy
Time: 1:13.47

3rd Place
Leigh and Rhubarb
Time: 01:17.81

100 Container Challenge

Distractors used in the 100 Container Challenge were:
Tennis ball, banana, cranberry sauce, pound cake, cashews and applewood smoked ham.

1st Place
Amy and Leroy
Time: 03:31.75

2nd Place
Kathy and Clara
Time: 04:00.53

3rd Place
Ina and Ben
Time: 04:32.75

Welcome New Instructor – Josie McAculiffe

 We’re pleased to welcome Josie McAuliffe to MasterPeace as a rally instructor. She recently moved to the area from Maryland. 

Since the age of 6 years old, Josie McAuliffe has had the pleasure of living with and loving dogs, 12 dogs, so far. Eight of these dogs she adopted and 6 of these were mixes of shepherds or retrievers, most were black. Currently, 2 black labs and 2 are German Shepherd Dogs make up her pack. Josie first saw a rally course in 2006, but initially thought it was too difficult. Then she had an idea and enrolled in an AKC rally class and soon she was hooked! Next, Josie started a rally training group to help train others and give experience to her ring-shy GSD. Before she knew it, she was teaching rally classes and judging rally for 4H kids. When her lab earned a CDX in 2015, Josie applied to become an AKC rally judge. One of her favorite parts of teaching and of being a judge is designing rally courses that are challenging, yet allows the teams to move fluidly together. Josie enjoys teaching dogs and their loving owners to successfully execute rally signs and work together as a team. Josie has competed several times at the Rally National Championship and had the honor of judging there in 2021. She has earned two RACHs, several obedience titles, including a utility obedience title, both on her list of lifetime goals. Currently, Josie is an AKC rally judge and an AKC novice obedience judge, and continues to compete in rally, obedience, dock diving and tracking with her dogs. When not judging, competing in dog sports, or working full-time as a researcher in a pharmaceutical company, Josie enjoys camping and hiking with her husband and 4 dogs. 

Josie will teach two SPECIAL EDITION Rally classes
6-week sessions, starting December 12th.
Register online or call 508-553-9300 

Intro to AKC Rally- 7:15 pm (open to PK/BPO grads) 

Rally is a good introduction to dog sports combining a series of stations where teams perform obedience exercise and jumps (at higher levels). This class will provide an opportunity to learn to read and perform AKC novice signs, as well as general competition rules, tips and skills. This class is designed for dog and owner teams NEW to competition, but with basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay, come and general ability to heel). All classes will be performed on leash. 

Advanced AKC Rally – 8:15 pm (open to students with Rally experience) 

Rally is a good introduction to dog sports combining a series of stations where teams perform obedience exercise and jumps. This class will provide an opportunity to learn to read and perform AKC Intermediate and advanced signs, 3 types of jumps, as well as additional tips and skills. This class is designed for dog and owner teams already competing, already with good working knowledge of novice rally signs and solid basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay, come and heel). Classes will progress from on-leash to off-leash, as teams learn signs and off-leash skills. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

“Lead with love!” We believe the core elements to successful service dog training are love, trust, and seamless communication between the handler and their dog.

In honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passing on July 26, 1990, we are launching the full rollout of our Owner Trainer Service Dog Program at MasterPeace Dog Training. Our program is designed to empower and provide the necessary tools and guidance for successful service dog training.

 Visit masterpeaceservicedog.com for more details and stay updated as we continue to add new resources and information.

 What’s Included:

  • Frequently Asked Questions: to address all your queries
  • Sample Syllabus: to give you a sneak peek into the training journey
  • “Schedule Now” Button: for an initial phone or video call consult to join the program

Join us in celebrating this significant milestone and embark on the path to training your own service dog. Together, we can achieve independence and enhance the quality of life!

Corey Jose Silva will be the instructor for this wonderful program. Learn why this means so much to Corey:

” I am thrilled to make a special announcement that is particularly close to my heart. This year, MasterPeace Dog Training is launching a Service Dog Program specifically designed for owner-trainers.

May 30 is “World MS” day, an international awareness day for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. One morning, I woke up with tingling in my hands, which eventually led to a temporary loss of control. This challenging experience ignited my dream of training a retriever to assist me as my “backup hands.” During my journey, I discovered the scarcity of resources available for owners who wish to train their own service dogs, despite it being entirely legal and reasonable under the ADA.

I am excited to introduce the MasterPeace Service Dog Program, the resource I once sought. MasterPeace Dog Training is uniquely positioned to support individuals from puppy kindergarten to specialized task training. Starting this July I will be offering a “Service Dog Task Foundations” class.”

Corey

Our program will also feature:

  • Quarterly Service Dog 101 Workshops
  • Public Access Training
  • The “MasterPeace Public Access Test”
  • And much more

Successful Nose Work Seminar

Dana Zinn and Sue Sternberg recently presented an info-filled and thought-provoking Nose Work seminar on the Dog Driven Search Part 2 to a sold-out crowd at MasterPeace, courtesy of Dana Crevling (DogsofCourse.com) – and our 3 NW instructors were in attendance!  Here are some photos from the weekend!

Left to right: Pam DeTore, CNWI, Dana Zinn, Sue Sternberg, Patty Sontag, CNWI, and Debbie Kiernan, CNWI

A sold-out crowd, with full attention on the presenters (lots of merchandise was available, too!)

Watching the demo teams

Kathleen and Demi, one of the demo teams, working on leash

Karen and Roady, another demo team, working off leash

Gifts to be grateful for by Esther Zimmerman

 

Thank you, Franklin Police Department!

We are humbled that the Franklin Police Department has gifted us with a plaque, along with a lovely letter from Thomas J. Lynch, Chief of Police, in recognition of the two years donated by Fran Masters to train Ben in basic and advanced obedience behaviors so that he could achieve his Therapy Dog certification. She has worked weekly with Officer Jamie Mucciarone and the lovely Golden Retriever, Ben Franklin, to help prepare this gentle dog to be Franklin’s Community Outreach dog. These two years have flown by, but our door will always be open to Jamie and Ben for more training or just a visit! Franklin is very lucky to have this team as part of the community to respond to any crisis or participate in community visits. Franklin Police Department’s forward thinking in this regard has caused other police departments in the state to follow suit with their own Community Outreach dogs—but none will be as handsome as our Ben!