Bio

Petra

Petra (she/her) graduated from Rutgers School of Health-Related Professions 25 years ago with a degree in physical therapy and has experience working with an extremely varied caseload including pediatric through geriatric clients with a vast range of diagnoses. Her areas of expertise included in-patient rehabilitation, orthopedics and neurology. Petra attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2007 and is a certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. Petra raced bicycles at the professional level and participated in international events. She is now an avid runner, practices yoga and meditates daily. Petra trains and trials her Labrador Retrievers in obedience, agility and field. Her black Labrador Retriever, Tyler, has the distinction of being the 2008 and 2009 National Obedience Champion and First Runner Up in 2010. In 2012, Petra and Tyler became the first American team to win the Obedience World Cup (they placed second in 2010). Petra’s dogs have earned field titles (MH, QAA). She competed in Masters with Zaidan, who is now retired.  She is currently competing in obedience with Zeal.  Zeal is the winner of multiple Regional Qualifiers, won the 2018 Obedience Classic and has earned 10 Perfect 200 scores.  Following in his father’s pawsteps, Zeal is the 2020 National Obedience Champion.  Zayna won the Novice Division at the 2019 Obedience Classic, placed second (to Zeal) at her first Regional and recently finished her OTCH.  Zesty is the newest family member.  He is quite the clown!  He loves dressing up and learning new tricks.  He is becoming quite social media star.  He is also training for competition obedience.  Petra has written several articles on canine conditioning, canine injury prevention, competing with your dog and more. She has been published in a number of magazines including Clean Run, Front and Finish, and Whole Dog Journal.

Pronouns: Petra goes by she/her.

Current and Upcoming Courses

 

OB355: Open Foundation Fun!

Open Obedience Foundation Fun!  It’s time to move away from thinking of obedience as serious. An open run is really just a long chain of pet tricks! Breaking the exercis...

April 1, 2024

OB480: Train to Trial

How do I get the same performance in training and in the ring?  That is one of the most common challenges in competitive sports.  It is something everyone struggles ...

April 1, 2024

FF225: Energized Engagement

Engagement is the most challenging skill to achieve in dog training. It’s also easily the most important. An engaged dog is actively involved in the learning process and pushi...

June 1, 2024

OB305: Fronts & Finishes: From Foundations to Fabulous!

 There are lots of fronts and finishes in obedience! Fronts and finishes are incredibly complicated. They consist of many pieces that all need to come together. Because t...

June 1, 2024

OB445: Proof Positive for Open and Utility

Proofing is and should be fun! Proofing is an important aspect of training that strengthens dogs’ understanding of the exercise and prepares them for the demands of the ring. ...

June 1, 2024

FE405: Thriving Under Pressure

There is no escaping it.  Our dogs will be under pressure in the ring.  So let’s prepare them for it!  Many people are not aware that the majority of errors in ...

August 1, 2024

OB365: Open Obedience Fun - Putting the Pieces Together

Open IS fun!! In this class, I deconstruct all the exercises into manageable pieces. Each piece is taught and maintained like a trick. This makes the exercises accessible...

August 1, 2024

OB485: Step it Up: Advanced Heeling for Competition

In this class we will be challenging the dog AND handler to step up their game! We will use fun games to build and maintain drive, engagement and precision. When heeling is we...

August 1, 2024

OB215: Competition Heeling Part One - Fundamentals

Great heeling is a pleasure to watch. Dog and handler moving together as one.  The dog is happy, animated, joyful and confident. Heeling is a dance that should express jo...

October 1, 2024

OB415: Utility Foundation Fun!

Utility has always been my favorite class!!  Lots of people call the class “futility” but I think it’s tons of fun.  I start teaching the foundation skills when my d...

October 1, 2024

OB195: Creating Confidence in Your Obedience Dog

Most dogs are not innately confident. Especially when it comes to obedience. A sport that is not inherently self-reinforcing. A sport where dogs must learn to perform complex ...

December 1, 2024

OB225: Competition Heeling Part Two - Skills & Engagement

 Heeling requires significant concentration and sustained focus to maintain position, focal point and engagement. Heeling is easily the most difficult obedience exercise....

December 1, 2024

Contact information

Have a question about an upcoming course taught by Petra?  Not sure if your dog is suitable for a specific class?  We welcome you to contact instructors by email to make sure the course is suitable for you and your dog.

Click here to contact