Modar Dog Training & Behavior Consulting

I grew up around a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, a turtle, a pigeon, a chinchilla, a donkey, chickens, goats, horses.  Dachshund Olga was one of my first training subjects as a child.  I got my very own dog when I was 11.  Abacus was half Afghan Hound and I trained her based on demonstrations I'd seen.  When I was 12, my family moved to the country. Neighbors taught me to ride both english and western and how to care for Pepe, the little bay mare they brought over from Hawaii. Before long, I got my own horse. Money was an issue, so I looked at some interesting horses in the $150 range! A couple that stand out were a draft horse mix named Java and a little Hackney pony. Ultimately, I ended up with 2 1/2 year old stud colt that I named Jackpot. Jackpot was steel gray when I got him, but ended up dapple gray. He was half Quarter horse & half Anglo-Arab. At 13 I managed to saddle train Jackpot using a book. The first time I mounted Jackpot in his corral at 3 years of age, all he did was walk backwards. I considered it a win because he didn't buck or get upset. I had spectators and a neighbor said he'd throw a tire at Jackpot's rear to solve that. It was never an issue, the second time I mounted Jackpot, he walked forward like a normal horse.  At 18 I saddle broke and trained another Arab/QH gelding to ride.  I have always lived with multiple dogs from a variety of breed groups, including a Cocker Spaniel, Greyhound, Irish Setters, Mixed breeds, Golden Retriever, Alaskan Malamutes, and a Smooth Fox Terrier.  I worked for veterinary hospitals in Sonoma County and San Mateo County between 1978 & 1984.  In 1990 I began taking formal obedience training classes with my rescue Golden, Mokie.  I also began attending educational training and behavior seminars.  This led to practice matches and eventually trials (dog shows for  performance sports).  Since the 1990s I have put numerous performance (obedience, agility, rally, nosework, trick, barnhunt, lure coursing, etc.) working (carting/mushing, backpacking and weight pull), temperament and conformation titles on my rescue Golden, a stray mixed breed, a friend's Golden, my SFT and 4 Malamutes.  In 2003 I took and passed the CCPDT test.  I have continued to attend educational seminars to further my knowledge and earn CEUs towards my recertification.  My life revolves around helping dogs and their people live in harmony.