The instructors at Shadyrock have been actively involved in dog sports since the 1980's. Linda has achieved over 20 Conformation Champions and 22 advanced Obedience titles. Her dogs have achieved the highest awards with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America with two Register of Merit females. She has 2 X Select Bronze Champion Dolly TC Under Specialty Judging at the German Shepherd Dog Club of
America's National Specialty. She has finished dogs to their Championships in the USA and in Canada. She has finished a dog as an International Champion in the International Canine Club. Linda is approved as a CGC Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and as well as doing many testings during the year for STAR PUPPY, CGC (Canine Good Citizens), CGCA and URBAN TITLES. She is also Obedience and Rally Chair for the Laurel Highland Kennel Association for the yearly shows now held in August in Cumberland MD. And is on the Board of Directors of LHKA. She served many years as a Show Chairman for the AAKA all-breed kennel club. She is a life member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and also the German Shepherd Dog Club of Western Pa of which she is presently the VP. She is a professional groomer as well teaches show handling classes,
Darlene has multiple champions and titles in Obedience, Rally Advanced Excellent, Trick Dog Performer, Advanced Canine Good Citizen (aka Community Canine), Canine Good Citizen Urban, Fast Cat DCAT, Preferred Companion Dog, Agility titles, Temperament titles, Therapy Dog titles and scent work. She holds agility classes and agility practice run-throughs. She often provides visits to nursing homes with her therapy dogs. Darlene also holds Rally classes on Saturday mornings. Dr. Stuart has a lifelong participation in conformation with 48 owner handled Champion Conformation titles including Best in Speciality Shows and Best in Shows in Airedales, Border Collies, Welsh Terriers, Sealyham Terriers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Petit Basset Griffon, Vendeen, Otterhounds, Dachshunds, and Rough Collies. Plus 36 performance titles including advanced obedience titles, OTCH, Hunt Test titles, Field titles, and tracking titles. Dr. Stuart has also served as an Officer and Board member of several rescue organizations and the Central PA Humane Society. She also helped found several purebred dog rescues. She served as an Officer and as a Board member of the GWPCA. As an Officer and Board member of the AAKA all breed club. AKC Gazette Breed Columnist for the PBGVCA. Winner of the AKC Dog Writer's Award. She is also chair of a dog bite commission to reduce the number of dog bite incidents and dog related attacks and fatalities in adults and children. She provides private nutritional counseling and lessons. In the modern world of dog training, positive reinforcement-only dog trainers are causing a lot of confusion for dog owners. For those who might not know, an all-positive reinforcement dog trainer uses only positive punishment methods, like clickers, to mark good behaviors and then over-rewards the dog with treats. This type of training uses very little to no correction when bad behavior arises. In fact, they do not believe in correcting bad behavior at all. Instead, they believe in ignoring bad behavior and withholding a reward, using time-outs, intimidation tactics, ignoring the dog, withholding affection. This fools dog owners into thinking that this method is humane. All-positive reinforcement trainers are using people’s emotions to manipulate them into thinking that discipline and dominance theories are all outdated. They convince dog owners that there are more modern, scientifically proven ways that we can train dogs, but they can’t seem to explain a dog’s aggression, nor can they rehabilitate a dog that exhibits aggressive behavior. Pure Positive trainers are the reason for the increasing amount of dog bites every year. Dogs who have only been “positively” trained can be unpredictable since there have been no consequences for unwanted behaviors. Pure Positive trainers will tell you that dominance theories are outdated. For that I have a question: Since when has nature become outdated? Dogs are primitive animals and aggression in domesticated dogs can prove that. This behavioral trait in dogs is the reason why humans discovered the benefits of domesticating dogs for hunting and using them as livestock guardians and resulting in the starting of domesticating dogs as pets. Always keep in mind that as long as you stay balanced in training your dog – meaning you balance love and discipline – you will raise a balanced dog who is very confident and understands how to behave in every situation. Discipline must be done in a way to increase your dog’s intelligence and to guide your dog toward the desired behavior. We all bring to the classroom and lessons a vast expertise to address any and all breeds and their owners needs. We use the most appropriate training methodology that is successful in helping every owner achieve their training goals. Whatever is best for the dog to achieve the owner's goals.
