Deanne has been a lifelong animal lover, and first began training her own dog and neighborhood dogs as a child.  Using Kraft singles and grocery store dog biscuits, she managed sits, downs and stays with up to six dogs at a time, no fences, no leashes and no fighting.  As an adult, she began training and competing with her first Jack Russell Terrier, Guinness, over 10 years ago, first at Jack Russell Terrier trials, and later in USDAA, NADAC and AKC agility.

Deanne began teaching and assisting with puppy and agility classes in 2002. Classes offered have included Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience, CGC Obedience, Reactive Dogs, Fearful Dogs, Intro to Clicker, Clicker and Tricks, all levels of agility, and private lessons in obedience, agility and behavior modification.  Deanne also has experience in the doggie retail world which has provided her with extensive knowledge of foods, toys and a wide array of dog-related products.

With her dog Jordan, Deanne has performed dozens of children's programs on bite prevention and safety, and on the benefits of positive dog training and the fun of trick training!  To find out more about Jordan, visit her online at www.jordanthejrt.com!

Deanne shares her home in Fredericksburg with her husband Tom and their three dogs:

Jordan, CGC, CD, NA, NAP, NAJ, NJP, EJC, EAC, OGC, WV-N, TN-N

(8yo Jack Russell Terrier)

SoBe, CGC, OA, OAJ

(5yo Australian Shepherd)

Roux  – just getting started!

(2yo Australian Shepherd)

Also pictured here is Guinness, CGC, AAD, JM, OA, OAJ, NAP, NJP, EAC, EJC, OGC, TN-N

(1996-2009)

Deanne Davenport and Christine Johnson met while taking classes with Audrey Ferrel at Best Behavior Dog Training and later began teaching classes together.  Deanne and Christine shared the same ideas about training and the same passion for dogs of all kinds - and of course, agility!  Both also have a particular  understanding and empathy for dogs labeled 'too hyper', 'difficult', 'impossible to train' or even 'aggressive' - dogs that have most often been MIS-labeled.  They have learned, by working through some challenging behavior problems in their own dogs as well as those of their students, how to modify and channel "problem" behaviors in ways that can make both dog and handler more relaxed and happy overall, without resorting to physical force, corrections, or intimidation.

Both Deanne and Christine believe strongly in the powers of positive reinforcement.  Through their experiences with their own dogs as well as those of their students, they have learned the importance of patience, persistence and consistency!  They know that ALL dogs have the potential to do great things - it's up to us, their human counterparts, to figure out what it takes to bring it out!