Amanda's Story
Amanda Caldron has had a sincere love for and interest in animals since a young child, which ultimately became her passion and has fueled her quest for knowledge in their physical and psychological wellbeing. Her path began around 5-6 years old with Bandit, a husky they got as a family pet. With the best intentions, her family chose a beautiful puppy, which would turn out to be much more of a responsibility than they had imagined. As is common with many pet owners due to lack of knowledge, her family lacked in his overall care by neglecting his exercise and mental needs. Bandit, was eventually euthanized because he was deemed unadoptable when he could no longer be kept in the family. This experience propelled Amanda to make a difference in the lives of the animals for which we claim responsibility and to help educate people, so they don’t repeat the pattern common to so many pet owners. It all started with Bandit, the beautiful Husky. By 7-8 years old Amanda was going door to door asking the neighbors if their dog needed a walk or a bath. The joy of the interaction fueled her craving for the experience, and with that… Her life has gone to the dogs!!
In her early years of animal care, Amanda bathed and groomed dogs, held training classes, served as a kennel manager, veterinary technician at a feline clinic and canine sports medical center. This gave Amanda tremendous insight to shape proper behavior patterns for animals and their caretakers to work and play safely, avoid injury and how to manage injuries should they occur. Amanda quickly learned that proper training for both the animal and their caretaker goes a long way to avoiding injuries and improves the overall lives of both.
Through self-discovery in the industry and hobbies of rescue and competitive dog sports, her obsession, talents and interest grew. From the household pet to the world level competitor, Amanda can offer structured programs of training and education to benefit both the animal and caretaker.
- Dog Psychology and Behavior
- Behavior Modification
- Aggression Management
- Drive Building
- Drive channeling
- Grip Development and Engagement
- Scent Discrimination vs. Tracking/Trailing vs. Air Scent
- Neurological Stimulation/Conditioning
- Competitive Obedience and Control
- Retrieve Work
- Environmental, Mental, and Man Pressure
- PSA or Protection Sports Association
- Schutzhund
- Mondio Ring
- Dock dogs, weight pull, herding, agility, carting, other miscellaneous
- Evaluated, vended, and sold dogs for law enforcement, military, sport and personal service dogs.
Achievements with Achilles
- 2012 High Overall Score PSA2
- 2012 4th Place PSA2 at National Championships
- 2012 PSA2 Midwest Regional Champion, 1ST Place PSA2
- 2012 IPOA High Protection, High Obedience, High IPO1
- 2012 (June 30-July1ST) 1ST Place PSA2, High Obedience, High Protection, High In Trial, High Owner Trained, High Owner Trained Club
- 2010 PSA Nationals passed his PSA1 score for second time
- 2010 1st Place PSA1 Midwest Regional Champion High Obedience, High Protection, High In Trial, High Owner Trained, High Owner Trained Club
- September 2010 Earned his IPO BH and PSA1 Titles
- May 2010 Earned his PSA PDC
- April 2010 Earned his Mondio Ring 1 and 1ST Place Mondio Ring 1 (2nd day), 2ND Place Mondio Ring 1 (1st day)
- October 2009 Earned his NWDA PD1
- 2010 Central Zone Regional Champion 3RD Place French Ring 1
- 1ST Place French Ring 1 2009 NAWBA event
- September 2009 Earned HCT Herding Instinct Title
- September 2009 Earned his 2nd leg of French Ring 1 with Excellence
- August 2009 Earned his CSAU, Brevet, and 1st leg of French Ring 1
- May 2009 Earned his IRONDOG IDWP1 weight pull title
- 1ST Place IDT3/IDT5 (Ranked) Battle of the Bulls May 2009
- 1ST Place Speed Retrieve Team Chicagoland Dock Dogs May 2009
- October 2008 Earned his CGC/TDI
- Multiple placings and awards achieved for protection tournaments and fun run events
Achievements with Minion
- CGC/CGCU with AKC
- Trick dog Titles with AKC (novice, intermediate, advanced, Performers)
- BH with USCA
- PDC with PSA
- A&E "America's Top Dog" S1:E3 Winner
- Film star extraordinaire
- Avid Hunter
- Pointed towards weight pull titles in APA