TimesLeader.com

September 3
No job too big or too small

Dog trainer Barb Mattes has yet to meet a dog too difficult for her to train.

Aleksandra Djordjevic Abington Journal Correspondent

For dog trainer Barb Mattes, each dog is a champion. “I grew up in a household with dogs, and my Dad and I were the ones who did all the training. My Dad was wonderful with training our dogs, and taught me that using kindness instead of force and cruelty would result in a dog who loved and respected you as its leader.” She added, “I love challenges and have worked with problems ranging from dogs with excessive biting and chewing to dogs who refuse to do agility obstacles, to dogs who have injured their handlers while pulling on their leashes. Each case is unique, and I spend a lot of time deciding what will be the best course of action for the individual team.” Though Mattes’ father an inspiration, she also credits her first English setter, Holdyn, as leading her down the path to becoming a trainer. Mattes said, “I completed my dog Holdyn’s championship title in the American Kennel Club (AKC ) in a very short time, and I am proud to say that it was all done as owner/handler. We then began our career in agility competition, taking classes on a regular basis, and attending seminars with some of the top agility instructors in the sport. After we earned our first title in Agility, I began to teach the techniques to my first class of students.”

A student team of Barb Mattes is Robin Ross and her border collie Dolce, who live in Clarks Summit.

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Though training dogs is Mattes’ specialty, her background is in education and she believes that her years of study in the two fields complement one another. Mattes said, “I always wanted to be a teacher and my education degree has trained me perfectly for working with dogs and their handlers. I am a true believer in continuing education, and I truly enjoy passing on what I have learned to as many people as I can so that they can enjoy the same thrills that I have been enjoying.”

And just as each dog trainer has his or her ups and downs in the course of a day, Mattes has taken those challenges in stride and believes she and the dogs can ultimately benefit from them.

“When I have challenges, I always break down my instructions in the simplest of terms for the handler. I know that the easiest way to learn is to keep the training simplistic, so that even children can understand what I am trying to help them do. I have had challenges of training people of various ages. There have been older adults with some physical handicaps, as well as children who have not had the years of experience training a dog. I just love both of those age categories, and it is with them that I feel rewarded.”

Mattes said, “What I want people to leave with once I’m finished training their dogs is to know that their dog training is never finished. If they have chosen me as part of their training team, then they will know that there is a world of fun out there for them and their best friend.” She added, “You can never imagine how proud I feel when I see them in public with their dogs that are now well behaved, or see them competing in dog activities that they never dreamed they would be able to accomplish.”

For those who wish to learn more about Mattes and her lessons as a dog trainer, her at 586-7273 or visit her web site at www.coaldogs.com. Mattes is available for training in various Clarks Summit locations and at clients homes.