My name is Patti Engleman and I am the owner and lead instructor at Bell Creek Agility & Obedience. I founded Bell Creek on March 3, 2016, because I wanted to teach the way I train: by having fun at both ends of the leash.
At Bell Creek we believe training should be a positive journey for both the dog and the handler. We recognize that every team is unique and offers different challenges, which is why we offer small class sizes to ensure that all teams receive the help they need to be successful. We emphasize a balanced training program that involves positive shaping of the behavior we want and verbal markers to direct dogs. We believe in breaking down what is being asked of the our dogs, so they can get it right as well as helping to build their confidence and trust in us.
All of Bell Creek's instructors have competed successfully in the dog sport that they teach, so they understand how to give solid foundation training and what is needed for both dog and handler. Our foundation obedience instructors have years of experience working with dogs and people and know how to effectively communicate with both. Our instructors also further their own learning through seminars, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities so they can stay up-to-date on current techniques and skills to better serve you.
We have put a lot of effort into creating a safe environment for both dogs and handlers. Our agility equipment is fully adjustable, built to not reverberate to help instill confidence in dogs of all levels, easy to move, and meets AKC requirements. We have the training hoops, stride regulators, guide-wires, channel weaves, and more to help assist your dogs while they learn. Our obedience equipment has all required AKC Utility and Open obedience competition jumps, Rally signs and equipment, as well as lots of different proofing toys, etc. We have also added Fit-Paws equipment to our list for those that want to work on conditioning their pups. Our 1/2 inch thick anti-fatigue agility matting helps prevent pounding on our pups joints, providing a safe and consistent footing for both handler and dogs, that has good traction. This is also great flooring for students (both dogs and handlers) that have allergies.
At Bell Creek we believe training should be a positive journey for both the dog and the handler. We recognize that every team is unique and offers different challenges, which is why we offer small class sizes to ensure that all teams receive the help they need to be successful. We emphasize a balanced training program that involves positive shaping of the behavior we want and verbal markers to direct dogs. We believe in breaking down what is being asked of the our dogs, so they can get it right as well as helping to build their confidence and trust in us.
All of Bell Creek's instructors have competed successfully in the dog sport that they teach, so they understand how to give solid foundation training and what is needed for both dog and handler. Our foundation obedience instructors have years of experience working with dogs and people and know how to effectively communicate with both. Our instructors also further their own learning through seminars, workshops, and other continuing education opportunities so they can stay up-to-date on current techniques and skills to better serve you.
We have put a lot of effort into creating a safe environment for both dogs and handlers. Our agility equipment is fully adjustable, built to not reverberate to help instill confidence in dogs of all levels, easy to move, and meets AKC requirements. We have the training hoops, stride regulators, guide-wires, channel weaves, and more to help assist your dogs while they learn. Our obedience equipment has all required AKC Utility and Open obedience competition jumps, Rally signs and equipment, as well as lots of different proofing toys, etc. We have also added Fit-Paws equipment to our list for those that want to work on conditioning their pups. Our 1/2 inch thick anti-fatigue agility matting helps prevent pounding on our pups joints, providing a safe and consistent footing for both handler and dogs, that has good traction. This is also great flooring for students (both dogs and handlers) that have allergies.
About our classes
At Bell Creek, we work hard to teach both dogs and handlers how to work as a team. Our agility classes are small to ensure lots of individual working time. Agility is a fun sport that works a dog both mentally and physically. It is a great confidence builder for nervous dogs and a wonderful outlet for high-energy dogs. Whether you choose to compete or are just looking for something fun to do with your dog, our agility classes will help you achieve your goals. All of our agility classes are taught by instructors who successfully compete in agility, with the upper-level classes only being taught by instructors who have earned at least one Master Agility Championship.
All of our agility classes meet once per week for six weeks unless otherwise noted under the description on the sign up page. If you are unsure if a class is right for you, you may contact us for assistance and possible evaluation. If you are transferring from another facility or program and are not sure where you should start, please contact us and we would be happy to help you find the right class for you. Like Bell Creek on Facebook to receive notification when new classes are posted as well as to see what our students, and of course, our own dogs are up to.
All of our classes are grouped by their categories: Agility, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work, and Misc. If you cannot find the class you are looking for, please contact us for help.
Private lessons are available on a variety of topics and are ideal for dogs that are not able to work in a class setting at this time, or for teams that would like more individualized lessons. Please contact us to check availability and to schedule private lessons.
To guarantee your spot in class, it must be paid for prior to the start of class. Full refunds will be given if for any reason the class is cancelled. Full refunds (minus any online service fees) are given to students who withdraw 10+ days before the start of class. Refunds in the amount of 50% will be given to those withdrawing from class with less than 10 days until the start of the class. No refunds will be given after the start of the class session.
Please note that in our foundation agility classes, girls in heat/season are not allowed, but we do allow makeup classes for girls that miss due to this issue. Girls in season are allowed in seasonal/panties in our upper-level classes.
All of our agility classes meet once per week for six weeks unless otherwise noted under the description on the sign up page. If you are unsure if a class is right for you, you may contact us for assistance and possible evaluation. If you are transferring from another facility or program and are not sure where you should start, please contact us and we would be happy to help you find the right class for you. Like Bell Creek on Facebook to receive notification when new classes are posted as well as to see what our students, and of course, our own dogs are up to.
All of our classes are grouped by their categories: Agility, Obedience, Rally, Scent Work, and Misc. If you cannot find the class you are looking for, please contact us for help.
Private lessons are available on a variety of topics and are ideal for dogs that are not able to work in a class setting at this time, or for teams that would like more individualized lessons. Please contact us to check availability and to schedule private lessons.
To guarantee your spot in class, it must be paid for prior to the start of class. Full refunds will be given if for any reason the class is cancelled. Full refunds (minus any online service fees) are given to students who withdraw 10+ days before the start of class. Refunds in the amount of 50% will be given to those withdrawing from class with less than 10 days until the start of the class. No refunds will be given after the start of the class session.
Please note that in our foundation agility classes, girls in heat/season are not allowed, but we do allow makeup classes for girls that miss due to this issue. Girls in season are allowed in seasonal/panties in our upper-level classes.
COvid care
Our world has changed, but our desire to ensure not only the safety of our dogs, but of our students has remained. All students and staff are required to wear masks when in our building. We ask that you are masked when you enter and to please wash your hands after adjusting masks or touching surfaces. In addition to our restrooms for hand-washing, we also have hand-sanitizer available as well.
We ask anyone displaying fever or other possible signs of COVID, flu, etc, please remain home and you will be allowed to make up your class when you are healthy enough to do so. Please also understand if any of our instructor or staff become sick, we will ask them to do the same. We will strive hard to ensure there are no interruptions in your class schedule, but please understand the health of our students and staff does come first.
To ensure proper distancing, we ask that you limit the number of members of your household to three if possible. The individuals working their dog may be out on the floor at the same time. Any other family members will be asked to socially distance in our seating area. Whether on the floor or in our seating area, we ask that individuals try to ensure six-feet minimum distancing (which is pretty easy to do with the size of our facility).
We spray down Lysol on all non-rubber surfaces and a special cleaner for our contacts for disinfecting purposes daily and between classes on our high-contact surfaces.
We ask anyone displaying fever or other possible signs of COVID, flu, etc, please remain home and you will be allowed to make up your class when you are healthy enough to do so. Please also understand if any of our instructor or staff become sick, we will ask them to do the same. We will strive hard to ensure there are no interruptions in your class schedule, but please understand the health of our students and staff does come first.
To ensure proper distancing, we ask that you limit the number of members of your household to three if possible. The individuals working their dog may be out on the floor at the same time. Any other family members will be asked to socially distance in our seating area. Whether on the floor or in our seating area, we ask that individuals try to ensure six-feet minimum distancing (which is pretty easy to do with the size of our facility).
We spray down Lysol on all non-rubber surfaces and a special cleaner for our contacts for disinfecting purposes daily and between classes on our high-contact surfaces.
