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 classes are small to ensure lots of individual working time on classes with 6-8 students we do have an assistant to ensure you get the attention you pup deserves. Please know that we do not allow dogs displaying aggression in classes. Dogs with reactivity we will work with privately. Dogs with excessive barking or are too out of control will be pulled from classes and offered the chance to work privately until they are ready. Not sure if your dog is ready for a class setting... contact us!
All of our classes meet weekly for six weeks unless otherwise noted under the description on the sign-up page (we sometimes have skip weeks due to trials or personal schedules). 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.
We love working with handlers of all ages. Please note when signing up a junior handler for classes, that while you do not need to be on the floor with them, you must remain on the premises for the duration of class.
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.
***The above refund policy is regardless of the date you sign up and are only based off of the start date of the class. You are ultimately responsible for the class you sign up for, so please read the descriptions carefully. If you have questions, please contact us, so we can try and help you find the correct class for you.
We try and accommodate our students as we are able, but making up a class may not be possible depending on the type of class you signed up for due to limited availability. We do allow 1-2 make up lessons for injury or illness in our foundation obedience classes. We do not allow for make ups in our performance classes.
Please note that in our foundation classes as well as scent work, 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 obedience and agility classes.
All of our classes meet weekly for six weeks unless otherwise noted under the description on the sign-up page (we sometimes have skip weeks due to trials or personal schedules). 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.
We love working with handlers of all ages. Please note when signing up a junior handler for classes, that while you do not need to be on the floor with them, you must remain on the premises for the duration of class.
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.
***The above refund policy is regardless of the date you sign up and are only based off of the start date of the class. You are ultimately responsible for the class you sign up for, so please read the descriptions carefully. If you have questions, please contact us, so we can try and help you find the correct class for you.
We try and accommodate our students as we are able, but making up a class may not be possible depending on the type of class you signed up for due to limited availability. We do allow 1-2 make up lessons for injury or illness in our foundation obedience classes. We do not allow for make ups in our performance classes.
Please note that in our foundation classes as well as scent work, 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 obedience and agility classes.
