Patti Engleman
Owner, CGC ELEVATOR, Agility Course Testing Evaluator, Foundation OBEDIENCE Instructor, Competition Obedience Instructor, foundation agility Instructor, competition Agility instructor, Trick Dog Instructor and evaluator
My Dogs
I have earned multiple Master Agility Championships and Preferred Agility Championships with several of my dogs, while also competing and earning titles with them in higher-level Obedience and Rally. I’ve had the privilege of coaching numerous students, some of whom have achieved their own Master Agility Championships, while others have advanced to compete at agility nationals.
All three of my Labradors qualified for the National Agility Championships at least once, with two achieving this honor multiple times. My younger two Labradors were also recognized at the annual Labrador Retriever Club Specialty as top 25 Labradors in the nation for agility—a testament to their exceptional performance. Additionally, my Xoloitzcuintli has been ranked the number one agility dog of her breed in the nation for the past five years. She excelled at the 2024 Invitationals winning not only her jump height, but having the fastest of any height and she reached the Challengers Round at the 2025 National Agility Championship. She was also invited to the prestigious 2025 Premier Cup, though we had to decline this year.
Above all, my dogs are beloved members of my family. Our strong working relationship not only makes training enjoyable but also enriches our home life, creating countless cherished memories. Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs of all shapes and sizes—from tiny Chihuahuas to towering Great Danes—and many breeds in between. My journey with dogs has been as rewarding as it has been diverse.
I have trained under a variety of instructors and participated in seminars led by some of the top handlers in both agility and obedience, both across the United States and internationally. As dog training continues to evolve, I believe it’s essential to stay current with the latest techniques—not only to benefit my own dogs but also to provide my students with the highest quality instruction. To this end, I attend multiple seminars and workshops each year, focusing primarily on agility while also incorporating obedience training. I tailor my training approach to suit the unique needs of each team because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to training. Dogs should enjoy the process, and if they’re not having fun, they are not going to want to work.
My Journey
I grew up with sled teams, but my first true pet was a Labrador retriever that I received from Springwind Labradors at the age of nine. We were not Bell's first home, but after being taken back from a bad situation as a pup, she came to live with my family at the age of six months. It did not take long for Bell and me to form a bond that could not be broken. Bell was not a versatile athlete, but instead was my best friend and my constant companion as I went from a childhood into adulthood. I have so many memories that she is a part of and my heart still aches from her loss at the age of 16.
I waited to get my next dog as I knew I needed time to be fair to them as they could not be her. When I was ready, I returned to my breeder for a black lab puppy, but she did not have one available at the time. After much discussion I decided to take a 2-year-old yellow Labrador while going on a wait list for a black Labrador. I did not know how much my world was going to change. It was my intent to do obedience with my new dog, but she was not a confident girl. My breeder suggested that I try agility with her and we were hooked. In agility her timidity and fears melted away to reveal a possessed yellow Labrador who only knew that it was the greatest game ever. Agility gave her the confidence to earn her RAE (Rally Advanced Excellent) as well as her CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) from AKC. In AKC agility she was able to earn multiple titles and championships as well as qualify for AKC nationals
Alongside Flirt, my journey with dogs grew to include a little black puppy I couldn’t resist (Rizzo), a chocolate puppy we were fostering for a breeder but couldn’t let go of (Zip), a spirited Sheltie named James who once belonged to my dear friend Debi Hill, and a fiery little Xoloitzcuintli named Tyra Banks. Tyra was my introduction to the world of Xolos, sparking a love that has since brought Score, Midge Maisel, and Rave into our family.Each of my dogs has their own unique personality, teaching me lessons I never anticipated. While some moments have been far from graceful, I’ve never given up on my dogs, and they’ve never given up on me. To me, they are family first, and I can’t imagine life without them. Every title we’ve earned together has been part of a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of competing in various venues, though AKC events have been my favorite. In AKC alone, I earned more than 50 titles with my first two dogs across agility, obedience, and rally—a number I’ve long since stopped keeping track of as our achievements have continued to grow.
Whether actively competing or simply practicing together, my time with my dogs remains the ultimate reward. It’s not just about titles or ribbons; it’s about the bond we share and the journey we take together. These experiences, both in competition and at home, are what make our time together so meaningful.with them.
All three of my Labradors qualified for the National Agility Championships at least once, with two achieving this honor multiple times. My younger two Labradors were also recognized at the annual Labrador Retriever Club Specialty as top 25 Labradors in the nation for agility—a testament to their exceptional performance. Additionally, my Xoloitzcuintli has been ranked the number one agility dog of her breed in the nation for the past five years. She excelled at the 2024 Invitationals winning not only her jump height, but having the fastest of any height and she reached the Challengers Round at the 2025 National Agility Championship. She was also invited to the prestigious 2025 Premier Cup, though we had to decline this year.
Above all, my dogs are beloved members of my family. Our strong working relationship not only makes training enjoyable but also enriches our home life, creating countless cherished memories. Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs of all shapes and sizes—from tiny Chihuahuas to towering Great Danes—and many breeds in between. My journey with dogs has been as rewarding as it has been diverse.
I have trained under a variety of instructors and participated in seminars led by some of the top handlers in both agility and obedience, both across the United States and internationally. As dog training continues to evolve, I believe it’s essential to stay current with the latest techniques—not only to benefit my own dogs but also to provide my students with the highest quality instruction. To this end, I attend multiple seminars and workshops each year, focusing primarily on agility while also incorporating obedience training. I tailor my training approach to suit the unique needs of each team because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to training. Dogs should enjoy the process, and if they’re not having fun, they are not going to want to work.
My Journey
I grew up with sled teams, but my first true pet was a Labrador retriever that I received from Springwind Labradors at the age of nine. We were not Bell's first home, but after being taken back from a bad situation as a pup, she came to live with my family at the age of six months. It did not take long for Bell and me to form a bond that could not be broken. Bell was not a versatile athlete, but instead was my best friend and my constant companion as I went from a childhood into adulthood. I have so many memories that she is a part of and my heart still aches from her loss at the age of 16.
I waited to get my next dog as I knew I needed time to be fair to them as they could not be her. When I was ready, I returned to my breeder for a black lab puppy, but she did not have one available at the time. After much discussion I decided to take a 2-year-old yellow Labrador while going on a wait list for a black Labrador. I did not know how much my world was going to change. It was my intent to do obedience with my new dog, but she was not a confident girl. My breeder suggested that I try agility with her and we were hooked. In agility her timidity and fears melted away to reveal a possessed yellow Labrador who only knew that it was the greatest game ever. Agility gave her the confidence to earn her RAE (Rally Advanced Excellent) as well as her CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) from AKC. In AKC agility she was able to earn multiple titles and championships as well as qualify for AKC nationals
Alongside Flirt, my journey with dogs grew to include a little black puppy I couldn’t resist (Rizzo), a chocolate puppy we were fostering for a breeder but couldn’t let go of (Zip), a spirited Sheltie named James who once belonged to my dear friend Debi Hill, and a fiery little Xoloitzcuintli named Tyra Banks. Tyra was my introduction to the world of Xolos, sparking a love that has since brought Score, Midge Maisel, and Rave into our family.Each of my dogs has their own unique personality, teaching me lessons I never anticipated. While some moments have been far from graceful, I’ve never given up on my dogs, and they’ve never given up on me. To me, they are family first, and I can’t imagine life without them. Every title we’ve earned together has been part of a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of competing in various venues, though AKC events have been my favorite. In AKC alone, I earned more than 50 titles with my first two dogs across agility, obedience, and rally—a number I’ve long since stopped keeping track of as our achievements have continued to grow.
Whether actively competing or simply practicing together, my time with my dogs remains the ultimate reward. It’s not just about titles or ribbons; it’s about the bond we share and the journey we take together. These experiences, both in competition and at home, are what make our time together so meaningful.with them.
