Certified Trainer & Behavior Specialist
CGC Evalutor
Border Collie Breeder
Upon graduating high school, Rayna went to work at a Veterinary Hospital as a Kennel Tech. From there, she learned the skills needed to be an assistant to the Vet and a successful Pet Stylist. At the Vet Hospital, Rayna adopted her faithful companion, Claundyke. Claundyke's mix was 1/4 German Shepherd, 1/4 Akita and 1/2 Timber Wolf. With Claundyke at her side, Rayna became more involved with training. She took Claundyke for Nursing Home visits, as well as did School Demos and performed with a group of other canine fanactics called Canine Capers. Claundyke earned his CGC and passed the certification to become a Therapy Dog.
One adventure led Rayna, Claundyke and Zeplin accross country to work at a known show dog kennel in up state New York. Not agreeing with the treatment of the dogs, Rayna came back to Colorado. Eventually, Rayna's love for dogs and her desire to raise and train them led her to the South African Boerboel. Africa's version of the Mastiff. Her first female became the first Boerboel in the US to win the title of INT'L CH in the show circuit. Rayna was still very active with the Nursing Home visits and took her Boerboel puppies in for the residents to play with. Rayna imported a couple of males, one being the well known Dopper Butch. Rayna also produced the first Boerboel to get a title in Agility. After a few years of raising puppies, Rayna decided she needed more. So she parted with the majority of her prized Boerboels and headed south, to Texas.
October of 06, Rayna attended a Dog Training Academy in Texas were she graduated head of her class. Upon graduating, Rayna was given an apprenticeship. So she moved the rest of her canine pack to Texas with her. Including Hans, the German Shepherd she adopted because he was on his way to be euthanized due to fear behaviors, her pack was up to 12 members. After a few months as an apprentice, Rayna was offered the position of Kennel Manager. Rayna also taught group classes, focusing mostly on Agility.
During her time in Texas, Rayna had access to all the training equipment she would need to get her dogs ready for competitions. First thing was an agility title. Rayna trained weekly with her Border Collies, Raven and Kit. After the first trial, both dogs walked away with blue ribbons and legs towards their titles. After the Standard Novice Agility and Jumpers titles were earned, more training went into other avenues. Kit earned a Companion Dog (CD) title with the ASCA, with scores in the mid 190s..Then, both Raven and Kit earned a CD through the AKC. As well as their Novice Rally titles. Plus, Kit had earned a few points towards her conformation title. Kit kept moving on through Agility and managed to gain her Standard Open and Jumpers titles. Raven had to take it slow due to some hip issues.
Raven got her Fame in September of 07, when she was cast as the lead dog in a Valero Gas Station commercial. It was an all day event spent at the beautiful beach in Port Aransas, Texas. It was Raven's calling, all she had to do was run in the water and chase a Frisbee. What more could a dog want?
Though Rayna loved it in Texas, it was time to come home to Colorado. With her, she brought a pack of then 13. Rayna's pack has since grown to 16 dogs. Ranging in size from 110 lb Boerboel to a 10 lb Toty Collie.
Rayna is also an internationally known trainer. June of 2009 took her 7000 miles to the Philipines to help a fellow trainer open up his training center. Rayna introduced the CGC and Rally Obedience and taught a few other workshops as well.
