Instructors

Lizanne is an AKC Obedience and Tracking Judge and a dog training instructor at Oakland Dog Training Club, where she teaches all levels of competitive Obedience.

 Lizanne has been competing in AKC dog sports (Obedience, Tracking, and Rally) since 2005. She and her German Shepherd Dogs have earned numerous AKC titles, including: Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH2), Champion Tracker (CT), and Obedience Grand Master (OGM). Her dogs have ranked #1 German Shepherd Dog in AKC Obedience  (based on OTCH points) and have competed at the AKC National Obedience Championship (NOC) multiple times, finishing in the top 20 dogs nationally. In 2012, her dog Dante won German Shepherd Dog Club of America's Obedience Victor (OV) and Top Scoring Obedience Dog of the Year -- the only rescue dog from an animal shelter ever to achieve these prestigious awards.

Lizanne's training philosophy is founded on relationship-based training. Trainers need to have a large tool box of training techniques. No tool or method works for all dogs, or even for the same dog all the time. Ultimately, what's most important is to read your dog in the moment and tailor your response based on your dog's individual training needs and progression. This requires having a trusting relationship and honest communication style with your dog. This is essential no matter what your goals are -- whether it's having a well-mannered canine companion at home or pursuing a variety of dog activities together.

 In 2012 my wife and I brought home our first dog together. Margaret fell in love with Chloe, who was housed at the SFSPCA. At fourteen months Chloe had been surrendered twice from different families; her energy and vet bills were too much of a burden for either family to keep her. Little did we know that Chloe would change our lives more than any other event thus far.  She was reactive and energetic; nervous and attentive; bright and aware. She had very little confidence. She was unsure of everything, especially of me. We hired a behaviorist who told us that if we decided to keep her, that she would be a long term project. The next day I returned her to the SPCA. The following morning, feeling the emptiness of the night without Chloe's warmth and energy, we got her back. She was so very happy to see us. We sought more help with some of the best pet dog and sport dog trainers we could find. Each trainer told me that I would have to become a dog trainer to help her.

That is how my journey began. I have volunteered with the Oakland Dog Training Club helping Lynn Kosmakos with the beginning obedience class every week since 2012. I've worked with dog trainers from many different disciplines such as barn hunt, scent work, AKC Obedience, and protection sports.

The wonderful thing about dog training is that there is so much to learn and I have continued my training at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Training and attend seminars to keep my skills active and ready for more dog training.It was once commented that I really like working instinct sports with my dogs. Instinct sports helped us build Chloe's confidence and as a result we learned to trust each other. My other dog, Mushroom, is a specialty high-drive sport-mixed dog. You'll find us hiking in the hills or playing on the beach where good dogs are allowed.

I am thankful for the Oakland Dog Training Club (ODTC) because of our commitment to the dogs we love. Our members actively compete in AKC events at the highest levels, yet know the importance and value of pet dog training to the community.

 I have been training dogs for 35+ yrs in obedience basic & advanced. I trained with a local obedience dog club for 25+ yrs, trained with a world renowned trainer for yrs, taken several seminars on dog training.  I have extensive training with FEMA USAR teams across the USA, (9/11, Hurricanes) & Search & Rescue.  One of my GSDs went to 9/11 with CATF-4 to assist with the search efforts.  I’ve received obedience titles on several of my Rottweilers, tracking titles, AKC competition obedience, conformation, etc..  

 I acquired my first German Shepherd while in college (many years ago!), and got hooked on 2 canine sports immediately: obedience and tracking. Another GSD soon followed and both dogs had long obedience trial careers and earned their TDXs.

Since those early days I have raised 2 kids, now in their 30’s, each living with a rescue dog, and my GSD life has continued as a breed mainstay. Along the way, I loved a 25 pound poodle mix I rescued off the streets of San Jose (being actively pursued by a pack of dogs!), trained and showed an English Setter in conformation and tracking (both of which he loved, good thing because he HATED obedience), 3 greyhounds (we dabbled in lure coursing but excelled in beach running!), my first border collie and first of my herding triple champions.  I now live with border collies, Race and Tessa, and GSD, Yancy.

Yancy is the newest member of the clan who so far has earned her BN, CGC, TKN, RN, and the AKC herding test titles. She is actively training for her CD, CDX, RA, herding for trials, and tracking. Race is working towards finishing his UD and RA, and he and Tessa are both triple herding champions on sheep, cattle and ducks. All serve as partners in my dog training business.

I am an AKC and AHBA herding judge and trainer, actively competing in all herding venues with GSDs, BCs, and other herding breeds I train and handle. I am also an AKC CGC and Trick Dog Trainer and Evaluator.

I consider myself a balanced, motivational trainer and believe in bringing out the best in your human to canine relationship through the training of skills for your dog and better handling for you as you perfect those skills and teamwork.

Obedience and rally should not be boring or mundane, but active, fun, adventurous, and enjoyable for both species! I have earned blue ribbons, trophies, High in Trial awards, and even prize money in my endeavors, but ribbons fade, trophies collect dust, no one remembers your highs but you, and the money gets spent. But the value of relationship building with your dog lasts forever. Green ribbons are lovely, but it’s the journey we should value more than anything.

 My journey through life did not include a dog until I acquired a West Highland

White Terrier named Muffy (Cameron’s Carole UD) in 1974. She began my dog

training odyssey.

Over the years I have trained and earned conformation, obedience, rally, tracking and agility titles on Westies, Irish Terriers, an Australian Shepherd, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and an English Springer Spaniel. My first Irish Terrier, OTCH Begorra Katie Scarlet O’Henry UDX3, became the first Irish Terrier Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) and earned the first Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) title awarded to a Terrier. My dogs and I have competed in numerous competitions throughout the United States and have been nationally ranked in obedience at all levels many times. I have taught public obedience classes for Arydith Obedience School, San Mateo Dog Training Club and Oakland Dog Training Club. I am a firm believer that learning is never-ending and continue to challenge myself to learn new methods of dog training through lessons and seminars. I currently share my home with one patient husband, one Irish Terrier, Paddy, and one All-American (mostly Border Terrier), Badger.

A dog well and kindly taught is a far better companion than a dog that is simply well taken care of. All of us who train dogs know that no one method of dog training works for every dog and handler. The art of class instruction is to teach obedience skills to a diverse group of people and dogs in a way that addresses their individual needs. As a trainer my goal is to help each handler build a good relationship with their dog while learning the skills necessary to succeed in

performance at a level that is satisfying to both the handler and dog. My greatest

pleasure is inspiring people to find as much joy in dog training as I have.

 I joined ODTC in 1996 and began Obedience training my 9-year-old Brittany, Pepper, under the skillful guidance of Lori Drouin. Pepper went on to earn his CD title in 3 trials, with scores that qualified him to go to the Regional Championship where he competed at the age of 10.5, proving that a dog is never too old to start learning and competing in Obedience! 

My next Brittany, Riley, started training with Lori when he was just a pup. We were already competing in Obedience when AKC introduced Rally. I was drawn to the idea of moving through a course with varied exercises to perform, so Riley and I began competing in Rally. Riley had one Utility leg and had earned his RAE title by the time he was retired. 

My next Brittany was Riley’s nephew, Banjo. We competed in both Rally and Obedience. He had already earned his CDX  when AKC came out with Beginner Novice, so we went back and got that title as well. His Rally experience included earning his RAE4 and competing at the Rally Championship in 2013 and 2016. 

I am now working with Tully, who currently has earned his CDX title, his RAE4 and his RM2 titles, and we are working toward earning the additional Master points he needs for his RACH. 

I began teaching Obedience for SMDTC in 2012, for VDTC in 2014 and for MDDTC in 2024. I began teaching Rally for SMDTC in 2011, for ODTC in 2012, for VDTC in 2017 and for MDDTC in 2021.