Madeline with Sierra's Unlimited OAJ AX and Cabin Creek's Rocket Scientist OAJ NA. Photo by PupArt-Kathleen Schaffer.

Agility with Cabin Creek Labs
by Madeline Greene

My name is Madeline Greene and I show and train Labrador Retrievers. I cannot remember a time where I was not with my dogs. When I was very little, I loved animals so much that my mom took me to Ringling Brothers Circus. It was an experience that inspired me to go home and begin training our three dogs, by putting them on the couch, and telling them to stay. One at a time they could come down but the others had to wait their turn to do an obstacle course made out of brooms and chairs. One of my mom's best friends, Jan Norton, started agility with my dog Sierra's brother. Jan told my mom about Kanosak K9 training. Cathy Fleury, the agility teacher believed in me enough to train me and Sierra (Sierra's Unlimited OAJ AX). I was only 7 at the time. I was the only child training at that facility at the time in agility.

I trained for about a year before my first AKC Trial. The people at the trials were so supportive. It is a great sport where everyone cheers for everyone else. Competing with my dogs at an AKC level has given me confidence and taught me to be more patient. If we don't qualify I can bet it was a handler error and not one my dogs that made a mistake. Even judges have been nice enough to offer words of encouragement to me when I am competing. That makes you feel important and satisfied.

Madeline guides Logan over the A-Frame. Photo by PupArt-Kathleen Schaffer.

Training started to include Logan (Cabin Creeks Rocket Scientist), Ticket (Cabin Creeks Speeding Duck), and John (Camelots Dragon Play at Cabin Creek TD) as well as Sierra. Logan and Ticket are Sierra's daughters. Sierra is currently working on her AXJ and only needs one more leg. Logan has her NA, NAJ, and OAJ. Ticket has just started competing in agility. John in working on his Novice titles so he can get his VCD1. I also do obedience with Logan, Sierra and Ticket. I hope to put a CD on Logan this winter. Suzan Scott is training Logan, Ticket, John and I in hunting with the hopes of JH titles. She also is our obedience trainer. We also compete in the breed ring. I am the handler for our puppies so they learn that the ring is a happy place to be. All my mom wants to see at their first few shows is a wagging tail. I enjoy starting the puppies.

I am lucky enough to be able to pick a puppy that works for me from a line of Labradors that have been at Cabin Creek for Generations. Because I live on a farm, my dogs are my companions, my playmates and my hobbies.