Meet Madelyn Pelzer: Planning a Career in Dogs
Madelyn began training dogs as a child and has been hooked on agility since she was about 14. She has participated in the AKC Agility League and is aiming for titles with her All American Dog, Aspen. She is looking forward to trying other dog sports and plans to become a dog trainer after a year-long program she is starting this fall.
Name: Madelyn Pelzer
Age: 17
Hometown: Darien, IL
Grade: Senior in High School
Family: Mother, Jessica Wilkinson
AKC: How old is your All American Dog and how did she come into your life?
Madelyn: My dog Aspen turned 2 on Aug. 9. I rescued her from a shelter hoping to bring in another dog to do sports with.
AKC: What got you started in training and competing with dogs?
Madelyn: I’ve had a love for dogs ever since I was little. At around 10, I really got into the dog world and started to learn about training dogs. At around 14 I got started in agility and have been hooked ever since.
AKC: Is your family involved in dog training/showing?
Madelyn: My family are all dog lovers, but I’m the only one who trains/competes.
AKC: What sports does your dog compete in and what titles/honors has he earned?
Madelyn: While Aspen hasn’t gotten any titles yet, we did win second place in junior handling in the AKC Agility League’s 20-inch Limited class last season. I plan on competing and earning titles in the near future with her.
AKC: Tell us about what dog training has meant to you.
Madelyn: Dog training has been one of the biggest parts of my life for years. I love getting to create such strong bonds with not only my dog but other dogs as well. It’s amazing to watch them thrive and be given more freedom and opportunities while both of us are also having fun in the process.
AKC: Tell us about any other dogs you may have – names, ages and what sports they compete in.
Madelyn: My only other dog at the moment is Bailey, a 5-year-old Border Collie mix. He was the dog that got me into agility. We had gotten third in AKC Agility League Junior Handlers 20” Limited last year. Due to health and mobility issues, Bailey has had to retire from agility but he still lives an active life and enjoys going out to social events and days in the city.
AKC: Do you own any “non-dog” pets?
Madelyn: I own a cat named “Kitty” and two ferrets named Ollie and Rue.
AKC: What are your goals in the sport of dogs?
Madelyn: I plan to continue to compete in agility, and my end goal is to compete at higher levels with multiple dogs. I also plan to get into dock diving, protection sports, and hopefully even Barn Hunt!
AKC: Do you plan do to something animal related as a career?
Madelyn: Yes! My goal is to become a dog trainer. After I finish high school, I’m planning on going to a dog trainers’ program in the fall for about a year!
AKC: In addition to dog sports, what extracurricular activities are you involved in?
Madelyn: I also run track. It’s been hard to balance the two, especially during track season, but I’m passionate about both, so I make sure to find time for them year-round.