Meet Sophie Penson – Trick Trainer Extraordinaire!
At age 17, Sophie has achieved more than many dog trainers do in a lifetime. She is already a celebrated trick dog trainer and has achieved many firsts in the field.
Name: Sophie Penson
Age: 17
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Grade: 11th
Family: Parents, Nicole and Jimmy
AKC: How old is Ducky and how did she come into your life?
Ducky is 6; I rescued her from Helping Paws Rescue in 2016. I had just lost my dog Hogan and was looking for a new dog who I might also be able to do agility with. I heard about Ducky, and she was all over my dad and me when we went to meet her. She came to our house for a home inspection and within an hour she was ours. I discovered very quickly how smart she was and, although she ended up being too nervous around other dogs to trial, she excels in many online titling venues.
AKC: What got you started in training and competing with dogs? Tell us about what dog training has meant to you.
My interest in training was garnered by a summer camp I used to go to that I am now a counselor for. The camp is run by a local dog and cat rescue, and it encompasses the importance of rescue/responsible breeding, how to care for a pet, the animal shelter/rescue intake process, etc. Part of it includes a basic introduction to dog training, and once I got a taste I went home and had my dad help me build an agility course in the backyard. While I just trained my dogs on the course for fun, I hoped to one day compete (and still have that hope). I got Ducky about two years later; she got her TDCH (trick dog champion) title virtually a few months after I brought her home, and while an AP student workload kept me from training for a few years, we picked it back up a year ago when COVID hit and haven’t looked back. I am an all-star trainer of the year certified trick dog instructor with Do More With Your Dog!, silver medal stunt dog competition judge, canine conditioning fitness coach, and triple crown trainer. I embrace being a trainer as it gives me confidence, a fun hobby, and a way to bond with my dogs.
I am the first triple crown trainer in Georgia with 215 titled students total and currently the youngest handler in the world to put the titles of stunt dog grand champion and triple crown champion on a dog (also the first junior handler for both). Ducky is even the first mixed breed in the world to earn the triple crown champion title; I accomplished all this at 16 and showed myself that I could do a lot more than I thought I was capable of. What I always tell people is to never doubt yourself or your dog. There is a feeling I get when I train that I can’t exactly put into words… the best I’ve got is that it is a burst of joy, passion, growth and sometimes even relief all in one when I watch Ducky figure out the behavior.
AKC: Is your family involved in dog training/showing?
No, I am the only one who trains, but my parents and I have fostered hundreds of rescue dogs over the years.
AKC: What sports does Ducky compete in and what titles and honors has he earned?
Ducky and I partake in tricks, stunt, canine conditioning, parkour, and canine freestyle. Through the AKC she has earned Trick Dog Elite Performer, Stunt Dog Professional, and Virtual Home Manners Adult; her formal name with titles is Penson’s Agile Archduck SDPRO TKE VHMA. She holds breed firsts with Do More With Your Dog! and Universal Canine All Stars as well. She has earned a total of 76 titles with AKC and numerous other titling programs.
AKC: Tell us about any other dogs you may have – names, ages, and what sports they compete in.
I have one other dog, Hope. She has her Trick Dog Performer title, and her formal name is Hope, Freedom and Courage TKP. She participates in tricks, stunt, canine conditioning, and a bit of parkour. She is a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd mix who has earned a total of 39 titles.
AKC: Do you own any “non-dog” pets?
No, just Hope and Ducky. I used to have fish, though!
AKC: What are your goals in the sport of dogs?
Right now, my number one goal continues to be to grow as a trainer and have fun with my dogs. I want to learn as much as I can about what I do, and I hope to teach trick classes at some point. Ducky and I also hope to soon perform freestyle routines in senior homes for seniors who are shut in due to COVID restrictions.
AKC: Do you plan to do something animal related as a career?
While I do not know exactly what I want to do, exploring a career such as professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist is not out of the question for me. I might end up in a dog career… we will see!
AKC: What extracurricular activities are you involved in in addition to dog sports?
At school I am a co-president in training of sources of strength (mental health advocacy) and a board member of student government. I am also a member of science Olympiad, creative writing club, science national honor society, math national honor society, English national honor society, social studies national honor society and national honor society. While I am not currently on a team, I play volleyball too.
AKC: What titles and honors have you earned as a trainer?
All-Star Trainer of the Year Trick Dog Instructor CTDI
Silver Medal Stunt Dog Competition Judge SDJ
Certified Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach CCFC
Do More With Your Dog! Triple Crown Trainer TCT