Meet Kendall Betz: She Learned That Training Can Build a Dog’s Confidence
Name: Kendall Betz
Age: 16
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Grade: 11th
Family: Parents, Brian and Elizabeth, sister Libbie
Kendall caught the dog-training bug when she and a friend attended a training camp at the Richmond, VA, SPCA. They learned about canine behavior and how to teach basic tricks. At the end of the session, there was an agility play day. Kendall’s dog, Rosie, lacked confidence but on that day, it was clear that agility was the sport that turned her into a different dog.
In December 2019, they competed at the AKC Junior Agility Competition in Orlando, FL, placing fourth in the 8-inch jump height division.
AKC: How old is Rosie and how did she come into your life?
Rosie is 10 years old, and I got her when she was a puppy. When I was younger, we had two labs. When I was in first grade, one of our labs died, and my parents let me choose our next dog. I told my parents I wanted a white, fluffy dog like my grandparent’s dog, and we brought Rosie home. She has been my dog from the start and quickly became my best friend.
AKC: What got you started in training and competing with dogs? Tell us about what dog training has meant to you.
When I was in fifth grade, I went with my friend to a dog training camp at the Richmond SPCA. We learned how to train basic tricks and about canine behavior. At the end of the camp, there was an agility play day when we went into the agility ring and played on some of the obstacles. Rosie had lots of confidence issues and was very nervous around all the people and dogs at the camp, but all that changed when we started training. The day we went into the agility ring, she lit up, and it was clear that she absolutely loved agility. After that camp, I trained her in basic manners. Then we started agility. I had no expectation of competing with her, but I eventually entered a trial to see how she did. Rosie thrived in the trial environment. She was happy, confident and responsive and absolutely blew me away. On our first run in competition, she got a Q with a score of 100. After that, we kept training and competing. We are excited to see where else it takes us.
Both Rosie and I found our passions in agility and training. Rosie is her best self in the agility ring, and she is always so excited to run agility and train with me. I really couldn’t have asked for a better Novice A dog. I love agility and dog training because it gives me an escape and allows me to build strong relationships with the dogs and people I work with. Working with Rosie has taught me so much, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her or training.
AKC: Is your family involved in dog training/showing?
I am the only one in my family involved in dog training/showing.
AKC: What sports does Rosie compete in and what titles/honors has she earned?
Rosie competes in agility and has earned her NA, NAJ, OA, OAJ, AX, and AXJ titles. We are also working towards earning her Novice Trick Dog title. This past December, we competed at the AKC Junior Agility Competition in Orlando, and Rosie placed fourth out of the 8-inch dogs.
AKC: Tell us about any other dogs you may have – names, ages and what sports they compete in.
I have an 8-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Penny. She has her CGC and is training for agility.
AKC: Do you own any “non-dog” pets?
My sister has a hamster named Buddy.
AKC: What are your goals in the sport of dogs?
My goal is to take a dog to the AKC National Agility Championship and to get a MACH. While I would love for this dog to be Rosie, the only goal I have for her is to continue having fun training and competing in agility for as long as possible. I also hope to start exploring more dog sports with my future dogs.
AKC: Do you plan do to something animal related as a career?
Right now, I’m not sure what I will do for a career, but I do hope dogs continue to be part of my life. This summer, I’m interning at a veterinary office, which I’m hoping will help me decide if I want to work in the veterinary field as a career. The only thing I know for sure is that I want to continue training dogs and being involved in dog sports.
AKC: What extracurricular activities are you involved in addition to dog sports?
I do gymnastics for my high school and I used to run cross country.