Meet Lauren Ecker: Keeping the Fun in a Successful Agility Career
Lauren was accompanying her mother to an agility training class while she was training her dog, Scout. One day Lauren wanted to try her hand at the sport, and that was the beginning of a great agility career. Scout became Lauren’s dog. She handled him to his MACH last September, and in addition to her other agility goals Lauren will soon begin therapy dog work with him.
Name: Lauren Ecker
Age: 17
Hometown: Makanda, IL
Grade: 11th
Family: Parents Kim and Bill Ecker; two older brothers, Garrison and Bryce
AKC: What got you started in training and competing with dogs?
Lauren: I started training dogs when Scout was about 6 months old. He is 4 years old now. We took him to my current trainer’s puppy obedience classes, and we found out she also taught agility classes. Scout was a very energetic puppy, and we thought agility would be a good outlet for him. My mom originally was taking the class with him and one day I wanted to give it a try and since then he has been my agility dog.
AKC: Is your family involved in dog training/showing?
Lauren: My family wasn’t involved in competing with or training dogs before we got Scout, but my grandmother has a Miniature American Shepherd named Pyper. She and my mother have been training and competing with Pyper since I accidentally stole my mom’s agility dog (Scout). It’s great to see your love of a sport get adopted by your family members who can share that experience with you.
AKC: What sports does your dog compete in and what titles/honors has he earned?
Lauren: Scout and I mainly compete in agility, but we have competed in rally, scent work, and Fast CAT but he has since retired from those. His full AKC registered name is MACH Scout LC Speed Demon RN MX MXB MXJ MJB MXF T2B FCAT CGC TKE. On Sept. 28, 2024, Scout, who is my Novice A dog, accomplished his Masters Agility Championship. Achieving his MACH as a junior handler means so much to me, as it defines why juniors are the future of this sport. We also qualified for and competed (our first year eligible) at the 2024 Nationals Agility Championship in Perry, Georgia. Since then, Scout and I have qualified for the 2025 National Agility Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We had so much fun at the last NAC and can’t wait to see how next year goes.
Scout and I have competed twice in Orlando, Florida, at the national Juniors Agility Competition, and last year’s event, in December, was our third and final time since I am going to age out next year. In 2022, Scout and I got fourth place in 16-inches and in 2023 we got second, so I am very excited to see how our last JAC will turn out. Scout and I were also team members of the 2024 USA Junior Open Agility World Championship Team that went to Belgium this summer. Cumulatively, we placed sixth over approximately 80 dogs. Representing Team USA will be an unforgettable memory; I am so thankful I had the opportunity. I have also competed in the AKC Juniors Virtual Trick Dog competition with Scout four times, winning our category in 2021 and 2024.
AKC: Tell us about what dog training has meant to you.
Lauren: Dog training means a lot to me. It has taught me so many important lessons that have transferred to my everyday life. In my agility career with Scout, I have learned the importance of perseverance and hard work. For me, agility exercises good sportsmanship, being a team, communication skills, and putting your dog before the sport. It has given me so much confidence in myself, and I hope that everyone can find a love for something that is as beneficial as agility is to me.
AKC: Tell us about any other dogs you may have – names, ages and what sports they compete in.
Lauren: Scout is my only agility dog, but sometimes I train and compete with my Grandmother’s Miniature American Shepherd, Pyper. She mainly does agility, but we have trained in rally and Barn Hunt. She is 2 years old and a lot of fun in agility. She absolutely loves the sport and has a lot of potential.
AKC: Do you own any “non-dog” pets?
Lauren: I don’t own any non-dog pets, but I have a 10 year old Great Pyrenees-Newfoundland cross who was from an “oops” litter. He lives outdoors on our 400-acre farm, and he loves his freedom.
AKC: What are your goals in the sport of dogs?
Lauren: My goal in the sport of dogs is to continue to have fun, which is what it is all about. With Scout, I hope to make the 2025 JOAWC USA team headed to Portugal next summer, go to Westminster at some point, continue to qualify and attend the National Agility Championship, and achieve as many championships on him as possible. Most importantly though I want to see him have fun on the course and see our teamwork shine.
AKC: Do you plan do to something animal related as a career?
Lauren: I plan on doing something in the medical field, as helping others has always been important to me. As of now, I am most likely going to focus on human medicine, but I plan to keep up with training and competing with my dogs.
AKC: What other activities are you involved in addition to dog sports?
Lauren: In addition to dog sports, I am very school focused. I’m a part of the NHS (National Honors Society) chapter at my school, FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) organization, and WINGS (Women in God’s Service) club,
which donates to our local safehouse for women and other organizations. I have also volunteered at the VA (Veterans Affairs) hospital for two summers in a row. I feel like serving our veterans is the best way to show our appreciation for their service. Recently, Scout earned his Alliance of Therapy dog certification, so I will take him to visit at our VA hospital to bring joy to the veterans through tricks, agility showcases, and just being there to love on.