Meet WCRL Trainer and Judge Charlene Swainamer
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Charlene Swainamer of Canaan, N.H., has trained her dogs in obedience since the early 1980s and rally since its inception in the mid-2000s. She is a retired special education teacher and dog trainer who still teaches rally and obedience classes on a limited basis. She has participated in World Cynosport Rally Limited (WCRL) with her Miniature Schnauzer and four Golden Retrievers, two of which are still competing, and became a judge to give back to the sport.
"I love the community, and I feel bad when I see a team struggling," she said. "I try to offer kind advice to help them be the best they can be. When handlers and dogs come together as a team, their smiles are priceless to me. Judging teams from their very beginning to their final runs is very rewarding, and I take pride in being a small part of their journey."
Charlene’s DIY training
Because she lives in a rural area where training classes are few and far between, Charlene has trained all her dogs herself. Three of her Golden Retrievers and her Mini Schnauzer achieved ARCHMX titles and were nationally ranked. Her training methods include cookies, kindness and consistency.
"The key to everything is not to over-drill your partner, be fair and consistent in your requests, and above all else, have fun," Charlene said. She doesn’t focus on a training schedule but instead incorporates training into her dogs’ everyday lives, utilizing mealtimes, daily walks and backyard playtime to practice their signs. “I make it a fun game. Our dogs’ lives are short, and I do not want to be a drill sergeant. I’m the one who wants to play these games; I want my dogs to enjoy them, too.”
Charlene started training alone by buying rulebooks and reading every chapter. She also went to local trials to watch, learn and volunteer. While those methods are still helpful, she said there are a variety of online options today that can help someone learn about rally or agility from virtual classes by host organizations to free YouTube videos.
‘Think of the dog first, the sport second’
Charlene has adopted several rescue dogs. Some have started training with her right away, but she always lets the dogs decide when to start.
“I like the saying, ‘Think of the dog first, the sport second,’” she said. “I currently have a little 1-year-old mix that came out of a bad situation. My primary goal right now is to keep him safe, build trust and teach him that not all people are bad. If things go well, maybe we will sta
rt working on rally and obedience moves late next year. Or maybe not; I will let him tell me.”
For anyone looking to participate in rally or staring out in agility, Charlene says to just go for it. “It’s fun for both handler and dog and helps strengthen your bond. Many of the moves can be used in everyday life. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Don’t concentrate on titles and placements; concentrate on your partnership and teamwork with your dog. Rally on and enjoy every movement!”