CATHIE SABIN

Most of Cathie Sabin’s life has been blessed with dogs. Cathie has been training dogs since the early "70's". Cathie started Better Canines Through Instruction while renting 2 different buildings and working with the local park districts in the area. At the time she was holding a job in the corporate world and worked with the dogs part time. In 1982, Cathie decided that working with dogs full time was the course of the future for her. B.C. Dog Training is now in one central building located in Mundelein, Illinois.

Cathie's experience with canine behavior comes from working with mentors and trainers across the country, attending Veterinarian College, seminars, workshops and conferences. Although Cathie feels that her course work is important, her hands-on experience with all breeds has proven to be more valuable than all the books and programs attended.

As a breeder of Champion Doberman Pinschers many of her puppies have developed into working Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs as well as family companion dogs. Cathie competes in Obedience and Conformation shows across the United States with her Dobermans.

Cathie is an Approved Illinois Humane Investigator for the State and works closely with Animal Control and Rescue Groups training dogs so that they are easier to place and STAY with their new families. She has appeared in court as an expert witness for the County and adjoining Counties. Cathie is actively involved with current Canine Legislation affecting all breeds for Illinois dog owners. Cathie is also recommended by veterinarians, pet shops, groomers and breeders for her balanced approach to training. Cathie's expertise in training has helped many physically challenged individuals improve their quality of life by being able to be independent with the help of their dogs. Cathie has also trained thousands of puppies and adult dogs throughout the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area to become wonderful canine companions and family members.

Cathie offers all this experience to her clients through all the programs at B.C. Dog Training!

In her spare time, Cathie sits on the Board of Directors for 3 Rescue groups and on a Watch Dog Committee for Legislation, Illinois Dog Clubs and Breeders Association.

Cathie is a member of:
International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
CDT (Certified Dog Trainer)

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT)

Illinois Dog Clubs & Breeders Association, Inc. (IDCBA)

Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA)

American Dog Owners Association (ADOA)

Parents Against Irresponsible Dog Owners™(P.A.I.D.O™)

 

KEVIN CASHMAN

Kevin has been training at B.C. Dog Training since 2005 when his German Shorthaired Pointer (Blaize) was just 10 weeks old. Kevin has been involved with several sporting breeds his entire life and trains his dogs for obedience and field work. He has owned and trained Golden Retrievers, Brittany’s, Vizslas, and German Shorthaired Pointers. He believes that obedience training is a necessity for the sporting breeds and provides a solid training foundation that can be carried forward when working your dog in the field.

Kevin has been involved with a number of AKC events such as Hunting Tests, Field Trails, Obedience Trials, Rally, Canine Good Citizen testing, and Therapy Dog testing. He is also a member of the North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club (NADKC) and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). His GSP’s, Blaize and Zander currently have Companion Dog and Rally titles as well as several hunting titles. Both of his dogs are certified Therapy dogs with Therapy Dog International.

Kevin is an active member with the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and he is also actively involved with the Illinois Shorthair Rescue.

KIM FOSTER

Kim started training at B.C. Dog Training in December of 2000 with her second German Shorthaired Pointer, Madie. Soon after, she was observing classes and then assisting. In December of 2002 Madie received her CD Title. Her third GSP Ellie recieved her CD Title in February of 2003 and her CDX in March of 2004, and went on to rank number 6 GSP in the country for obedience in 2005. Madie is reluctantly working on her third leg to her CDX. Ellie has also obtained her Rally Advanced Title and is working on her Utlity Title. Madie has recceived her Rally Novice title and she has been busy in other venues, getting her Novice agility and Novice agility jumpers titles with 3 shows and 3 double Q's. Madie has also been busy in the hunting field competeing for her Junior Hunt title. The youngest addition Twister has already started training in obedience and agility and will be entering the hunt competitions in the fall. In the spare time she has, Kim is president of Illinois Shorthair Rescue. She and her husband can be found having more than their share of foster GSP's.

AMY GAYLE

For as long as I can remember, I've always had a dog. I originally came to B.C. in 1996 to train my new Doberman puppy. I returned to B.C. in 2004 after my loyal companion passed away and I contacted Cathie to see if she could assist me in finding a new puppy. Fortunately for me she still had three 11 week old pups that needed homes. She matched me up with the perfect one. I've been training with "Zoe" my beautiful Doberman for 2 years and am so pleased with the results of our time spent at B.C. that we have become assistant trainers and have also added another doberman "Zuma" (again thanks to Cathie) to our household. Zoe has earned her (Good Canine Citizen) and TDI (Therapy Dog International) certificates and Zuma will soon follow.

 

STANLEY J. MATSUMOTO

Stan Matsumoto has been in the sport of purebred dogs for over 35 years, 28 of those years as a professional handler. He has bred champion English Springer Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Silky Terriers and Pomeranians. As a professional handler he has campaigned dogs from all 7 groups, many of which ended up nationally ranked in the top 5 of that breed system. Stan has been a member of the dog Handlers Guild since 1985. Stan Matsumoto has judged numerous sweepstakes assignments for both specialty clubs and well as all-breed clubs. Stan has been conducting handling/conformation classes at BC Dog Training since 1991 and in the past 2 years has started a new class in Schiller Park.

KATIE MONTERASTELLA

I started training my Gt. Schnauzer/Aussie Mix Breed as a puppy way back in 1998. His name is “Buster” and he is now 8, had done a little Agility, got a Novice UKC title, and CGC/TDI. He, of course, is now retired due to torn cruciates in his rear knees. Next, “Coach” or “Cochise” came into my life in February 2000, as a rescued, half-starved red Doberman that there was no foster home for, so Cathie Sabin talked me into taking him home. Well, to make a long story short, the BIG ADOPTION DAY came and I brought him to see his new people, but, after tears and tears and more tears, I decided, right at the witching hour, that I could never part with him. The day he leaves me will be the saddest day of my life. Cochise has achieved his Novice CD, CGC/TDI and WAC Aptitude Certificate. He is also a great puppy aide instructor! If you were ever apprehensive regarding Dobermans, you would not be after meeting Coach.

Around this same time, I was asked to help assist with obedience classes. I aided both puppy and beginners levels. Before long, as my dogs progressed, so did my teaching skills. Beyond Puppy, Advanced I and II followed, although I only shadow Cathie’s understanding, I am always what I consider in a learning mode. Having had a little ‘Doberman’ experience, and handling puppies, Champion Heartbreaker, (Breaker, one of Cathie’s Dobes), was fathering some pups, and I gave in and got a black and rust girl whom you may know as “Missy, or CasaRhy’s Heart’s Desire”. She excels in obedience and …bad me….I should have titled her by now, as she is progressing faster than I am…..(old age factor?)

I also have a rescued Macaw named Shadow who is 10 years old that Cathie took into rescue, I agreed to foster and now, truth have it, I am a failed foster. They live to be around 100 possibly…and you will be able to converse with him if I bring him to the store. He is a real character. Also in my home is a 21 year old cat, cockatiels and love birds. Besides all of these animals, I have 3 children. Two are in college, and one will be a senior in high school.

I love to talk about obedience training, dogs, help people, if you call, be aware that I can probably talk your head off. I handle office stuff, daycare stuff, training stuff, etc. So please, just say hello and I will take it from there. I will love meeting you!

 

IRA PERLMUTTER

Coming Soon

 

KATHY PESCHMAN

Coming Soon

 

DIANE REUSKIN

Diane has been with B.C. Dog Training for 4 years. Not only does she work in the daycare area but she knows the office details like the back of her hand. She can help you sign up for a class, help with training equipment, and help you through issues with your dog, though if it is beyond her capacity, she will refer the call to an trainer. Diane volunteers at Lake County Animal Control and Save-A-Pet, and fosters occasionally for the rescues that are involved at B.C. She lives with a German Shephard Dog (Shadow) and a Pit Bull mix (Tiffany).

 

LEAH ROGERS

My name is Leah and for the past 10 years I have been training my dogs and teaching owners and their dogs how to be good partners in life. When I started coming to BC for classes with my 1st Doberman, Gracie, I was very active in competitive AKC and UKC obedience. She went on to receive her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate, her TDI (Therapy Dog) license. She also received her CD (Companion Dog) and CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) titles. My second Doberman, Bruno, was a rescued male with some dog aggression issues. Cathie Sabin was an integral part of his behavioral rehabilitation so much so he was able to obtain his CGC and TDI certificates as well. My third Doberman, Diva, I am pleased and proud to say was bred by Cathie. She also received her CGC, TDI, CD, and CDX titles. She also holds a WAC (Working Aptitude Certificate).

While I have since lost Gracie and Bruno, Diva still remains the matriarch to a whole new "pack" of dogs; Pearl and Sangria, both rescued Dobermans from the Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus program, for which I am also an active volunteer. And, Jack, a Dogue de Bordeaux, who has CGC and TDI certificates. One, two, three, or sometimes even all of us, can be found every Saturday co-teaching the 8:30AM puppy classes with Kevin and Mikey.

 

RICH SCHOLZ

My whole life has revolved around raising German Shepherds and Rottweilers with a couple of other breeds thrown into the mix. About fifteen years ago I decided to get involved in personal protection training. I mentored under Gene Sacco who was the head trainer for the Cook County Sheriff''s Department Canine Unit. After many years of training with the department, Cathie invited us to train at BC were we ran her Bad Dog Boot Camp, Street Obedience and Person Protection Classes successfully for many years. I stepped away from canine work for a few years as life began to get busier for me. Eight months ago my passion for training dogs was rekindled. My nephew Joey is now working as a decoy with me, working with private clients and police dogs. We are now both back at BC and ready to help dogs with issues and people that want to work their dogs in protection work. Our classes are geared toward obedience training and teaching the owners how to handle their dogs in a real street situation. Protection work will only be done with obedient dogs and responsible owners. Stop by some Sunday morning to meet us and watch our class any time.

 

KEVIN SHAPIN

I have been training at B.C. 2003. My adopted Doberman from Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus, Mikey was returned to the rescue by another family because he was too much for them to handle. When I adopted him it was suggested that we enroll at B.C. so that I could learn what to expect from Mikey and he in turn would learn what I expected from him. Since training at B. C. Mikey has received his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Certificate and his TDI (Therapy Dog International) license. We continued classes and after talking with the Cathie Sabin one day it was decided that I would start assisting in classes and then eventually become an instructor. In the past I have taught grammar school and junior high school, so with my education outside of B.C. and with what I have learned from B.C. I am proud to say that my co-teacher Leah and I have taught many people and their puppies how to interact with each other in the best ways possible. Mikey went from "out of control" to representative of IDR+ at the Chicagoland Family Pet Show and has been my demo dog for every class I have instructed here at B.C. I have since adopted two more dogs from Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus and I am continuing to come back to B.C. as a student as well. We should never stop learning, and neither should our dogs. I look forward to meeting you and your family here at B.C.