Connie Lentz
Agility and Earthdog Instructor.
Connie has enjoyed the company of dogs ever since she was a young girl, spending hours teaching them tricks, giving them love and gaining their trust. She was an only child so her dogs were her playmates. As you can see from the pictures, Connie had a dog at a very early age and she has yet to live without one! Her fist dog was an all-American that her parents rescued from her from the SPCA. As a teen, she always assumed the responsibility of teaching her dogs how to behave, never realizing obedience classes were available to help her. Before she was out on her own she had two toy Manchester Terriers and a Miniature Schnauzer.
As a young adult and keeping with the theme of change and experiencing new things, Connie purchased a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. What a huge contrast the large retriever was compared to the familiar small terriers! Connie knew she would need guidance to teach her new dog control so together Connie and her Chessie had their first experience with obedience school. And it was a great experience! So much so that she adopted a three-year-old Airedale. After Barkley and Muffin passed over the rainbow bridge, Connie decided after much research and consideration that she would purchase a Wire Fox Terrier puppy.
Soon after Molly was brought home, Connie realized that she would need help controlling this little dog. Every time Connie touched the doorknob, Molly would make a mad dash to the door. Connie quickly enrolled in obedience school—again. Before attending classes with Molly, Connie was unaware of the huge impact this class was going to make on her life.
Learning from experience how important that it is to buy from a responsible breeder, Connie then purchased a Lakeland Terrier puppy named Riley for her daughter, Missy who is also .
After attending classes at the White Rose Obedience Center with Margaret Schrader, Connie was asked if she ever considered doing earthdog with Molly. Connie had never heard of earthdog competitions (tests of short legged terriers natural hunting instinct) so Connie was introduced to Stephanie Capkovic (owner of BVTC). Stephanie took Connie with Molly and Riley to their first earthdog trial and the dogs have been addicted ever since! Molly needs only one more qualifying score to earn the Senior Title and Riley is working on his Master Earthdog Title (the highest level of competition).
Needless to say, once Connie was introduced to Stephanie, agility also became a large part of her life.
Connie has adopted a Giant Schnauzer named Gunter, which she acquired through word of mouth from Stephanie. Connie is doing obedience, agility and freestyle activities with Gunter. Most recently, Connie adopted Gabe (a Smooth Wire Fox Terrier) from the Frederick County Animal Rescue. She will be doing earthdog and agility competitions with Gabe. Her youngest dog, is a Bella Vista Westie named Mercedes. Mercedes competes in both earthdog and agility events.
Connie is a member of the Clean Break Flyball Team where she runs her Granddog Ace. Connie is a founding member of the York County Dog Training Club (YCDTC) and a current YCDTC Board Member. She also belongs to the Wire Fox Terrier Club of America and the Lakeland Terrier Club of America.
As you can see that obedience class with Molly and Margaret opened a whole new world for Connie. She enjoys every minute that she spends with her dogs and all the great times she has with her daughter and her daughter’s dogs. What a great way to spend time with your kids!
Connie sums up her dog experience as saying “dogs certainly do bring much joy, friendship and laughter into your life!”
Connie also shares in the care and training of her “grandpups” Riley (Lakeland Terrier), Ace (Jack Russell Terrier) & Vegas (West Highland White Terrier).
Updated May 16, 2008