Welcome, Allysa, Abby and Knox

Welcome to the wonderful world of KMODT, Allysa. I'm so excited for you, Knox and Abby as you begin this new adventure!!

My name is Mary. I was born, raised and lived in Southern California up until spring 2021. As a retired couple, my husband and I were looking for a place to live with a slower pace, less congestion and more affordability than California. Through a friend, we discovered this little gem of a city. We absolutely love living in Richfield. It is so beautiful here. We have the valley, the mountains, the sky, wide open spaces and actually experience four seasons, something we did not have living in California. Every day I wake up, I am so thankful to be here.

    I met Roxanne Lee at the church we attend shortly after we moved here. One Sunday morning she asked if I wanted to go hiking with her. Hiking is something I had not done very often up to that point, but I figured I could handle it so I agreed to go with her. We met up and went up a trail called Kiln-It. It was not an easy trail but I survived! That was the  day I was introduced to her pack. I was so impressed at the way they ran off leash, ventured out but came back when called. I appreciated how well trained they were but I had no intention of getting a dog....ever! I thought I'd just enjoy going out with her and her dogs and that would be that.

Then it happened. In January 2022, Roxanne asked if I'd be available to help her with a Puppy Aptitude and Temperament Testing (PATT) on a litter of Mini Aussie doodle pups, a female and 2 males.  I told her I'd be happy to help out. I'd get to be around some cute little puppies for awhile then go home. After the test, there was playtime with the puppies. I was drawn to the female, at that time known as "Fat Amy". She was adorable, friendly and energetic. That little dog changed my heart. A week later my husband and I brought her home and renamed her Molly. 

Shortly after we took Molly in, I began the Mannerly Puppy course with Roxanne. After we graduated from that course, we moved on to the Dog Obedience 1st Foundation Course. It was a challenge to say the least but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Through the course of the training, a bond of trust and relationship was built between Molly and I. Molly knows obedience is an expectation  and she has been trained to respond to commands. She is a joy because of her obedience training…not a source of frustration as so many untrained dogs can be for their owners. When we visit relatives who have untrained dogs, they are impressed with Molly and turn to their dogs and say, "Why can't you be more like her?" 

 After the Foundation Course, we moved on to the Retrieve Course that builds on the Foundation Course and deepens the bond of trust between the dog and the handler. Then we went on to PPP (Polish, Precision, Poise) to finesse the skills previously learned with obedience as the firm foundation. With all the training under my belt, I decided to do something I NEVER dreamed I'd do. I entered a few AKC obedience and rally trials last year. I had built up some confidence through the year of working with Roxanne and Jessi, but moreover I had more confidence in the training than in myself!! Last year Molly earned her Beginner Novice, Novice, Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate and her CD (Companion Dog). It's a lot of fun. I'm not in it to win it but to demonstrate how Molly and I work as team.

In July of this year (2024) another dog joined our family.  She’s a mini American Shepherd named Ellie. We went through and graduated from the Mannerly Puppy course and we are now going through the Foundation Course. It’s challenging but not as overwhelming as it was the first time I went through it with Molly. Roxanne and her training team are so helpful, patient and supportive. I appreciate each one of them.

Here’s our Ellie!

As I write this, Molly is injured. She can’t put much weight on her bad leg so she’s on light duty. I never thought about how important this training is but when your dog is injured you realize it’s critical. Though I can’t work her much, she still responds to commands when given. For instance, she is restricted from using the stairs so she knows when I say “wait” it means wait, do not move. I then tell her hup and she positions herself so I can pick her up to carry her up or down the stairs. I am ever so grateful for the training. 

I hope you get as much out of this training as I did. I have to be honest. There were times I wanted to quit. I got frustrated, I cried, but Roxanne and Jessi helped me work through those times of breakdown. They help you so you can help your dog. You will also find there is a wonderful "dog community". There will be other people at your lessons who have already gone through the training. I'll be a part of that. We are here to help. If you need help with taking a video of one of your lessons or an exam, if you need a distraction or if you just need some encouragement, please let me know.

    Once again, WELCOME! Enjoy the ride!! Glad to have you with us!

Molly doesn’t quite know what to think of Ellie. Sometimes neither do I 🤣

They get along really well….when they’re asleep!