Beth Smith
& Hauser Rockstar
Beth Smith
& Hauser Rockstar
About me
I am an enthusiastic agility competitor with over 22 years of experience training and running my own dogs.
For the last seven years I have instructed and coached many different breeds of dogs and their varied handlers for Sirius Dog Agility Training Center in Tucker, GA.
My Training Philosophy
I believe in allowing dogs to have a choice in their training. The secret to being a successful trainer is finding and applying the appropriate motiviation for each dog. Building a strong working relationship with a dog is essential to creating a happy and successful dog / handler team.
My role as an instructor and coach is to assist in training the dogs but, more importantly, to help the handler build, maintain and reinforce their working relationship with their dog by providing insight, feedback and techinical instruction.
My Agility Experience with My Dogs
Bocephus, mixed breed
I started agility in 1998 when training methods were very different. We were never very successful in agility but he taught me so much about dogs and training in general. Bocephus competed in USDAA, NADAC, ASCA and CPE.
Mocha, labrador retriever, chocolate
When I adopted Mocha in 2003 I hit the jackpot. Mocha was a fabulous dog and a wonderful teammate. With her, we earned all of the top titles in AKC, USDAA and NADAC and she took me to championship events in four different organizations. Mocha compteted in USDAA, AKC, NADAC, UKI, ASCA and CPE.
Zeta Zu, mixed breed
My next dog, another mixed-breed named Zeta Zu, was a skilled yet squirrely dog who could do agility well but sometimes found it more important to stare at the ceiling. Zeta competed in USDAA, AKC, NADAC, ASCA and UKI.
Hauser, border collie, red merle
My current dog Hauser, named for Croation cellist Stejpan Hauser of the 2 Cellos, is one of the smartest and quickest-learning dogs I’ve ever known. He reads very subtle cues making it sometimes a challenge to be successful with him. He stayed by my side while I went through surgery, chemo and radiation and ran for me in trials during that time, even when I could barely walk a course. Hauser competes in USDAA, AKC, UKI, NADAC and ASCA.
Competitive Organizations
I am always happy to play with my dogs and so have competed in multiple organizations during my agility career. My current focus is mainly USDAA and AKC but I have a good foundation with the majority of US agility.
To learn more about any of the agility programs I’ve competed in, click the name to go to that organization’s website.
A few of my favorite pictures with my best boy, Hauser!
2nd place, Performance Grand Prix at the Southeastern Regional, Perry, GA - June 2022
We were thrilled to share the podium with our good friend Melody Jackson and her BC, Stormy. Melody and I have both had our share of dealings with the evil "C" word and we're still going strong.
One stinking refusal kept us from Qualifying but it couldn't keep us off the podium. It had only been a few months that I was able to run again, and I was so proud of Hauser for giving it his all, despite my slow handling.
2nd place, Performance Grand Prix at the Southeastern Regional, Perry, GA - June 2022
We were thrilled to share the podium with our good friend Melody Jackson and her BC, Stormy.
Melody and I have both had our share of dealings with the evil "C" word and we're still going strong.
One stinking refusal kept us from Qualifying but it couldn't keep us off the podium. It had only been a few months that I was able to run again, and I was so proud of Hauser for giving it his all, despite my slow handling.
Properly executing a blind cross
Ignore my bizarre hair and take notice of the following:
- I did not wait until I was on the other side of my dog to give my cue but began it well before.
- I am moving out of my dog’s path, giving him room to land.
- I have my entire upper body turned back to my dog with my hand out to indicate he should come up on that side.
- My head is turned so I can make contact with my dog.
AKC Masters jumpers - April 2022
Finally able to run again.