Our story begins over 30 years ago with Dee Dee Anderson enrolling in her first Obedience class with a very large 6-month-old German shepherd mix named Taku. Despite being told that she was too young to train, Dee Dee persevered and trained Taku. They attended their first Obedience match and the world of dog Obedience opened up to Dee Dee. As the saying goes, “She was bitten by the Obedience bug!”
July 1976. Dee Dee Anderson and Taku.
Golden retriever Nuggett was Dee Dee’s next dog. A trainer ahead of her time, Dee Dee realized that only positive training approaches would work for this dog. Dee Dee was soon teaching the instructors and their students an alternative approach! Dee Dee had the gift of understanding how dogs think, of “getting into a dog’s head.” She had gentle hands that could heel any dog. Nuggett, Dee Dee’s Novice A dog, would go on to earn an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH).
1980. Nuggett and Dee Dee Anderson win High in Match. Photo by Cook.
Billy is equally enthusiastic and passionate about dog training. Despite working full time at a high tech job and helping raise a busy family, Billy found time to successfully campaign his own and clients’ dogs.
1990. Bill Anderson and Cher win High in Trial. Photo by Carol.
He left his job to teach and handle dogs full time in 2004. Dee Dee became an AKC Obedience and Rally judge in 2005.
Dee Dee and Billy’s dogs have placed many times on the list of top 25 obedience dogs in the country by OTCH points – at times having more than one dog acknowledged. Tess won the Gaines Super Dog classic earning the title of most obedient dog in the country in 1985. Dream and Dee Dee won the AKC National Obedience Invitational in 2007, again taking home the title of most obedient dog in the country. Dream was 2nd runner up at the 2011 AKC National Obedience Invitational held in Florida. Sliver won the 2015 Rally National. Together the Andersons have trained and handled over 80 dogs to the following:
- 55 (CD) Companion Dog
- 35 (CDX) Companion Dog Excellent
- 15 (UD) Utility Dog
- 38 (UDX) Utility Dog Excellent
- 1 OGM
- 10 (OTCH) Obedience Trial Champion
- 6699 OTCH Points
- 395 High In Trials
- 313 High Combineds
- 42 Perfect 200 Scores
- 90 (RN, RA, RE) Rally titles
- 21 Dog World Awards
- Multiple Obedience Hall of Fame Awards
- Multiple top 10 Obedience Golden Retriever in the country awards
- Multiple top 25 All Breed Obedience dog in the country awards
- Winner 2007 AKC National Obedience Invitational (NOC)
- Winner 2015 Rally National (RNC)
- Multiple Gaines placements
- Winner 1985 Gaines Super Dog Classic
- Multiple Front & Finish Awards
- 19 (TD) Tracking Dog
- 7 (TDX) Tracking Dog Excellent
- 61 Agility titles
- 11 (JH) Junior Hunter
- 2 (SH) Senior Hunter
- 16 (WC/WCX) GRCA Working Certificate Titles
Dee Dee and Bill Anderson with dogs in training.
Dee Dee and Billy are lifetime members of the NORCAL Golden Retriever Club in recognition of promoting obedience in their home club. They have won numerous awards given by the NORCAL GRC and the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) for their obedience accomplishments. The Andersons are also AKC breeders of merit.
Our program…
Canine and human students working with Dee Dee and Billy experience a program built upon a strong foundation of sequential skills developed uniquely for them. No two dog/human teams are alike! With over 30 years of hands-on experience, the Andersons have a clear understanding of how dogs learn. Canines are confident and happy when challenged by appropriate next steps; confusion and frustration are avoided by wisely choosing appropriate next steps. Yes, Dee Dee and Billy have been known to wake up in the middle of the night with just the right solution for a particular dog! The Andersons are also ever cognizant of individual breeds and specific instincts evident in herding, carting, lure coursing, water trails, go to ground trials, Schutzhund, search and rescue, and pointer and retriever events.
Our students…
We couldn’t be more proud of our students and their accomplishments which continue to validate our teaching and training program. We support our students in achieving their goals—many reach amazing levels in a variety of venues! Most importantly we are proudest of the lively, happy, well-schooled dogs presented in the ring. Our students have earned the following Obedience titles and awards. Go to Summary of Student’s Accomplishments
- 221 (CD) Companion Dog
- 176 (CDX) Companion Dog Excellent
- 141 (UD) Utility Dog
- 158 (UDX) Utility Dog Excellent
- 125 (OM) Obedience Master
- 4 (OGM) Obedience Grand Master
- 45 (OTCH) Obedience Trial Champion
- 387 Rally Titles
- 300+ Other AKC titles (Agility, Tracking, etc.)
- Multiple High In Trials
- Multiple High Combineds
- Multiple perfect 200 scores
- Multiple top 25 All Breed Obedience dog in the country
- Multiple AKC National Obedience Invitational Invitees
- Multiple Group placements at the AKC Obedience Invitational
- Multiple Front & Finish Awards
- Multiple National Specialties High In Trials and High Combineds
4/28/2012. DD’s Dog Training students. Photo by Chris Anderson.