Don Abney has owned and handled dogs most of his life. His father, who presented him with his first dog when he was eight years old, taught his early training. That dog, Skippy, was a wild dog that had been captured during a rabbit hunting expedition. Don was aided in teaching this dog to sit, lie down, shake hands, beg, wait while food was being dispensed, and ride in a wagon or on a three-wheeled bike with him. From there, dog training appeared nothing more than a game.
Years later, it was realized there was a talent for handling dogs, and Don began instructing professionally. Don is in high demand for his talent as a speaker and instructor at seminars covering topics such as Obedience Training, Tracker Training, Search and Rescue Dogs, Scent Work (all facets) and Behavior Problems. He has lectured on the subjects of Canine Training, Canine Tracking, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, How to Greet a Strange dog, and the Hug-A-Tree and Survive program, and has provided numerous demonstrations with his SAR Dog, Ladyhawke.
- Master Trainer in Obedience, Tracking, Hunting, Search & Rescue and Detector Dogs since 1980.
- Court Certified Expert in the field of Canine Training & Tracking through the Criminal District Courts of New Orleans, Louisiana - December 10, 1998 by Judge Julian Parker.
- UKC Conformation & Junior Showmanship Judge #6550
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
- Licensed Researcher by the Drug Enforcement Agency since 1992.
- Studies in Dog Psychology, Animal Behavior, Breeding & Genetics, and Canine Nutrition and Health Care.
- Trained and experienced in handling Dangerous, Vicious and Nuisance Animals since 1994, with a commendation from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office.
- Founding member and trainer of Louisiana Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc. 1989-1996.
- Member of the National Association of Search and Rescue 1989-2000
- Retired Lieutenant with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Division.
- Owner, Handler, and Trainer of Ladyhawke, the First registered Louisiana Catahoula certified in Search and Rescue, and Narcotics Detection to be commisioned by Law Enforcement, and receive the "Service Champion Award" for outstanding work in Community Service, presented by the National Association of Louisiana Catahoulas (NALC).
- Recipient of the Excellence in Training award presented by Sigma Chemical Corporation.
- Author of The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, a book on the history, breeding and care of Louisiana Catahoulas.
- Certified breeder of registered Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dogs since 1985 (NALC).
- President of the American Catahoula Association.
- Vice President of the Great Southern Kennel Club, a United Kennel Club organization.
- President of the Catahoula Owners, Breeders, and Research Association (COBRA)
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 This Weekend At UKC
Grand American - Orangeburg, South Carolina. The January 1st opening ceremonies of Grand American mark the traditional start of the coonhound year! The first big competition event of 2009 will take place this weekend, with nite hunts and bench shows, the exciting start of a new Purina race, and of course great food, entertainment and fellowship. Head to the fairgrounds in Orangeburg this weekend to ring in the coonhound New Year!
Find an event in your area. 
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Of the six breeds of UKC registered Coonhounds, only the Plott Hound doesn’t trace its ancestry to the foxhound; and of the breeds, we can be most certain of the Plott’s heritage and the men most responsible for its development.
The ancestors of today’s Plott were used for boar hunting in Germany many years ago. Jonathon Plott left his native Germany and came to this country in 1750. For the rest of the story behind the modern Plott Hound, follow this link. |
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Read more about UKC's many dog breeds here. |
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