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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 Recent News At UKC
11/02/2009: November 2009 Employee of the Month Andrew Johnson Customer Service Representative Andrew has worked at UKC a little over three years, since August of 2006. He is currently working full time and attending college, his goal being a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He graduated from Portage (Michigan) Northern High School in 2005, and is... Read more here. 
News Archive. |
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This Weekend At UKC
The Gem City Dog Obedience Club of Dayton, Ohio is hosting their first set of Conformation shows November 7 and 8 at the Gem City Training Building (More Information).
Find an event in your area.
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One of UKC's most widely registered breeds, the Treeing Walker was developed from certain strains of English Walker Foxhounds. Walkers were first registered with UKC as part of the English Coonhound breed. Then in 1945, at the request of Walker breeders, UKC began registering them as a separate breed — first as Walkers (Treeing) and then later as Treeing Walkers. |
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Read more about UKC's many dog breeds here. |
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