About Us > Staff & Trainer Bios
Sue Barnes, Owner/Trainer
In the early 1990's Sue got her first "very own dog", a rottweiler named Bria. This dog was the beginning of a journey and passion that drove Sue to want to learn all she could about the art and skill of dog training. Sue sought out every possible opportunity to attend classes, read books or pick trainers brains. And so the story began......
Sue sought out trainers to spend time with and apprenticed with both pet and hunting dog (pointing dog) trainers in the Dubuque area. A social worker by trade, she appreciated the common importance of consistency, boundaries and communication that are a cornerstone to success in both fields and built on the knowledge and experience she gained to apply it in her dog training.
Sue taught many owners and their dogs in both individual and group class settings at veterinarian offices, pet stores and independent locations. Researching and learning all that she could about the different training tools and techniques, she focused on being a trainer with a balanced approach and making owners successful in training and communicating with their dogs.
In 1999, she was selected as the Animal Control Officer for the City of Dubuque, which brought her even closer to her love of animals and working with people. The opportunity to combine her two worlds, that of Social Work (working with people) and Animal Control (working with dogs and their owners) was a perfect blend to build on her passion and utilize her knowledge of dog behavior and training.
In 2000, Sue took the suggestion of a fellow trainer to attend a Fred Hassen Remote Collar seminar. After two short days at this seminar, Sue's whole view of dog training changed. She embraced an approach that focused on using this tool to communicate in a new way, a way that was fair, humane and clear to a dog when teaching/helping the dog was the focus. The struggle to handle the out of control dog, the run away, the barker.... could all be dealt with much less struggle and without the need for the owner vs dog problems so often encountered in classes. This tool and the information that she gained at this seminar was the beginning of the journey to becoming a true professional dog trainer.
In 2003, Sue began working for That's My Dog!® in a part-time capacity. As a TMD! employee she taught basics and group classes as well as assisted with public demonstrations and promotions. Sue had the the opportunity to instruct trainers from across the country that were attending the No Limitations School and the That's My Dog® E-cademy, during their observation and participation in her classes. She also taught agility classes held at TMD! and has done several agility seminars in Iowa, Wisconsin and New Jersey.
In 2005, Sue and her dog Tanner got their dream of competing in a DockDogs® event when it came to Dubuque for a Regional Championship. After that event, she and Tanner were hooked. Though they did not compete again until 2006, they were passionate about the sport and dedicated to becoming a successful team. Success shined on them in the 2006 season. They had a resume full of placements, personal records and being placed in the World DockDogs® rankings as the #1 GSP and the #25 dog overall. This successful team now offers a Dock Jumping program, TEAM MYTDOG™, that trains and coaches people and dogs of all levels to be successful teams, and the opportunity to train on the regulation TEAM MYTDOG™ dock at a private pond.
In April 2006, Sue launched MYTDOG™ on a full time basis in the Des Moines, IA Area. MYTDOG™ currently serves clients as far away as Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Kamrar, Coon Rapids, Kansas City, the Quad City area and into Illinois. MYTDOG™ is a full service dog training company dedicated to helping owners in all areas of training, whether pet or competition dog.
Some of Sue's memberships, trainings, experience and accomplishments include:
- 2010 DOCKDOGS HALL OF FAME with Tanner.
- Certified Remote Collar Specialist, No Limitations School for Remote Collar Training, Midwest Branch (Now called the That's My Dog!® E-cademy).
- E-collar seminar presenter (agility), class instructor and trainer in Agility, AKC Obedience, Pet Obedience, and Advanced E-collar skills.
- Experienced presenter and educator. She has presented Dog Bite Prevention Programs to hundreds of children and done Responsible Dog Owner Education for people of all ages for the past 7 years.
- Trainer and Handler for FOUR TIME Dockdogs® National Champion, Tanner
- Handler for 2011 Dockdogs National Champion, Junior Divsion, Bella
- 2011 Recipient of "Contributor Award" from WOrld Dockdogs Organization.
- Nominee for National Dockdogs® Sportsperson of the Year, 2007 and 2011
- Dockdogs Sportsperson of the Year Recipient, 2008
- Nationally Certified Animal Control Officer.
- Completed the Level I, II and III National Animal Control Academy.
- Trained and experienced in the handling and management of aggressive behavior in dogs.
- Professional Member of International Assoc. of Canine Professionals (IACP)
