Our Instructors

Kathy Blink
Cathy Dutra
Noelle Pilat
Reena Walton

Kathy Blink

Cathy Dutra

Cathy has trained a variety of dogs over the past 20 years and has learned from each dog. She realized early on that training techniques need to be adjusted to the individual dog and handler team.  When she meets a new class each September, she tries to evaluate each individual team so she can help them improve.  She enjoys watching the progress and cheering the success that comes from the hard work that is put into the training. At this moment she is training a Sheltie, English Cocker and Papillon and goes through the same trial and error in my training as do the students in class.  

"Each dog has their individual challenges and this keeps me thinking of ways to improve their performances."

She tries to attend as many training seminars as she can so she can bring the information back to her classes.  She became an Obedience Judge 13 years ago and has enjoyed this immensely.  When Rally was introduced, she applied to judge that as well and have been approved for all levels.

Noelle Pilat

As with many other dog-people, I moved into obedience training from the world of equestrian competition – trail and endurance riding. I completed the Tevis 24 hour, 100 Mile Ride from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Later, I competed in multi-day competitive trail rides. I am still active in the horse world.

A friend introduced me to confirmation, field and obedience with her Champion Weimaraners. Within a year I had adopted my first Doberman Pinscher. Dusty managed to earn her Utility degree while I was learning both the rules of the sport and how to train. We even managed to earn High In Trial at a Specialty from Novice A!

The same friend helped me find my second Dobe, Valkyrie. Valkyrie earned multiple HIT’s in the United States and Canada and competed in Gaines competitions. She earned her final two HIT’s during one weekend at the age of 11. She was the epitome of the dog described in the Obedience Regulations Purpose – “…emphasize the usefulness of the purebred dog as a companion to man … trained to behave in the home, in public places and in the presence of others dogs…”

My next competition dog was a Pomeranian, Bubba. He was quite a challenge, very opinionated. We came to a mutual agreement – he would work nicely if he felt like it. I would continue to try to figure out how to entice him to work! He also earned multiple HIT’s and competed at Regional and Classic Gaines levels.

I always have a Dobe in the household but changed my little dog breed to Papillon when I decided to try Agility. Poppy took to agility instantly. She earned both her Masters titles during her second year of competition. We took a little time out for her to earn her CD in one three-trial weekend including a HIT.                                   

Reena Walton

Reena Walton has been teaching dog obedience classes on the peninsula for 21 years. She has taught for a variety of organizations during that time, including San Bruno Dog Obedience School and Dog Days as well as Skyline Dog Fanciers and Belmont Parks and Recreation, and several other locations. She has been a Professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers for many years. She has owned a variety of breeds, but is especially fond of Shetland Sheepdogs and has had 4 Shelties over the years.

Currently she has a mother- daughter team of Shelties, Mariah ( Ch. Hillstone They Call The Wind, CDX,RN,AX,AXJ), and her daughter Libby (Rubicon Liberty Belle, CD,RN,OA,OAJ). She competes with her shelties in obedience trials, rally trials, agility trials, and has many titles on them, as well as past dogs.

She also has participated in pet assisted therapy with 3 dogs and was a Delta Society Pet Partners and Therapy Dogs Incorporated member. She was also an evaluator for Therapy Dogs, Inc. She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and specializes in puppy education classes. Reena has attended many dog training seminars and workshops over the years, and keeps current on new methods of training dogs.