Rio

Rio is a 8 year old Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie). He has struggled with fears of strangers (particularly men) and certain sounds (especially fireworks) throughout his life. With careful desensitization with positive reinforcement methods, he is now comfortable enough to go out in public and participate in agility trials.

He is 2 legs from his AD in USDAA, with all legs (including his height measurement) earned under a male judge. In AKC, he has earned his NA, NAJ, OAJ, and 2/3 of his OA. Most recently, he trialled and qualified at the large Louisville cluster - a location that he would not have been able to set foot in 2 years ago, let alone qualify at!