Petra Ford, Faculty
Main info
I have been training and competing for several decades in a variety of sports including Hunt Tests, Field Trials, Nosework, Agility and Rally. My first love has always been competition obedience. I have been fortunate to win the AKC National Obedience Championship four times with three different dogs. All my dogs have earned placements at Nationals. My dog Tyler won the World Cup and was First-Runner Up. All my current dogs have earned OTCH’s, multiple High-In-Trial and High-Combined awards, wins and placements at Regionals, as well as numerous perfect 200 scores.
I find training endlessly fascinating. Figuring out how to be a better communicator with each of my dogs is a never-ending challenge that I whole heartedly embrace. I love solving training puzzles. It’s what has kept me in the sport for so many years. I especially love the incredible relationship developed with my dogs through training and competition.
Although not currently practicing, I am a Physical Therapist and a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. These days I’m an instructor at FDSA and own a Boarding Kennel. I’m passionate about teaching and sharing what I have learned over the years. Watching students grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding.
In my spare time I love hiking and playing with the dogs, running, practicing yoga, meditating and spending time with friends. I enjoy writing blogs and working with my friend Laurie on our Canine Connection Podcast.
Petra Ford's current and upcoming courses
OB375 Enhanced Engagement - Building Competition Skills
Most dogs know how to do the exercises. They even have a foundation in engagement. But when they compete, things often fall apart. Competition requires another level of engagement. Dogs must maintain engagement while performing a complex series of behavior chains. Many distractions at trials are unpredictable and cannot be replicated in training. It’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality.
OB215 Competition Heeling Fundamentals
Great heeling is a pleasure to watch. Dog and handler moving together as one. The dog is happy, animated, joyful and confident. Heeling is a dance that should express joy and teamwork. How do you accomplish that? Great fundamentals! Heeling is a complex behavior chain incorporating focal point, position and engagement. I break heeling down into pieces that will make sense to you AND your dog. Each piece is taught as a fun trick. With clear communication and consistent criteria your dog will enjoy learning how to heel. We will work on handling to ensure you are being the best possible partner for your dog. We will start with straight line heeling and add the foundation for halts and turns. Whether your dog is learning how to heel or knows how to heel and has some holes, this course is for you.
Why choose us?
We offer a variety of online training solutions designed to help you and your furry friend achieve success
Our testimonials
Don't just take our word for it — see what our clients say about their experience working with us.
This was my first Fenzi course. I really enjoyed it and definitely thought I got my money's worth. Will definitely be signing up for more courses in the future. Also really enjoyed the instructor -- she was knowledgeable and did a great job. Thank-you! I've taken a class ever since the academy opened and I plan on taking a class every session - even if it is like this session where I am so busy with other things I can't take full advantage. I can always go back and re-look at the lessons and that is worth the low price I pay. Once again Fenzi Dog Sports Academy hits a home run! Fantastic content, great instructor! I learned a ton and can't wait for more. The Fenzi Academy has opened up a whole new world for me. I'm learning things I didn't even know I needed to know and I'm realizing why I've struggled in the past. Each course is jammed full with great information and the instructors are top notch. This is a learning journey for me and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Read all testimonialsA great course - so worthwhile for teams at all different levels. Even at bronze I found it to be fantastic. It felt like it was personal instruction for me - for both of my dogs, each very different. Taking courses from the Fenzi Academy gives you a chance to "work" with many different highly skilled/positive instructors and even today it isn't easy to find that many trainers who are primarily positive at competition levels. I feel like I come away with a new skills or insights from each class I take (4 so far).
Read all testimonialsIncredibly informative and helpful class. I am a crossover student, with 35 yrs experience training the "traditional" way. This is a challenge for me! But I have seen significant improvement in my dog's problem areas, so I am now committed to learning these training techniques; I'm starting over with her, having lots of fun and learning new things as fast as I can keep the clicker going! I have high expectations for achieving all of my performance goals using the Fenzi Academy to help me get there. I can't wait for my next class!! Really enjoyed the course! I'm still catching up, but am already looking forward to the next class. So useful, especially if you don't have a really good positive methods trainer where you live!! Helped my dog revive his enthusiasm for working.
Read all testimonials