Melissa Chandler, Faculty (Nosework)

Melissa Chandler (she/her) lives in Ohio and is owned by her Weimaraner and Vizsla. Melissa has been addicted to dog sports since starting in 4H and AKC Jr. Showmanship. She has competed in conformation, agility, obedience, hunt tests, nose work, and rally. She has also successfully trained and handled non-owned dogs to many titles and championships.

Melissa’s Weimaraner, Edge, was so excited about nose work she sought to learn everything she could to give him the best foundation and build his confidence and drive. Melissa and Edge trained with FDSA since the very first nose work class and never looked back! Edge stressed down and was very fragile, but through Amy Cook’s Bogeyman class and drive building games, Edge gained confidence in ways never imagined, allowing him to be a very successful NW competitor. They earned their NW1, NW2 and NW3 with many placements including overall trial placements. They also earned their NW3 title in their very first trial! And another NW3 in their second trial. Both with placements and multiple "Ps"!! Melissa attended many nose work seminars and volunteered at many trials, allowing her to expand her knowledge and gain different aspects of the sport. She now teaches classes locally and presents seminars, including Nose Work Games!

Melissa has been competitive in agility for many years. She owned 2 of the 3 ADCH Weimaraners and the only USDAA Metallic Champion Weim. She has also bred/trained/handled the #1 Weim in agility (AKC/Weimaraner Club of America) for many consecutive years and placed 10^th at AKC Agility Nationals. She has earned a CDX on two different dogs and trained Edge through Utility, but he indicated that nose work was his passion. Bam!, her young vizsla, is just starting his agility career, is training for nose work, obedience competition and has been very successful in the field.

Melissa was doing parkour before “parkour” even existed. She and her Weims have always loved playing on playgrounds and enjoyed playing in and on things, especially in wooded areas. Her love of agility and love of outdoors is a great combination for parkour.

Melissa’s strengths are problem solving by looking outside the box and working with soft dogs. She enjoys helping others and brainstorming to help other teams succeed. She has taught private lessons in agility and nose work, focusing on solving specific training problems. Owning and working with soft dogs has given her the ability to coach others to help build confidence and setting up training sessions specifically with soft dogs in mind.

Pronouns: Melissa goes by she/her.