CDTC has a dedicated group of volunteer instructors whose goals are to help you and your canine partner become a great team.  Whether you just want to have a well behaved companion or your goal is competition agility, obedience, rally or scent work we want to help you achieve those goals by providing a positive training environment.

Beth Berg - Family Dog Manners

Hello! I’m a dedicated and experienced trainer who has been working with dogs since I was 10 years old. My passion for animal training extends beyond dogs—I’ve also spent over 30 years training horses and teaching riding lessons in Dressage up to 3rd level and Hunter/Jumpers. As an enthusiastic member, assistant, and instructor at CDTC, I bring a wealth of expertise and a heartfelt commitment to every aspect of our community.

Currently, I’m competing in Rally, I hold trick titles, and I’m training in Agility. I’m an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator, and I teach Manners classes and tricks. I have a special heart for new owners, rescues, and fosters working with rescue dogs, and I’m glad to be a resource for anyone seeking guidance and support.

As the Family Dog Committee Chair, I’m dedicated to developing instructional seminars and building a strong foundation for our training programs. I’m also a member of the team responsible for developing an instructor training program—recruiting and preparing instructors to meet the highest standards for CDTC’s trainers and classes.

Victoria Carey - STAR Puppy

I began my dog training adventure at 12 years old when I got my PBGV puppy and continued through high school by training our golden retriever in obedience and certifying her as a therapy dog. Through the encouragement of the great trainers and mentors at CDTC, I was an assistant in the AKC STAR puppy classes. I enjoyed that so much that I became a Canine Good Citizen evaluator and now have fun teaching the STAR puppy classes! I am also active with the local Therapy Dogs International chapter. Currently, my husband and I enjoy taking obedience, tricks, and agility classes and competing in Fast CAT with our two golden retrievers, Luna and Poppy.  

Carol Collins-Clapp - Open & Utility Obedience

I have rescued dogs my entire adult life, most from the roads, mountains, ditches, most were rehabbed and placed in good homes. A few I kept.  Life changed when I was called to catch a black, male Chow Chow.  Realizing I had an, unpopular, handful of a breed, I started positive training at Petsmart, found CDTC and CCOA, did years of private lessons with Sally Glei and attended every seminar I could find. When LeoLee, the ChowChow, and I received our CGC & I was hooked on training and showing.  We went on to a CD, a TD (tracking), Rally and agility. With his accomplishments and calm demeanor, he began to be called the “Poster dog for ChowChows”.  More rescues, more venues, more intensity followed. Now, with my BC, Zeke, my only “bought” dog, JennieLee, the Aussie, and Ter-Clare, the terror blend, we are training at multiple venues.  My dogs have earned obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking, tricks, and of course, CGC titles. In 2019, I was presented with the Outstanding Instructor Award by CDTC.  I also did in-home dog training for 10 years along with teaching at CCOA and CDTC.  After CCOA closed, we opened a dog training business, Dogs Only, in Concord. Presently, I am doing some private training in advanced obedience skills and teaching my 2 favorite courses in obedience, Open & Utility, at CDTC.

Carol Hamblin - Agility

Carol grew up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia before moving to Charlotte.  Growing up she begin her love of poodles the first were toy poodles. Followed by two miniature poodle rescues which lead her to CDTC for training as well as lots of friends whose friendships have lasted over the years.  While the intention was to take a puppy class she never left and has trained several other dogs over the years.  Currently training Chinese Cresteds.  Over the years her dogs have titled in Obedience, Rally, Fieldwork, Fast Cat, Agility and Scentwork. 

Dawn Heath - Scent Work

Stan Hoffman - Obedience

I started training dogs after retirement from the Army over 20 years ago. I have trained my own dogs and titled in Obedience, Agility, Sent Work, and Rally. My wife and I live on a small farm just outside of York SC, with five dogs, goats, geese, and chickens.

Valerie Licausi - Tricks, CGC

Liz Petko - Pet Classes/Obedience

I have been involved with dog training starting in the 4-H dog program and showing German Shepherds through my teens. I have been a member of CDTC wince 2011 and believe that every dog should have the training and socialization needed to become a valued family member done with positive methods.  I have taught and assisted in pet classes and competition obedience classes.  I have two wonderful dogs, a 9 year old Boxer and a 2 year old Papillon who compete and have titled in obedience, rally, agility and fast CAT.  They also have completed Canine Good Citizen, worked as a Therapy Dog (Boxer) and Trick Dog Titles.  I am also an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator (CGC).

Patricia Ray- Agility

I have been training dogs for many years and I joined CDTC when I became interested in agility. My Clumber Spaniel, Sandy, was the first clumber to obtain an NA/NAJ and the first clumber to get an Excellent Std leg. I have also competed in Conformation, Obedience, FastCAT, Barn Hunt and Rally. I helped with the the pre-agility class for a while before taking over the class several years ago. I now compete in Agility and Rally with Mick, my Vizsla and have a young Vizsla up and coming.

Debbie Sherier - STAR Puppy

Debbie joined Charlotte Dog Training Club in 2011. After titling her two pet collies in Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog International she began volunteering in the AKC Star Puppy   program. At this time Debbie also started to show and breed collies. With mentoring from seasoned trainers at CDTC and personal study she became an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Debbie now conducts AKC Star Puppy classes for all breeds of puppies.  She is active in her breed specialty and believes all puppies can be “stars”.

Monica Swanson - Agility

I started competing in USDAA agility in 2007 with the late great Cookie.  I joined CDTC after the AKC began to allow mixed breeds to register as Canine Partners in 2010.  I volunteer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control, where I found my wonderful Ivy.  She competes at the Masters level in agility and scent work.

Beth Warren - Obedience

I have owned 9 Standard Poodles, 2 Mini Poodles and 8 other breeds of dogs.  I have earned 2 AKC conformation champion titles, 2 AKC utility titles, 6 AKC Open obedience titles and Rally excellent, advanced and novice titles. Three poodles earned hunting certificates from the Poodle Club of America. I own two horses at present.

If I wasn’t showing dogs, I showed my horse in dressage. With my new Standard Poodle, I would like to return to the training ring. 

Lena Skov - Family Dog Manners

I have severe anxiety that prevents me from enjoying competing. I managed to face it after being told that conformation-bred Great Danes cannot be successful in Obedience. My Great Dane, Pinkie:

• In 2007, ranked nationally #4 All-Breed Obedience Novice A dog (Front & Finish). In those days we could compete in Novice A for 3 months. From 06/02/07 to 07/21/07 were accumulated 2,549.5 Obedience points.
• For the most part, Pinkie retired at 3 years of age with a CDX and 4,959.5 Obedience points, RAE and 2,850 Rally points.
• We also traveled 48 weekend and I was able as an owner handler get her to be #17 in the country having won over almost 400 Great Danes.I regret retiring Pinkie without pursuing a Utility title, but I felt we had spent enough time on the road.