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Karen D’Augusta, Owner and Lead Trainer
Karen is actively involved in the sport of Dog Agility, Conformation, Obedience, and Rally. She has trained, exhibited, bred, and judged dogs for over 30 years.
Karen is a licensed American Kennel Club Judge for all Obedience and Rally Classes. Karen previously Judged AKC Agility and was invited to perform the Agility demo at the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at the Cow Palace for ten consecutive years.
Karen started early in life training dogs in 4H with her first dog, a Shetland Sheepdog, Tiny Lady CDX. She trained with Canine Caper 4H Club in Littleton, CO for about eight years. She actively participated in different classes, including Obedience, Jr. Showmanship, Trick and Costume.
In her years of teaching agility, obedience, and rally, Karen has managed to find time to train and show her dogs. She has completed many titles with two different breeds of dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs and Shetland Sheepdogs. These titles included a MACH, MX, MXJ, UD, RE and a Courier Water Dog title, as well as many other titles.
Karen has also bred Portuguese Water Dogs and Shetland Sheepdog that have completed their Championships and Grand Championships.
Karen bred and showed her Sheltie, CH TopnOTCH Conrad by George UD to his CH/UD. He was the 99th Sheltie to receive both a Championship and Utility Obedience title.
Karen is a member of the Portuguese Water Club of America and the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Northern California.
Karen actively participates in the American Shetland Sheepdog Associations, where she was a Board Member for a two-year term. She is also a member of the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California and was past president for three years.
Need A Training Plan?
Each training plan is individualized to suit your needs and the dog.
Do you want the best-behaved family pet and companion or are you planning to show your dog in an AKC competition (i.e. Conformation, Companion Sports, Performance Sports and much more).
Our training plans range from basic to advanced disciplines.
Linda Tidwell, Trainer
Linda has been training dogs for over 30 years and has had Golden Retrievers for nearly as long. Linda has trained her dogs in Obedience, Agility, AKC Hunt Tests, & GRCA Working Certificate Tests and has been with Topnotch for 18 years.
Kim Norton, Registration Administrator
Kim has been working with dogs all of her life. At the age of 10 trained in Junior Showmanship, Kim has not only trained her Golden Retrievers but other breeds as well in Obedience, Agility, Rally, and Conformation.