PAT HOFFMAN'S Dog Training School

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About Pat Hoffman

Pat Hoffman's love of dogs probably began about the same time as her natural leadership qualities and her desire to be a teacher.  She has owned dogs for 40 years with her husband, Walt, starting out with two Siberian Huskies.  As the pups quickly grew, out of necessity, they were enrolled in obedience classes because Koko and Natasha (as most dogs do) took them for walks, and they wouldn't come when called.  

The classes were helpful but still didn't solve the main problem-coming when called.  Pat and Walt were very afraid that their beloved pets would get killed crossing a road/s since Sibes are great escape artists and most will dash away given any chance.  The other problem of Koko and Natasha's taking them for the walks caused concern about being drug along and falling down, possibly breaking body parts.

So the quest to get the dogs under control went on and on with more classes and more practicing.  FINALLY solutions were found, and the dogs became manageable and much more enjoyable!  Hallellujah!!  In the meantime, Pat and Walt decided to try obedience competition to find out if they could really get these dogs to do specified exercises under distracting conditions.  After many more classes, practicing, mock-up shows (called "matches"), they entered the dogs in real shows and after “trial” and error, they succeeded in earning titles of Companion Dog (C.D.) on each dog; Pat handled Natasha, the more challenging, and Walt handled Koko, who earned his title in three consecutive shows!  Wow!!

By this time, the Hoffmans had purchased a tavern on Route 896 in the Landenberg area (which they operated for 23 years), and after getting it running in an orderly fashion with Walt’s managing it, Pat, still in awe of dog behaviors and learning abilities, and in an effort to learn more, began attending seminars, clinics, workshops, conferences, camps, etc., studying with many of the foremost authorities of the time:  Jack Volhard; Wendy Volhard; Gail Fisher; Max Paris; Job Michael Evans (of the Monks of New Skete); Ian Dunbar, CEO, CAAB, Inc., BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS, PhD, CPDT and founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers of which Pat is a charter member.  Over the years, she has continued her dog education.

Pat decided to do more competition, and bought a Doberman Pinscher, Petra, which made the dog family total seven.  What a difference in training a Dobe-Petra actually wanted to work and please Pat as opposed to "being in business for herself."  After about six months, a Dobe needing a home was heard of, so she, Daka, was rescued, and now Pat had two Dobes to train and show. Both of these "girls" went on to earn the Utility Dog title (the highest obedience title at the time) and Petra also earned a "T" for tracking so became a U.D.T. They were additionally Canine Good Citizens and Therapy Dogs. Daka was working on her "T" at the time of her sudden death-only six years old; she had a heart attack.  Pat was devastated, and sadly several Siberians had passed on theretofore.  Needing another dog, but because of the loss of Daka, another Dobe wasn't a consideration so  the AKC breed book was searched for a similar kind of dog, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback seemed to be the prime prospect.  After going to the Philadelphia Kennel Club Show, which is a benched show with the different breeds on display, and after seeing, meeting and touching the RRs, as well as talking with the owners, Pat was convinced.

Toka, a sweet, wonderful male was found, followed by his dear seven month old littermate, Baila, , then came Doberman, Tracer, and Ridgies, Nile and her "get" or offspring, Albert, Victoria and Rozeta (lovingly called "Pinky" because of the color of her rick rack when she was a whelp or newborn). Pat put another foot forward and went into conformation  competition with Toka, and he became a Champion.  Tracer was next, and he too became a Champion, was specialed (shown against other Champions and won six Best of Breeds) and twelve years ago, at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden, he was shown by Pat-all the dogs were always owner-handled.  In their travels, both Toka and Tracer, as Therapy Dogs, had the privilege of flying in the CABINS of airplanes:  Toka to Boston, Martha's Vineyard, Denver and El Paso, and Tracer to San Diego, Portland, Minneapolis and Houston, and he had his paws in the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River and the Gulf of Mexico!!

The Hoffmans' dog accomplishments (owner trained and handled)*:

 

Koko (Siberian Husky)...Companion Dog

 

Natasha (Siberian Husky)...Companion Dog

 

Petra (Doberman Pinscher)...Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Utility Dog, Tracking Dog, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog, Temperament Tested, Working Aptitude Certified, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Daka (Rescued Doberman Pinscher)...Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Utility Dog, Canine Good Citizen,  Therapy Dog, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Toka (Rhodesian Ridgeback)...Conformation Champion, Companion Dog, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog, Temperament Tested, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Tracer (Doberman Pinscher)...Conformation Champion, Companion Dog, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog, Temperament Tested, Working Aptitude Certified, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events  (Tracer was shown against conformation champions or “specialed” in this very competitive venue and won 6 Best of Breeds-he was also shown by Pat at the Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden in 1997)

 

Nile (Rhodesian Ridgeback)...Conformation Champion, Companion Dog, Senior Courser, American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) Field Champion, Canine Good Citizen,  Therapy Dog, Versatility Certified, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Posy (Doberman Pinscher)...Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Therapy Dog,      Demonstration Dog for Classses and Events

 

Albert (Rhodesian Ridgeback)... (AKC) Field Champion (he finished in four consecutive trials), Master Courser, ASFA Field Champion, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Victoria (Rhodesian Ridgeback)...Conformation Champion, Master Courser, Demonstration Dog for Classes and Events

 

Pinky (Rhodesian Ridgeback)...Senior Courser and ran Best In Field (by elimination, she beat every sighthound at the lure coursing trial), Demonstration Dog for Classes

 

Otea, “Oh-tee-ah” means 'a dream' in Swahili,(Rhodesian Ridgeback)...Conformation Champion (in less than 6 months), Field Champion (she finished in three consecutive trials);  she too ran Best In Field!  She also has five points towards the Lure Courser of Merit title.  She is a Demonstration Dog in Classes and Events and is currently working in competitive obedience training.  Her name is “BIF, DC Shadyridge Saba's Otea Hofala”

 

*While it is understood that the above information may not be of particular interest to the pet owner, these successes attest to the the diversified abilities of Pat to assure the benefits of her broad knowledge when she is teaching you and your dog.

√Nile has whelped four litters of 11, 12 and 10 and 9 puppies; all puppies were beautiful and smart with great behavior.  She has health clearances on hips, elbows, heart, thyroid, eyes and ears, and, of course, her temperament is wonderful. 

∆Victoria just whelped her first litter on 2/20/08.  She had 8 puppies:  1 female followed by 7 males.  All are thriving and are amazing to watch. We expect that they will be lovely with wonderful temperaments.  She has had her  thyroid, eyes and heart tested, and is in the process of getting more health clearances.

Since 1968, Pat has operated her own business serving the Greater Newark, Wilmington and Elkton areas, successfully helping thousands of dogs and their owners.  With her dogs, Pat has appeared on TV numerous times, has done radio programs, and has given presentations for organizations such as:  MBNA, the DuPont Company, the Delaware Humane Association, The Boy Scouts of America, Bainbridge Elementary School and the University of Delwaware Animal Science Department.  Many of her dog articles have been published.

Pat is a member of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, the Delaware County Kennel Club, the Dog Training Club of Chester County, the Philadelphia Dog Training Club, the American Dog Owners Association, and of course, the American Kennel Club.  She is also a contributor to the AKC Canine Fund, the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and many other dog related groups.  She and her dogs have participated in community events such as Newark Days, Old New Castle Day, and New Castle County's Parks & Recreation events. 

Updated 3/1/08