The Successful Mix, LLC

Pet Behavioral Counseling and Dog Training

Private behavioral counseling personalized to meet the needs of you and your pet.
Appointments made in Rockingham County: Keezletown facility, Virginia (near Harrisonburg).

 
     
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My Pets
 
Dash - adopted as a puppy in 2014 from a VA rescue group. The first day in my home at 9 weeks of age he aggressively attacked Ricki. He lunged forward with a growl and grabbed the fur around her neck. I had to pull him off her. The rescue group told me in their presence he acted like a "normal" puppy. Yes, I'm gullible sometimes too. I kept training him thinking I could "fix" him and that my eyes deceived me. The rescue group led by people I was told were experienced trainers convinced me he had great potential for agility competition. I trained. Dash and I started to compete. He qualified often, obtained titles, we competed at the Masters level. Despite all the work I put into training and behavior modification, Dash became too dangerous with the high arousal levels at competitions. Dash has been retired. Dash loves to play retrieve with his Dad and perform fun tricks for his Mom around the house. We continue to keep him mentally and physically stimulated which is very important for every dog.
 
Ricki-Ricochet - my rebound dog was a 5 month old pup sitting on stray hold at RH SPCA when I met her just days before McKinley died. She is certainly full of herself. From the first moment I met her displaying a huge grin.
Ricki is not the classic "trainer's dog", she's not the dog with natural focus that is a workaholic. Ricki is slow to mature and full of games of her own design. Ricki is easily excited by her environment and over enthusiastic in her greetings.
Finally at 17 months of age she started to show some signs that she might appreciate learning the skills I enjoy teaching. Sometimes I just have to laugh. I think this dog is going to teach me a lot.

Shermy heading for the mat he's been clicker
trained to target
Shermy on his mat. Waiting for his treat.
Shermy running into the carrier and waiting on his
treats before his scheduled Veterinary appointment.
Shermy learning to slither through his
weave poles.
 

The Horses

Fire, Max and Lady coming at ya!
When he was younger, Max and I competed in huntseat.
He celebrated his 33rd birthday on Apr 29, 2014.
Lady practicing her target training.
A useful way to relax her after a tense veterinary procedure.
 

Dogs Waiting at the Bridge

Yukon, the dog who started Karen's adventure
into wanting to help dogs learn to learn, and improve their self-confidence.
Yukon was adopted from the RH SPCA in 1994.
He was a young adult shelter stray.
Aspen, our first Siberian Husky from a re-home situation.
Because it was the traditional way to train, we tried corrections with her.
She gave us a big thumbs down.
When Karen discovered training for treat reinforcement, Aspen was eager to learn.
The sparkle returned to her clear blue eyes.
In the Mast household we definitely miss Aspen's sweet "woo woo".
Nakiska, mixed breed, adopted from RH SPCA in 2001.
She earned a USDAA Starters Jumper title and successfully competed in the Advanced level Jumper class.
Nakiska has passed away, but the lessons she has taught Karen about motivation live on.
 

Kato was an adult shelter stray adopted in February, 2000. He was estimated to be 14-15 years old, maybe older, when he left us on May 12, 2013. Kato established himself for several years as the family couch-potato and household comedian.
In Jan, 2009 - Karen got Kato up off the couch - at approximately 11 yrs of age Kato earned his first qualifying leg in Dog Agility competition in April, 2009.   Nobody can tell this dog he can't learn a new trick!!! Karen understands that there is no way she could have shaped this dog to be trial-ready so quickly without the use of the clicker in her all-positive training preparation.   Karen has learned a lot from her agility instructors about giving the dog clear and timely information. Kato is TITLED now! as of the end of June, 2009 Kato earned his PI Standard Title. Kato earned another Jumpers leg in 2010, and competed in a Veteran's class in the Spring of 2011.     He is pictured here happily doing some low jumps in his teen years to stay fit!
Tunnel fun in the backyard never gets old!    Karen turned her focus to less physically demanding interactions with Kato keeping his mind sharp in his senior years with trick training and fun Nose Work exercises for her comic Siberian!
McKinley was a shy puppy. I used positive and motivational clicker training techniques and successfully competed him in agility to give him a fun outlet for his nervous energy. McKinley has achieved Masters and Champion "Bronze" level titles in USDAA and Elite level titles in NADAC dog agility. He is now my steady barn chore buddy. McKinley continues to have fun doing his form of agility. He is eager to run up a dogwalk ramp to walk back into the house where a step entry is too difficult on a daily basis. McKinley, my heart dog, passed from this life on Nov 12, 2013 at age 15.5 years.
 

Pebbles was an impulsive young dog who wanted to take on the world when she was adopted as an adolescent stray from the RH SPCA in Mar, 2003. Pebbles, an amazing dog, left this world with my heart on Nov 3, 2018 at 16 years.
Pebbles jumping at the 2012 NE Regional competition
Pebbles racing to the end of the dogwalk at the 2012 NE Regional competition
Pebbles' team with Barry Longenecker's Casey and Cliff Anderson's Zaney took Second Place in this very competitive event of 63 teams total. Pebbles placed 3rd individually for Team Events of the 22" jumping dogs. The 22" jump height class is one of the most competitive. There were more than 100 dogs competing on teams in the 22" jump height at this competition In 2013 the team took 3rd place (2nd picture on page) at the Mid-Atlantic Regional event.

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